Aqua Grill celebrated its 35th anniversary Sunday, April 23, and an overflowing crowd turned out to join in the festivities. In fact, every parking spot and nearly every seat was occupied.
The popular restaurant served a mouth-watering buffet, 100% complimentary to the longtime friends and customers who attended. Meanwhile, the band Vox performed classic rock on the back patio.
And Cary Paige, managing partner, took a moment to marvel at the long success of the restaurant he launched with Cary Hart in 1988.
“I’m amazed that we’re still here,” he confessed, but quickly revealed one of the reasons for Aqua Grill’s longevity. “We never opened this restaurant thinking it was just a restaurant. We wanted to be a part of something bigger and be a part of the community.”
In fact, Aqua Grill is known for its willingness to “pay it forward.” Even at Sunday’s celebration, that generosity was front and center.
“We’re donating proceeds to Mission House, a wonderful cause,” Paige said. That included all drink proceeds and whatever was generated via a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. Mission House seeks to help the homeless in the Beaches community.
Paige said Aqua Grill is always seeking to get better.
“We’re only as good as yesterday’s meal,” he said.
Even so, the restaurant’s success is due to something more than just the food it serves.
“It’s about creating an experience,” Paige said. “Becoming family with the community, family and friends. The people here are not just customers and guests. They’re friends.”
In fact, many of the customers have been loyal to Aqua Grill for decades. Even former employees visit to say hi and reminisce.
“Never beyond my wildest imagination could we have picked a better location or a better community to set down roots,” Paige said.
