The Hurricane Club To Become “La Cantina”
Wildwood’s downtown has undergone a wave of changes in recent years, especially around the bustling intersection of Pacific and Schellenger Avenues.
In just the last five years, landmarks like Neil’s Steakhouse, The Stardust Nightclub, 2nd Street Annie’s, Exit 4 Bar, The Shamrock Beef & Ale, The Fairview, and The Harbor Inn have all disappeared from the map.
The Hurricane Club To Become “La Cantina”
Neil’s and Stardust made way for parking lots, 2nd Street Annie’s and The Fairview became Seaport Suites, The Shamrock is being turned into condos, and The Harbor Inn is now set to become Sandy Boots.
Yet amidst all this transformation, one business remains untouched—the historic Hurricane Club.
Built in 1965 during the massive music scene in the Wildwoods, tons of famous performers played here from Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Drifters and the Coasters to just name a few.
Over the years the club scene changed and so did the Hurricane Club as it transitioned into a Bikini club in its later years.
The pandemic caused quite an issue for the club and shortly after it closed its doors for good with not much fanfare.
Many thought it would be torn down since it was sitting there empty but the building will be getting a reprieve.
After being sold recently, the Hurricane Night Club will soon be transformed into La Cantina, a Tex/Mex restaurant that promises to bring a whole new experience to the Wildwoods. And don’t worry—the building’s unique charm is here to stay!
Big Changes, But with a Nod to the Past
We caught up with the new owner, Florian Furxhiu, who also operates two other successful Wildwood restaurants, Santorini and Venezia, to learn more about what’s in store for La Cantina.
First things first—no, the building won’t be demolished, but it will get a major facelift!
“I am not demolishing the building, but I will give it a very beautiful facelift. I will open up the front walls and add big glass garage doors, which are going to stay open in good weather, with lots of greenery and flowers outside,” Furxhiu told us.
Sounds like a great way to keep the building’s nostalgic feel while bringing in some modern upgrades, right? But that’s not all. Inside, La Cantina will have a unique vibe that will make you feel like you’ve escaped to a tropical paradise—right here in Wildwood!
“It will be an exotic-themed place, something that will make people feel like they are vacationing in the tropics. It’s going to be a little vintage looking with some modern touches that will mix to create a great vibe,” he explained.
And for those of you who love Wildwood’s party atmosphere, you’ll be happy to hear this—there are plans for DJ/live music on the weekends, and the possibility of a Latin night during the week. “I want to make this a very fun place,” he said.
Also See: Madison Resorts: A New Era for Wildwood Crest’s Iconic Shoreline
A Personal Touch for Wildwood’s Revitalization
For Furxhiu, La Cantina is about more than just opening another restaurant—it’s part of his effort to contribute to Wildwood’s ongoing revitalization. He shared with us why he decided to take on the project and his vision for the island’s future.
“The reason I decided to open another restaurant in Wildwood is because ever since I opened Santorini close to 4 years ago and then Venezia, the locals, second homeowners, and vacationers have been very supportive of what I’ve done with my first two restaurants, especially the City Administration and so many public servants who have been extremely helpful,” he said.
He’s passionate about helping Wildwood transform, one building at a time. “Since Wildwood is going through a big revitalization, I just want to contribute to this process by taking old buildings and making them beautiful, which will be the case for the Hurricane building.”
But that’s not all—he hinted that there are even more projects in the pipeline that will further transform Wildwood in the near future. Stay tuned!
Will La Cantina Be Open Year-Round?
We asked the big question—will La Cantina be open year-round? The owner is considering it, but he hasn’t made any final decisions just yet. If you ask us, Wildwood could definitely use more year-round spots!
La Cantina is set to bring a fresh new vibe to Wildwood while preserving the history of the beloved Hurricane Night Club. With its tropical theme, fun atmosphere, and delicious Tex/Mex menu, it’s sure to become a must-visit spot on the island.
As we are heading into the fall, the Wildwood Video Archive will be sure to include La Cantina into the monthly Wildwoods Construction Update videos.
Our latest video is exploring the new Madison Resorts in Wildwood Crest. You can watch that video below (and please subscribe as we try to hit 100,000 subscribers)