Local burger joint BurgerQuE is taking a break to rebuild its staff.
BurgerQuE, located at 1220 W. University Ave., closed its doors Oct. 26 due to management concerns, said Tim Mankin, the owner of the restaurant. Mankin said he felt the staff was not as efficient as his employees at the two locations in Fort Myers because of a rushed start. The restaurant will open again in January, he said.
“This location’s going to be kind of like bringing my first one out,” he said. “It takes time for things to develop.”
Mankin said he believes the store, which debuted in November 2015, will continue to thrive as development along University Avenue grows.
For Martha Wilson, 19, a loyal BurgerQuE customer-turned-employee, eating at the restaurant is an easy choice.
“If I was leaving the house looking for food, I would know where I was going,” the Gainesville resident said.
When Wilson first walked into BurgerQuE, she said the experience was heavenly. The smell and look of the burger restaurant drew her in.
“I’ve never actually seen anything like it,” she said. “Regardless of ever working there… I would be this excited about it.”
Wilson said she has faith Mankin will make the restaurant successful, despite increased competition along University Avenue.
“He’s going to make it work,” Wilson said confidently. “Something about him makes you know he’s going to figure it out. It’ll be nothing but up from here.”
