Bradenton landmark Council’s Burgers, closed during the pandemic, now has a new owner
On the market for the past year, the venerable downtown landmark Council’s Burger once again has a new owner.
Also known as Council’s, Beer and Billiards, Council’s Bradenton Recreation, or simply Council’s, the pool hall and burger joint at 536 12th St. W. has long been a favorite of the downtown lunch crowd.
Lisa Burgess bought Council’s from Kimberly Duffy and Sandi Wagner, who also own two Toasted Mango Cafes in Sarasota.
Tuesday, the familiar signage had been removed from the front entrance, although the back door still read “Burgers Beers & Billiards” in stenciled letters. A hand-written sign read “Council’s closed until further notice.”
Jason D’Agostino of Preferred Shore Commercial of Sarasota, who represented sellers Duffy and Wagner, said it is his understanding that Burgess plans to operate something similar to what has historically been Council’s but with some updating.
What better time to do renovations than when the restaurant is already closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, D’Agostino said.
Duffy and Wagner, who bought Council’s in 2017, said in 2019 that it was a tough decision to put the property on the market.
“We think maybe Council’s is more fit for a working owner,” Duffy previously said. “We hope the new owner will love it as much as we do and be the new Lawton.”
Lawton Smith closed Council’s in 2016, saying that it was too much work for him to continue operating, managing and hand-making each burger.
“I don’t want to. It’s a sad thing, but I just can’t do it anymore,” Smith said at the time. “Council’s needs young blood. It needs a shot of young, and I’m hoping someone will step up and want to take it over. I would love to hear a year from now that those people who took over Council’s are doing a heck of a lot better than I ever did. It would put a smile on my face.”
Council’s is named after Lawton Smith’s father, Council Smith, who opened the restaurant in 1936, about a block or two away from its current location. In 1954, he moved it to its present location, across the street from the Historic Manatee County Courthouse. Lawton Smith took over operations in the 1970s.
“There’s a difference between myself and having a bigger operation where there are 30 to 40 employees,” Smith said in 2016 at age 65. “If someone calls in, you have plenty who can cover. But I have to be here all the time and I just can’t do it anymore.”
The Bradenton Herald was unable to reach Burgess for comment on her plans for Council’s.
