I get the willies* when I go by 1009 W. San Carlos at Lincoln and see Coconut Willie’s. It has looked like this since August 15th of 2004. A two-alarm fire shut down the cocktail lounge when it suffered an estimated $650,000 in damages. Back then the San Jose Fire Department offered a $500 reward for information. Has that amount been adjusted for inflation?

It was reported that then owner Ron Lucatelli would reopen within 6 months. I would be interested in knowing if Mr. Lucatelli still owns the property; if so does he have plans to rebuild. My attempts to reach Mr. Lucatelli have gone unanswered. Is the City of San Jose OK with this mess?

*willies - 1896, “spell of nervousness,” perhaps from the woollies,