Boynton Beach restaurant Driftwood closed with a final dinner service on Sunday, following the death of co-owner and chef Ilia Gonzalez on Oct. 14.
The restaurant announced its closure over the weekend with a post Driftwood by chef, co-owner, and Gonzalez’s husband, Jimmy Everett, to Driftwood’s social media channels. The message recounted the couple’s engagement on a beach in Tulum and the founding of Driftwood, a restaurant rooted in valuing local producers and fishermen and bringing the community together through food. The decision to close, Everett said in the post, was not an easy one.
“I’ve had to come to terms with a reality I never imagined facing. Without Ilia by my side, navigating the challenges of running Driftwood has become increasingly difficult,” the post reads. “I’ve spent a great deal of time reflecting on what is best for my family and what the future needs to look like. As much as I wish things were different, I’ve come to the painful realization that continuing to operate Driftwood is no longer possible. Closing the restaurant is an incredibly difficult decision, but one I know I have to make.”
A GoFundMe has been set up support Everett and his family, as well as the Driftwood staff. Donations can be made here. As of this writing, more than $64,000 has been raised for the fund, which is targeting $100,000. On Nov. 12, Swank Specialty Produce will host a dinner benefitting the Everett family. Tickets can be purchased here.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we built. Driftwood was never perfect, but it was real,” the post continues. “This dream never would have come to be without the intense love that was shared between myself and Ilia. Driftwood was built on that love, passion, hard work, relationships, and a belief that food brings people together. I will always be grateful for the people who walked through our doors, celebrated milestones with us, supported our team, and made Driftwood what it was.”
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