- May 9, 2024
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Ormond Beach restaurant Dimitri’s Bar Deck and Grill has been facing some obstacles during their off-season.
BY EMILY BLACKWOOD | STAFF WRITER
Dimitri Bourtzakis is frustrated.
Whether it’s fighting for business during the rainy off-season or keeping the noise level down to please his surrounding neighbors, Bourtzakis has a lot on his plate.
Owner of Dimitri’s Bar Deck and Grill, on 790 S. Atlantic Ave., Bourtzakis said his six-month battle for the city’s approval for live music has barely been worth it with the number of daily complaints he receives — even when his music isn’t on.
“I had people calling me threatening to call the city if I don’t turn it down,” Bourtzakis said. “I was like ‘I don’t even have my music on today! What are you talking about?’ They are listening to the music from down the street, thinking it is mine.”
Bourtzakis was talking about Riptides Raw Bar and Grill. The owner of the restaurant could not be reached for comment.
“They have outdoor seating and live music pretty much every day over there,” Bourtzakis said. “They are blaming it on me. I don’t want to be that guy, but I went through the whole thing. I’ve paid over $2,000 and got my licenses. I went through six months of hell, and when I finally got it, they put so many restrictions on me that I can’t even have more than a half a decibel. I’m getting penalized even though I paid my dues.”
Rain, rain, go away
The weather has also been penalizing Bourtzakis’ business.
“The season’s not here, and the weather isn’t helping out,” Bourtzakis said. “Maybe we can catch a break. When it stays like this today and yesterday, nobody comes out. We’re trying to keep it open all year long to keep everyone happy.”
Despite the difficulties he has experienced during this off-season, Bourtzakis hopes to get everything cleared up before the tourists start rolling in.
“I’m just frustrated,” Bourtzakis said. “I want to help the city, and I want to be with them, but there has to be some common courtesy to everyone.”
