TASTE OF THE TREASURE COAST
10
Sound, says Councilman. A bank vault was installed in the
speakeasy, but Councilman says she couldn’t imagine why the
Ashleys would rob a place they were supplying with whiskey.
Today, the vault serves as the restaurant’s wine cellar.
The original Café Martier was located in Delray Beach, but
when their landlord raised the rent, the owners closed and
searched for a new location until they found Stuart’s Post Office
Arcade building. It was the perfect location, but it needed
work to return to its 1920s elegance. The owners spent more
than nine months, seven days a week, and $700,000 to open
the restaurant last March. A pipe burst and part of the floor
had to be dug up. All 473 sprinkler heads were replaced and
all nine air conditioning units were repaired or replaced. “We
did everything we could to preserve and restore this building
to 1925 while bringing it up to code,” says Councilman.
She had some help. Councilman believes the ghost of Lettie
Dugan, who once ran a shop in the arcade, warns her about
things that might break. One morning all of the knives on an
18-seat table were pointing toward the wall, she says. Soon
after this discovery, a power surge killed the oven on the
other side of the wall. Councilman replaced it with two brand
new ovens. (As Councilman related this story, Lettie may
have been listening. The wall sconce light flickered while she
was talking, like a scene out of a Stephen King movie.)
Café Martier feels open but also has distinct rooms, each >>
A Butcher Shoppe & a bit more...
Whether you are entertaining guests or feeding your family, our products
will satisfy the most discerning palate, come in and taste the difference.
• Fresh Amish Turkey available for the Holiday (pre-order)
• Pasture/Farm raised, Antibiotic Free, No Hormones
• Full line of Certified Black Angus Beef,
Pork, Poultry, Domestic Lamb, Duck & more
• Steaks Dry Aged On Site & Cut To Order • Hand Pumped
Sausages - Cheese/Parsley, Kielbasa, Bratwurst, Italian,
Breakfast • Beef, Ground Fresh Daily & Hand Pressed Patties
• Delicious Prepared Meals for 2+
Michelle, the owner & lifelong resident of Vero,
takes great pride in being the ONLY retailer to
carry the prestigious Certified Black Angus Label.
772.794.0040 • 709 17th Street, Vero Beach, Florida 32960
GREG GARDNER
Café Martier co-owners Lisa Councilman and Erica Watkins often greet diners
under the chandelier in the wine garden.