Artie Guy can’t say why he originally bought Steamers in 2000.
A regular, Guy would begin with an order of spice-infused, loose-meat sandwiches. Then he switched to the fried rice, and then — after a move or two away from Gainesville — came the title: Artie Guy, owner of Steamers.
Now, 15 years after purchasing the Indonesian-inspired restaurant, selling it and watching it close, he’s bringing it back.
“It’s like trying to bring something up from the dead,” said Guy, a 45-year-old Gainesville native.
Steamers’ revival will feature favorites — coconut curries, spicy fried rice and its hamburger-like steamed sandwich, known as “The Steamer.” The quick-stop eatery will open at the former Lunchbox location downtown this spring.
“It’s rare that you find a restaurant that gives you such generous portions and uses such bold flavors in their recipes,” said Jacob Ludin, a UF alumnus and soon-to-be medical student.
Ludin, 23, called it an institution.
But in 2005, Guy sold Steamers. He traded the fluorescent lights for Florida sunshine, lured away to a farm in LaCrosse by a girlfriend and a desire to grow his own tempeh.
When he sold the restaurant, he started Artie’s Tempeh.
“When are you going to reopen Steamers?” is a question he’s heard since Steamers’ closure in 2011.
“Somehow that controlled my destiny to a degree,” Guy said. “I’m very grateful for the responses, but I’m also challenged to make sure I pull this off.”
Guy and his partner James Thurston will continue the tempeh business while working at the restaurant.
The Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency helped in the city’s selection process to fill the downtown spot.
“We decided to go with Steamers because Artie Guy has a tremendous amount of experience,” said Nathalie McCrate, an agency project manager.
The Bo Diddley Community Plaza construction will not interfere with the restaurant, which will have a soft opening soon, Guy said.
[A version of this story ran on page 5 on 3/19/2015 under the headline “Steamers owner to reopen restaurant after 10 years gone ”]
Pictured is the historic Bethel Station building on 104 SE First Ave., which housed the Lunchbox restaurant until December.
