Hurricane Alley Owner Fights to Preserve Florida's Essence During Relocation

A New Chapter for Hurricane Alley

Hurricane Alley Raw Bar and Restaurant, a beloved establishment in Boynton Beach, is preparing for a significant change. The restaurant will soon see “moving” signs on its doors as the building it currently occupies on East Ocean Avenue is set to be demolished. Owner Kim Kelly has plans to relocate nearby and start fresh, but many wonder if the restaurant’s old charm will fade as the area continues to grow.

The developer behind the demolition, Affiliated Development, is working closely with Kelly to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. The project involves building a new two-story restaurant for Kelly across the street from Bud’s Chicken and Seafood. Kelly expressed her confidence in the process, saying, “They’re working with us to make it as quick and painless as possible.”

The demolition will make way for The Pierce, a 525,000-square-foot mixed-use project in downtown Boynton Beach. This development, led by Fort Lauderdale-based Affiliated Development, will include 300 apartments, a parking garage with 150 public spaces, and 17,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space along Ocean Avenue and Federal Highway.

Jeff Burns, CEO and co-founder of Affiliated Development, mentioned that the project will cost $105 million and take 21 months to complete. Construction is expected to break ground at the end of 2025 and be completed in 2027. The project is currently under permit review with the city’s Building Department, and Burns hopes to secure permits in the coming months.

Transforming Downtown Boynton Beach

The Pierce is one of several projects aimed at transforming Boynton Beach into a bustling hotspot. Burns sees the city’s active developments as a community effort rather than competition. He believes that the city has been working to revamp the downtown district for years, and it is finally coming to fruition.

“A rising tide lifts all boats,” he added, emphasizing that the goal is to make East Boynton Beach a destination for people to live, work, and play. The developer has agreements with both business owners for the transition, but Hurricane Alley is the only one included in the redevelopment plan.

Once the construction timeline is set, the developer will notify the two active businesses, Hurricane Alley and Ocean Food Mart Grill and Deli. The demolition will also take down two vacant storefronts on the land. However, Dewey Park on the lot, owned by the city, will remain untouched.

A Fresh Start for Hurricane Alley

The new Hurricane Alley will feature a central bar, outdoor patios on two floors, and a more spacious layout to accommodate the growing business. According to the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s website, the buildings set to be knocked down were initially purchased by Harvey E. Oyer Jr. in 1977. In 2021, they were sold to the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency for $3.6 million. In June 2025, Affiliated Development acquired the property.

Kelly, 63, has her fingers crossed that the transition will be complete by the end of 2026. She has been involved in the design process to ensure the new location feels original to her. The developer let her put her twist on the design so the space feels like home.

Embracing Growth and Change

Kelly expressed concern about losing customers and staff during construction, as starting over is something she cannot afford. Burns explained that construction will begin on the north side, where the new restaurant is planned, and progress south to her current spot. This phased approach allows her to stay open and minimize downtime.

Once the new location is finished, Kelly can move in, and demolition can proceed on the current Hurricane Alley and Ocean Food Mart sites. Burns emphasized that working with Kelly was a priority from day one, stating, “When we go into a community that isn’t ours, it’s important that we embrace the folks that made it what it is.”

Looking Ahead

Kelly has been waiting for downtown redevelopment like this to plop on the map since her restaurant opened in 1996. The building she rents was built in 1922, according to the property appraiser’s website. She said her current space requires constant upkeep, including redoing the floor yearly for the past 20 years to preserve the historic Miami-Dade County pine wood.

Despite the challenges, Kelly remains optimistic about the future. She plans to move all the memorabilia and decor to her new spot, ensuring the Florida Keys vibe remains intact. The new location on Boynton Beach Boulevard is part of the city’s plan to revamp the area as a main street, making it more attractive to locals and tourists.

New developments in Boynton Beach are expected to help businesses like Hurricane Alley thrive. For example, The Villages by Edgewater Capital Investments, a nearby active construction project, is scheduled to be finished by 2027. Kelly believes these developments could bring in regular customers who live in the rental units.

Balancing Tradition and Progress

Across the road from the current Hurricane Alley is 500 Ocean, a mixed-use development built in 2018 with 341 luxury apartments. Despite these developments, Kelly said the area is slowly starting to feel “caved in,” especially with many vacant units like those at 500 Ocean.

“Am I going to be sad to see it torn down? Of course,” Kelly said. But with her two sons working there, she has to plan for the restaurant’s future and avoid leaving them an aging building that needs constant upkeep.

“A lot of people say, ‘It’s not going to be the same. You’re not going to get this old charm.’ Well, of course it’s a new building, but it’s the person who puts the charm into it, not the building itself,” Kelly said.