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Famed Virginia Key Fish House Shut Down For Good

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A landmark Miami bar and smoked-fish house, Jimbo's Place, has officially been shutdown after nearly 60 years in business.

The landmark Virginia Key fish shack and watering hole was closed Monday by the city of Miami.

The closing came at the request of Gail Araujo, representing the owner, James "Jimbo" Luznar, the city said.

Araujo, Luznar's daughter, asked the city to secure the site to keep the public out while the family removes mementos and personal belongings, the city said.

Jimbo's lured visitors with its shrimp and affordable ice-cold beers since the early 1950s. Over the years it has served as a backdrop for movies and television shows from Flipper in the 1960s to Dexter today.

Last year, swank men's magazine Esquire voted it one of the best bars in America.

However, its power was cut off after a December 2009 electrical fire. Jimbo's remained open on generator power, and customers could still sit outside enjoying the shrimp, smoked fish and cheap beer that were the mainstays of Jimbo's menu.

Araujo made the final decision to close Jimbo's. She told CBS4 News partner The Miami Herald last week that stress related to the lack of improvements at the site had caused health issues for both her parents. Her father is set to turn 85 this year.

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report.)

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