The Kapok Tree Inn opened in 1958 in Clearwater, Florida.
During its prime in the 1960s, it was described as one of the most over-the-top restaurants in the country and featured twelve different themed dining rooms, each adorned with a massive chandelier. Scattered throughout the building and garden were dozens of Roman statues, waterfalls and exotic plants. It was so popular that two other locations were opened in Fort Lauderdale and Madeira Beach. We featured their sister restaurant, the Peter Pan Inn, on this page last year.
When it closed in 1991, a portion of the property was taken over as a Sam Ash Music Store. The other portion was renamed the Kapok Special Events Center and continues to be used as a wedding venue. Unfortunately, Sam Ash closed its doors last year and remains abandoned.
I’ve included photos of its liquidation sale compared 1960s postcards. I’ve also included a before and after shot of the famous Kapok tree on the front lawn, which dates back to the 1870s.
