Deerfield-News.com-Deerfield Beach, Fl-Cohen’s located inside of Century Village at 2410 Century Boulevard near the main pool has closed up shop. Seems Cen- Club the association that controls the property has decided to make a change. Originally back in 1974 the restaurant was “Irv and Joe’s” and was successful for many years. Over the course of 46 years unfortunately it has changed hands many times. Cen-Club explains the entire situation below.
Updated -9-18-
Dear Residents, The following message is being sent on behalf of the CenClub Recreation Management Board of Directors.
To the residents of Century Village East, please accept this communication from the CenClub Recreation Management Board as an effort to assuage the confusion and gossip regarding the change in operators for the restaurant here in our Village. CenClub inherited the responsibilities for the management and operations from the prior owner, CVRF Deerfield Limited. CVRF was a remote operator and not a resident of CVE, they secured the Cohens’ as the operator for the restaurant and had a lease in force with Cohen’s B&D, Inc. to operate the restaurant for the residents of CVE. CenClub assumed this lease at the closing on December 31, 2019; that lease expired in March 2020. A new two-year lease was offered to Cohen’s B&D beginning April 2020 and Cohen’s B&D failed to sign the renewal they were offered. This created a situation of great concern for the CenClub Board because we want a restaurant on property. Being residents of CVE, it is our sincere desire to have a restaurant on property for every residents’ use, including our own. Several of the Board members frequented the diner, some daily, and we plan to continue doing so once a new operator is secured. During a recent meeting, a majority of the Board voted to give notice to Cohen’s D&B due to their nonrenewal of the lease and a desire to offer more and varied food service options to the residents. The notice given to the Cohens would have extended well past the upcoming holidays allowing them to continue with their plans for the Rosh Hashana dinner, honoring the reservations already made. It was the Cohens’ decision to leave within a week, prior to the dinner, stating they did not want the thirty-day notice offered. The Cenclub Board acknowledges the Cohens made a contribution to our community: they proved the value of having a restaurant on property and the need for a relaxed meeting place for friends, a place to bring family or other visitors, and a simple dining option for those who need it. However, they repeatedly scoffed at attempts by the Recreation Committee and the CenClub Board to offer more, varied, additional or less expensive dining options saying, “that will never work or it would not work for them based on cost”. The community deserves an operator who will do their best to bring variety to the menu offerings and cost savings, as well as maintaining the regular menu options we all enjoy repeatedly. The Board is considering a couple of options for the replacement restaurant operator. Nothing has been finalized to date. We are in complete agreement with those residents who have said they want a restaurant on property, and we will work diligently to make this happen as quickly as possible. It is a recognized, popular amenity for our community, both for those residents who cannot get off property to go to a restaurant, and for those of us who simply enjoy having a “neighborhood” spot to sit with friends and visit over a nice breakfast or lunch. The Board wants an operator who will also offer a dinner menu a few nights each week, meal deliveries, a takeout cooler for pre-made meals, theme dinners, cook-outs and other options that will appeal to a larger number of residents. This was a business decision, based on lengthy discussions, consideration of the community’s needs, and a desire to find an operator who could bring more to the community through a multitude of new options and ideas. We understand that several residents are holding gift cards or certificates from Cohens’ Bagel and Deli, be assured CenClub will honor those either through service at the restaurant with the new operator or with a check when presented to the CenClub office.
Thank you.
Mike Burdman Executive Director Bay Management – Century Village 2400 Century Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
