Long before the sizzle of bacon and clattering of plates permeated the building, the sounds coming from inside were those of engines, tools, and machinery.
The building that today houses both John Ski’s House of Breakfast and Lunch and Downtown Gatorz began its life not as a restaurant, but as part of Punta Gorda’s working automotive past.
The structure at 502 King St. in Punta Gorda was originally built nearly 100 years ago for Cerny’s Garage and Machine Shop, also known as Punta Gorda Machine Works…