The Southern on 8th is a new restaurant coming to Downtown Clermont at the corner of 8th and Montrose (formerly 801 City Grille). The building is currently being renovated.
Local resident and business owners Darren Johnson and partners Richard and Michelle Formato plan to have the new restaurant opened in December.
Richard will be the executive chef, offering a mix of contemporary southern cuisine: a cross between Charleston, New Orleans and Birmingham.
Richard is very familiar with the restaurant business. When he was only 8 years old, he started working at the same location for his brother Lou Formato. Long-time residents may remember the historic building as Bob’s Bar. It was purchased in the early 1980s by Lou Formato, Richard’s brother, and renamed Tiffany’s Elegant Dining, later renamed LJ Grunts. It was sold in the 1900s to Alan and Katherine Pool and renamed 801 City Grille. Richard also worked at the Rusty Fox (currently the Elks Club on 12th Street) which his brother also owned. Richard and Michelle are the owners of Appletree, Inc.
Darren and Karen Johnson are no strangers to Clermont. Darren has lived in Clermont for over 25 years. His wife Karen (McGuire ) Johnson has lived in Clermont her entire life. The two are very familiar with the restaurant/ bar business. Darren has worked for over 35 years is planning mega-events (parties) for the Fortune 500. Moreover, the couple has owned and operated three bars/restaurants, one in Clermont called the Clermont Pier House from 2000-2005.
A few years ago, Darren and Karen purchased a building on DeSoto St. in downtown Clermont which they named Clermont Brewing Company (CBC). Now, a favorite spot for night life.
Darren recently started construction of the Clermont Woodhouse Day Spa, located next to Victory Pointe at the corner of Osceola and West Avenues, across from the Clermont Historic Village. He also is planning a hotel, Victory Coast Hotel, which will be located close to the spa.
Johnson has submitted a plan and if approved by Clermont City Council, Johnson will build Clermont Victory Coast Events Center, on Lake Minneola.
