Chamber hears about future of SCBR, holds ribbon-cutting

T h e S a n i b e l & C a p t i v a I s l a n d s C h a m b e r o f

Commerce held its first on-island business luncheon since Hurricane Ian on Feb 22 at the Old Captiva House at the 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva

Following the meeting, the resort conducted tours of its two new restaurants' construction site, and the chamber held a ribbon-cutting for the Offshore Sailing School at the marina

“Despite the destruction, in 2022 we had the best year ever,” Doug Babcock, president and chief executive officer with Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts, which manages 'Tween Waters and additional properties and vacation rentals on the islands, said

He reported that although SCBR lost use of many of its units, the Old Captiva House and other 'Tween Waters facilities fared well

“It was almost like there’s a bubble over this property,” Babcock said

During the meeting, he talked about the resort's improvements that began before the hurricane and are going forward 'Tween Waters is adding a second floor to the original Crow's Nest The Shipyard will occupy the first floor with a wharf theme, possibly serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The new Crow's Nest upstairs will serve as a fine-dining steakhouse, sushi bar and whiskey bar with views of the Gulf of Mexico and reservationsonly seating for dinner Both venues are set to open April 1

As far as other SCBR properties, the West Wind Inn hopes to open 104 rooms by January 2026 The firm is in the early planning stage for the next generation of Castaways and Beachview cottage resorts

“We are optimistic about the future,” Babcock said “We are committed to being part of the recovery ”

In 2021, SCBR contributed more than $175 million to the local economy. He and board Chairman Tony Lapi attribute SCBR's success to its strong and loyal employee base and to long-seated traditions

Lapi led a Traditions & Trivia game session at the luncheon, awarding prizes to attending chamber members who could recall tidbits of 'Tween Waters history

“Tony himself is an important part of island history, having acquired the then 'Tween Waters Inn back in the mid-1970s,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said “'Tween Waters has supported the chamber for 15 years We can't do what we do without them We really tip our hats to Tony and Doug ”

Also at the meeting, Lai announced that Islands Night will return on May 3 He presented Bank of the Islands President Robbie Roepstorff with an award acknowledg-

See CHAMBER, page 3

ABOVE:

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce held a chamber ribbon-cutting on Feb. 22 to celebrate the Offshore Sailing School's reopening at the 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva

LEFT:

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai presents Bank of the Islands President Robbie Roepstorff with an award of gratitude at the business luncheon meeting on Feb 22 for the bank's post-hurricane support