Two years ago, many counted Fort Myers Beach out After Hurricane Ian left 16 dead on the island, hundreds of structures destroyed people left homeless longtime businesses washed away and a town facing financial uncertainty – there was reason to doubt its future
Ye t t h e t o w n s p e o p l e re m a i n e d re s i l i e n t , rebuilt and with some internal determination from its residents and some outside assistance through the worst of times, there is more than just hope on the horizon There are tangible signs that Fort Myers Beach is rejuvenating
After being closed for more than a year the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School reopened in December after undergoing renovations to repair damage from Hurricane Ian
The town is in the midst of a $21 7 million beach renourishment project following completion of a large-scale sand haul project
Many businesses have since reopened on their same properties, while some old businesses are being replaced with new ones such as at Times Square Santini Plaza the town s main commercial center, is nearing the completion of its repairs with plans to welcome in new tenants while welcoming back old ones Many properties are in the process of rebuilding such as The Whale Restaurant, while others are put-
ting the finishing touches on repairs such as the Lani Kai Island Resort Developers are betting on the future for Fort M y e
Development have all proposed massive redevelopment projects on the island from hotels to large condo towers Those all still face hurdles in planning reviews and concerns from residents about the scale of the proposals
“As we approach the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian, it is evident how far the community has come in such a short time,” Fort
Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak said “While no one could have envisioned what recovering from a disaster like Ian would be like, the fortitude and determination that I see exhibited by residents and businesses is powerful ”
Liszak said there are a lot of positive signs with many rebuilding projects throughout the town “The momentum is building and creating an atmosphere that lifts everyone up,” she said “Businesses continue to invest in Fort Myers Beach by renovating and reopening e x i s t
a s i n g p ro p e r t y t o build new buildings and supporting the residential and nonprofit community ” Building back
Few businesses still standing on Fort Myers Beach were hit as hard as Salty Sam’s Marina, as dozens of boats crashed through the docks of the iconic San Carlos Island marina The Original Shrimp Dock Bar & Grill took a beating but owners plan to replace it with a new business – Marina Cantina Tin Tiki
For more than a year, the marina has been able to put back into operation its famed Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, the Pirate Cruise, Sight Sea-R Cruises and its rental boat fleet
A visit to the property and it looks like almost nothing happened “ B u s
How far we’ve come
September 28, 2022, was the longest day most of us have lived through as Hurricane Ian crawled across Southwest Florida so slowly that there were moments it seemed like he d never leave
As you read this, more than 730 days have passed since that fateful day In the powerless days after Ian, time was measured by the sun in the sky When the lights came back on residents plowed into recovery so completely that the days became a blur for many
The pace of that recovery was and is largely a matter of geography, with those of us closest to our coasts facing the longest road back to normalcy
A drive through Sanibel recently reinforced that perspective If you were on Sanibel just after Ian, you’ll never forget the near-lunar landscape that replaced the tropical paradise But enter town now, via Periwinkle Way, and
renewed landscaping and re-growing greenery But if you loop along the gulf drives on the southern coast of the island, you’ll still see plenty of reminders of the brutal power of nature and the challenges left in its wake
MEssagE
fRoM thE PublishER
Of course, those challenges will be met, just with a longer timeline And that s what this special section, coming now two years A I (After Ian), is all about A pause to take stock of how far we’ve come – as individuals, as communities and as a region And as a reminder of the work that s left ahead
That work isn’t just on Sanibel, obviously On Fort Myers Beach, Pine Island, Captiva and
FORT MYERS BEACH
several of the smaller barrier islands, the story is the same There are signs of remarkable re s i l i e n c e a n d p ro g re s s , o f t e n a l o n g s i d e reminders of inconceivable devastation and heartache But, little by little and day by day, the former are starting to outnumber the latter Such a long and arduous journey doesn’t come without a toll Hurricane Ian took nearly 50 lives in Lee County but it changed the course of every life For some, that meant losing a home or a business or a livelihood For others, it meant an opportunity for new challenges, new ventures and new growth
If you are lucky enough at this point to consider Ian as something that is behind you, please consider helping our island communities get to that point by putting a few dollars into their economies, which still have a long way to go to regain their pre-Ian luster A visit to these islands for shopping, dining or some beach time can provide a great bridge between then and now
Ray Eckenrode is the publisher of Breeze Newspapers He moved to Cape Coral in 2019 and Hurricane Ian was his first hurricane experience
Pink Shell bounces back
We are grateful that we have a lot of loyal guests and supporters that endured some of the reconstruction pains with us and made us a better and more beautiful resort ”
FORT MYERS BEACH – FROM PAGE 4A
M a r i n a M a r k e t i n g D i re c t o r Ry a n Va n -
Denabeale said
The one key indicator that something did happen is the large crane and the massive re b u i l d i n g e ff o r t o n t h e d o c k s t h a t w e re destroyed
Right now we have a barge team in the marina laying out our new docks D-dock is 90% finished with power and water being installed soon Then the crew will begin building out C-dock and B-dock It feels amazing to see the marina returning to its pre-hurricane glory," VanDenabeale said
Once the docks are complete, VanDenabeale expects a lot of demand for wet storage for boats at the marina He said there is currently a waiting list to use the docks
Our second restaurant now called Marina Cantina Tin Tiki, will be opening back up b e f o re s e a s o n s t a r t s i n a f e w m o n t h s , ”
VanDenabeale said
“The entire Salty Sam’s team has pitched in to bring the property back to life and we couldn’t be more proud of everyone involved ”
One of the proudest mainstays of Fort Myers Beach has been the iconic Lani Kai Island
The entire Salty Sam’s team has pitched in to bring the property back to life and we couldn’t be more proud of everyone involved ”
RyaN VaNDeNabeale
MaRketiNg DiRectoR Salty SaM’S MaRiNa
Resort – which has been in operation for more than 45 years since being constructed by Bob Conidaris The resort took in a lot of water from Hurricane Ian but survived intact Their beach bar has reopened and they have been offering an affordable menu with bar-to-
beach service with beach furniture and watersports rentals
The Conidaris family has been working hard on the rebuild “Every square inch of our property is being rebuilt off of the beautiful and structurally sound Old Florida structure Bob Conidaris built back, Lani Kai Island Resort Marketing Director Melissa Schneider It s been immense work, many ups and downs, juggling many projects at once to ensure everything is done right and done well We are proud of all we ' ve accomplished so far, and plan to continue our decades-long tradition of offering friends and families a fun, unique, laid back and unpretentious place people of all ages and walks of life can enjoy time on the beach with each other, or make new friends
The resort is hoping to reopen before the new year Schneider said the Lani Kai family is “so grateful for the continued love and support that we have received from decades of friends and past guests from near and far Their kind words of encouragement, sharing photos of their past trips with us, and support through our merchandise, has really pushed us through
Now Then&
FORT MYERS BEACH – FROM
some very difficult times, and we can t wait to show them all what our family has been working on – and immensely improving upon –since that awful storm ”
If there was an award for the hotel that was able to open up quickest despite taking on tens
o f m
Hurricane Ian, it would be the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina
Despite $85 million in damage, the resort was open a little more than a month after Hurricane Ian for emergency responders and has since completely rebuilt and renovated all 92 units in the main building The Captiva and Sanibel View building has also undergone a
adults-only pool with a small waterfall and hot tub, along with a new Captiva Pool Deck with a lounge pool and hot tub
Managing partner Rob Boykin and General Manager Bill Waichulis touted some other new features including a new rental cabana completed with TVs, seating area, lounge chairs, fridge and a safe Food and beverage offerings have expanded by adding Bob’s Beach Bar which sits right on the beach The activities department is back in full operation with kids and family activities as well as a new nature
We are proud of all we ’ ve accomplished so far, and plan to continue our decades-long tradition of offering friends and families a fun, unique, laid back and unpretentious place people of all ages and walks of life can enjoy time on the beach with each other, or make new friends ” Melissa schNeider MarketiNg director laNi kai islaNd resort
hut on the beach to educate guests about the local wildlife and environment and its importance to the island and business
One of the resort’s lauded achievements has been the installation of sea turtle compliant lighting throughout the entire resort as part of a certification with the Sea Turtle Conservancy
repairs to its marina docks – which had been nearly wiped out by Hurricane Ian
Pink Shell Beach Resort management is in the process of finalizing a new event lawn in order to host weddings reunions picnics and group events Looking ahead
“ T
rebuild has been the elevator renovation as elevator parts are difficult to come by Waichulis said That is a refrain that has been heard up and down the island from the Fort Myers Beach Library to many condo associations
“We are fortunate to have an amazing team which continued to create memories for all of our guests that came to support the resort over the last two years We are grateful that we have a
endured some of the reconstruction pains with us and made us a better and more beautiful resort The future is bright for the beach and the Pink Shell and we believe 2025 will be a great year for us,” Waichulis and Boykin said in a statement
“There are still challenges ahead,” Liszak said She cited permitting requirements, FEMA regulations and the cost and delays of purchasing equipment such as elevators as slowing down the recovery Despite this island busi-
Now Then&
Fire and Rescue crews from
What’s gone
❑ Outrigger Resort – to be re placed with proposed hotel and condos by London Bay Development
❑ Charley’s Boat House and Grill –purchased by London Bay Development
❑ Red Coconut RV Resort – proposal for condo tower s and commercial center by Seag ate Development
nesses continue to work their way through the process and move their projects forward
Among the big ticket projects Fort Myers Beach residents and visitors will notice over the next couple of years is a new Big Carlos Pass Bridge – with an expected completion date of 2026 A San Carlos Boulevard overhaul with a new light at the intersection before the Matanzas Pass Bridge, as well as an expansion of lanes for the bridge That project is also expected to be finished by early 2026
Further out, the Fort Myers Beach Pier will be getting an expansion after the Lee County Board of County Commissioners approved its replacement The planning is expected to take more than a year, with construction potentially beginning in early 2026 and lasting into 2028 Times Square, which was hit especially hard by Hurricane Ian – lost many of its businesses
W h i l e s o m e h a v e c o m e b a c k – i t i s s t i l l unknown what will happen to others Places like the Dairy Queen, Pier Peddler, and the PierSide Grill and Famous Blowfish Bar are gone New businesses have already popped up at Times Square though like the Buffalo Grill
❑ Times Square businesses – T he Dair y Queen, PierSide Grill and Famous Blowfish Bar, Kilwin’s Ice Cream, T he Pier Peddler, Local Color, Mango Rita’s, Plaka Restaurant
❑ Restaurants – Edelweiss Burger, Felipe s Taqueria, Heidi s, Hoosier s in Paradise Hooter s Mr Tequila Zushi Zushi Tropical Sunset, 159 San Carlos Blvd What’s coming
❑ Santini Plaza reopening with new businesses and some retur ning ones
❑ Retur n of American Sand Sculpting Championship at DiamondHead Beach Resort ❑ Sanibel Captiva Community Bank building new branch at 2670 and 2680 Estero Blvd ❑ Myerside Resort hotel at for mer site of Myerside Resort and Cottages at 145 School
Several properties have changed hands – such as the former Plaka Restaurant The property where Mango Rita s sat is now up for sale Local developer Randi Persuad scooped up the Dairy Queen and PierSide Grill property and is working on plans to redevelop it Liszak sees the return of the town’s famous events and celebrations as a testament to the good days ahead for Fort Myers Beach
“I am looking forward to seeing new homes and businesses rise, to welcoming back old friends and neighbors and greeting newcomers The comeback of events like the 34th
return to normalcy, which is incredibly important to the island's continued recovery,” Liszak said
“It is clear that the future of Fort Myers Beach is bright This community is strong, and its residents and businesses are committed to working together to build back an island community that will welcome everyone for generations to come ”
Islanders concern for each other is innate
BY PAULETTE LEBLANC PINE ISLAND EAGLE EDITOR
PINE ISLAND “
The island has really just done well with organizations helping organizations, businesses helping businesses and residents helping residents Getting the island back to functioning seemed to go rather quickly
Dave conner
greaTer
Pine islanD chamBer of commerce PresiDenT
Blue
Dog starts back fresh
EBY PAULETTE LEBLANC PINE ISLAND EAGLE EDITOR
stablished in 2014 by owners John Lynch and Jesse Tincher, Matlacha’s iconic Blue Dog Bar and Grill is back after getting hit hard by Hurricane Ian All the post-Ian r
straight out of the owners’ pockets
Blue Dog has an entirely new kitchen full of equipment In fact, the whole restaurant is new, as the Blue Dog flooded with salt water during the storm
We dragged everything we owned to the curb and started fresh,” Lynch said
H u r r i c a n e I
years ago, forcing many business owners to close down, remodel or rebuild Although wading through this catastrophe was in no way enviable, the partners who own Blue Dog readily agree that since the hurricane, the bond with their staff and neighbors has never been stronger Lynch was sure to point out that he and Tincher are both Matlacha residents
“I don’t just work here, I live here I love this community,” Lynch said
Citing a reason for the adoration he has for the island community, Lynch pointed out that
“The thing that got me was the people that live here on the island were here during the daytime cleaning up and trying to rebuild and they were coming up to me and asking, ‘What can I do? What do you need?’ and I’m looking at them like, what do you mean, what do I need? I’ll be OK You don’t have a house You lost everything and you ’ re asking me, ‘What do we need?’”
Jesse Tincher Blue Dog co-owner
After the hur r icane, Blue Dog co-owner John Lynch said there was an urgency to reopen: They had 47 employees, several of whom had just lost ever ything. One impor tant lesson lear ned for the Blue Dog owners in the wake of Hur r icane Ian, was how far-reaching the circle of the restaurant’s employment really went PAULETTE LeBLANC
restaurant s staff was living in the parking lot and that neighbors who had lost their
y helping clean up the restaurant Tincher agreed, saying the reaction from neighbors amazed him as well
“
was the people that live here on the island were here during the daytime cleaning up
they were coming up to me and asking, ‘What can I do? What do you need?’ and I’m looking at them like, what d
I need? I’ll be OK You don’t have a house You lost everything and you re asking me ‘What do we need?’” Tincher said After the hurricane, Lynch said there was an urgency to reopen: They had 47 employ-
h i n g O
e important lesson learned for the Blue Dog owners in the wake of Hurricane Ian was how far-reaching the circle of the restaurant’s employment really went
“The beautiful thing that I h a d n ’ t s e e n
s that, with our 47 people, in reality, it’s not just our 47 people, because once we’re open, we’re selling mullet, so the mullet fishermen are maki n
money the stone crabbers It’s not just us These families also benefit The community benefits from it I didn’t realize the impact we had on the island until we were closed,” Lynch said
With the Blue Dog s 10th anniversary coming up the owners say their customers can count on the same stellar quality and innovation as always when it comes to a dining experience at their place
Blue Dog Bar and Grill is at 4597 Pine Island Road, Matlacha
patient and impatient with the reopening, the partners agree enduring and supportive with all that had happened at the Blue Dog, and simultaneously wanting them to reopen to instill a sense of normalcy
Blue Dog has an entirely new kitchen full of equipment In fact, the whole restaurant is new, as Ian flooded it with salt water PAULETTE LeBLANC
PINE ISLAND
Owner Lisa Dence talks about closing Olde Fish House after Ian to open Salty Girls
BY PAULETTE LEBLANC PINE ISLAND EAGLE EDITOR
Salty Girls Island Café owner, Lisa Dence, who had to close the Olde Fish House Marina Seafood Market after Hurricane Ian presents a picture of resilience as she has in her own words, gone from serving beer to s e r v i n g c o f Her move from Matlacha to the center of Pine Island, could not have been foreseen anymore than the damage caused by Hurricane Ian itself Dence said as tough as it was closing Olde Fish House, she had to put that part of her life in the past
It was a very hard part of my life the past couple of years have been very difficult a c c e p t i n g c h a n g e w h e t h e r I w a n t e d t o accept it or not, I’ve had to I’ve had to move forward There may be a lot of people who didn’t see the post on Facebook, or maybe missed it, haven’t found us There are generations who aren’t on Facebook, who don’t do social media and some have found us by chance,” Dence said
What’s gone Olde Fish House Marina Seafood Market 4330 Pine Island Road, Matlacha
What’s new Salty Girls Island Café 10700 #20 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia Opened in 2023
Having had to change her whole life so suddenly has been an adjustment for Dence, she said, adding that there have been many days she simply could not talk about it, but that she’s grateful to have finally gotten to a part of her life where she can There is no way for her to convey having to process the fact that 12 years of her life were gone in 12 hours, she added, recalling the grief of the situation
Even though Hurricane Ian offered Dence a more difficult financial situation she said she has gained a new prioritization, which places family in the front seat Her daughter Nicole, who works at Salty Girls Island Café, shared
with Dence, what her family has benefitted from the past two years
“My daughter learned that she was spending too much time working and away from her kids and now, she s been able to be a better mom Now she’s able to be home at night and cook dinner for her kids and help them with homework things she couldn’t do before T h a t ’ s
re a s o n t h a
I
m c l o s e d o n Saturdays,” Dence said Like other island business owners, Dence agrees that for her, from the Olde Fish House to Salty Girls Island Café, the role of the community has been one of support and encouragement She humbly admits that she would not have been able to move on and open Salty Girls without the help of the community
“They’ve given me mental, physical and financial support and for that, I’ll be eternally grateful,” Dence said
Salty Girls Island Café is excited to offer new menu items such as, grab-and-go pasta salads, macaroni salads and tuna sandwiches, catering more to people on a lunch break, or in a hurry, she said
“W hen I put the dr ywall back in, I’m going to put a time capsule in the wall with many items that represent what Matlacha was pr ior to the hur r icane,” co-owner William Tidball said
“It’s just a fun thing to do included in there is Ber t’s Bar and Br idgewater Inn and things that will definitely look different in the future, so when people come in the building in the future, they’ll find it,” Tidball said Tidball said there is no definitive date for opening the time capsule as he feels leaving it in the hands of whomever r ips down the wall is the best way he can imagine its re-opening W hile he said he has no idea what the future of tour ism looks like for the island, his thinking is that the island will build back even stronger than before
PAULETTE LeBLANC/ PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
See Q&A with Tidwell on page 14A
Olde Fish House in the days after Ian str uck PAULETTE
Community, random acts of kindness lead to CW Fudge Factory rebound
The following is a Q&A with CW Fudge Factory co-owner, William Tidball
Established in 2014 CW Fudge Factory suffered severe damage from Ian Since then, it has undergone renovations and a time capsule was inserted in the wall of the candy shop
Q W hat is new or better for you postIan?
A Well, Matlacha is not the same place for sure! The few of us that survived/recovered from the storm have a stronger appreciation for each other We tried to help each other and motivate each other to grow through what we had to go through I can say Carlos and I are not the same people as we were pre-Ian We have an appreciation for the smallest things now After the storm everything seems like just a little problem Material things just don’t seem as important as family, friends, and neighbors We do love our new floors in the store Painted epoxy if we flood again, we pressure wash no wood floor to replace
Q. Is there anything you would have done dif ferently?
A We made the best decisions we could after the storm Some might have been made too quickly or all the options were not available at the time We did what we had to do to recover our business and our home We can always wish things were done better or differently but in this case it’s all surge water
through the store! The only thing I wish we could have done differently was how we prepared for the storm Never thought in a million years we would have seen that much damage in Matlacha and Pine Island, but we cannot look back only forward Everything we tried to do is to build back better stronger and smarter But there is not much you can do when an act of nature is headed your way
Q W hat can customers look forward to in the coming year(s)?
A Customers can look forward to and know that CW Fudge Factory and ice cream is still open and still offering the same great homemade products with friendly service as we did before Ian We worked hard to make the store look almost the same We wanted to reestablish ourselves as though nothing happened we say, what storm? We felt strongly that we and the community need things to just be normal We re a l i z
replaced and will never be the same, but CW fudge and ice cream remains stronger and better! When our customers walk into the store, it’s just like being welcomed back
Q : W
A: Carlos and I can never say enough about the community, our customers and our friends! So many many people rolled up their sleeves
to help us in ways that words can never express! We have always been grateful to be a part of the Pine Island/Matlacha community, but when we were down on our luck, this community pulled through for us believed in us even when we might have doubted ourselves There are too many random acts of kindness to list, but Carlos and I appreciate every single one of them For example, I was trying to clean the mud out of my kitchen for the third day in a row and a woman who lives in Matlacha showed up at my back door asking what she could do I said there’s really not much to do, it’s just all overwhelming I don’t even know where to start I was trying to save what I could and clean up the mud so we didn’t slip in it She left and came back five minutes later with a bucket, bleach and a rag For the next three hours, she cleaned on her hands and knees with me What she does not know is that I was going to give up that day and she t a l k e d t o m
m e t o p u s h through it! There so many stories like this that were small acts of kindness that made recovery possible
Q: W hat, if any, good thing, do you feel came from the situation?
A: The hurricane was horrible but I think we all appreciate each other our struggles and the experience The island was always a special place, but our strength to recover has made us an even stronger, better place to live!
A hear tfelt sign in front of Mona Blount’s Ian-damaged home is as relevant then as it is today on Pine Island and the rest of Southwest Flor ida
PAULETTE LeBLANC
Now Then&
The Sanibel Causeway suffered major damage from Hur r icane Ian but has been repaired through the last two years after the monster stor m r ipped through Southwest Flor ida. FDOT
SANIBEL AND CAPTIVA ISLANDS
Open for business as road to recovery continues
ABY TIFFANY REPECKI ISLANDER/ISLAND REPORTER EDITOR
f t e r H u r r i c a n e I a n m a d e l a n d f a l l i n September of 2022, the islands were no longer connected to the mainland as a section of the Sanibel Causeway had crumbled away in the near-Category 5 storm Power and water were nonexistent, homes a n d b u s i n e s s e s w e re d e s t ro y e d a n d t h e Sanibel Lighthouse teetered on one less leg islanders were facing a steep climb toward any semblance of normalcy
Two years later, Sanibel and Captiva are accessible again and open for business The beaches are calling visitors, the restaurants are serving customers and the attractions are welcoming guests However, with 95% of the islands economy driven by tourism, the road to a full recovery continues
S a n C a p C h a m b e r P re s i d e n t a n d C h i e f Executive Officer John Lai reported that as of late August, a total of 184 businesses were open Forty-two were located on Captiva and 142 were on Sanibel
“As expected, the recovery hinges heavily on accommodations We expect to hit 50% by the end of the first quarter of 2025 and 70% by the end of 2025, he said This is great news as it will put us well ahead of the initial projections However the majority of the remaining 30% will consist of complete rebuilds, many of which have not yet started the permitting process ”
In the accommodations sector, 402 lodging units were operational on Sanibel (24 7%) and 371 units were open on Captiva (61 7%) The 773 total units represented 35% of the islands' inventory
M o s t re c e n t l y, w e v e h a d t h e S a n i b e l Moorings Opening soon will be the Sundial (Beach Resort & Spa) s condos coming online in the fourth quarter and the Sanibel Inn with a projected December opening date,” Lai said “ T h e f i r
As expected, the recovery hinges heavily on accommodations We expect to hit 50% by the end of the first quarter of 2025 and 70% by the end of 2025,” JohN Lai SaNCap Chamber preSideNt aNd Chief exeCutive offiCer
Shalimar (Beach Resort) in 2025 ”
Additional accommodations that resumed taking rental bookings this year were the Blind P a s s C
, L
g g
rh
d C a y, Pelicans Roost, Sandpiper Beach and Sanibel Siesta on the Beach
Within the attractions sector, must-visits like the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and Sanibel Sea School have resumed operations, offering an array of activities and programming “Attractions are back, and due to smaller crowds, the experiences are better than ever,” he said Lai pointed to unique programs offered by the Sundial and ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa where day-trippers can purchase a day pass in advance and enjoy the resort's amenities and beach access
We now have several opportunities for visitors and guests to recreate on the water whether it s a private charter for fishing or ecotours or booking a larger vessel for a group
cruise to Cabbage Key or to catch a spectacular sunset,” he added
One sector rebounding is the restaurant or food service The Magic Bus Ice Cream & Caffeine, The Original Cheeburger Cheeburger and Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant opened their doors this year
There are 52 dining options available, from outdoor on the water to fine dining Lai said “The most recent being the food and beverage options at the Sundial, including their beachfront Tiki Bar and Shima with an expanded waterfront sushi bar and Japanese steakhouse, along with the newly relocated Lighthouse Cafe ”
There also has been progress within the retail sector, with the shopping centers steadily filling up as commercial space is secured There were 52 businesses as of late August with some of those opening their doors this year to include Beach Daisy Boutique, Finnimore s Bike & Beach Rentals, Her Sport Closet, the Historic Bait Box, MacIntosh Books + Paper and Suncatchers Dream
“With some new storefronts recently opening in Captiva Curio Cottage and Rachel Pierce H o m e , ” h e s a i d “ We a re h o p i n g t o s e e Congress Jewelers back in the Periwinkle Place Shops by Luminary In the professional services sector, businesses continue to resume their operations Many celebrated their return to the islands this year with ribbon-cuttings hosted by the chamber, including Island Therapy Center, John Grey Painting, Landgraphics Sanibel Captiva, the S a n i b e
f Realtors, VCA Sanibel Animal Hospital and Zurbriggen Financial In the last four months of 2024 we are hoping for a few key openings in preparation for season 2025,” Lai said “Not a lot, but some notable openings in Periwinkle Place, a couple of drug stores including CVS, and a couple professional services and construction related ”
Now Then& SANIBEL AND CAPTIVA ISLANDS
BAILEY-MATTHEWS NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM & AQUARIUM
Visitors learning about mollusks once again at shell museum
BY TIFFANY REPECKI ISLANDER/ISLAND REPORTER EDITOR
hile its second floor
WSanibel has made a big comeback considering the storm's impact, and its progress was celebrated with a SanCap Chamber ribbon-cutting in March
Only two and half years after the museum debuted the “Living Gallery of Aquariums” its first-ever, animal aquariums featuring live mollusks, along with educational touch tanks the museum lost about 80% of its marine life and everything but the ground level s 11 structural aquariums in the storm Staff were able to reach the museum just four
days after the hurricane They released the surviving indigenous mollusks and handed off exotic species to The Florida Aquarium in Tampa to house
The ribbon-cutting marked the complete restoration of its aquariums and museum store
“Without the support of the communities of the islands, shelling enthusiasts, and local and regional governments, there would not be a recovery,” Executive Director Sam Ankerson said at the event
The aquariums hold about 60 species and 350 animals, including octopuses, cuttlefish, giant clams, queen conch, flamingo tongue, Southwest Florida mollusks cold water species from the Pacific Northwest, and corals and fish from around the world In addition, the exhibit space was expanded to provide more informa-
tion about the biology of the animals and how the museum cares for them
The museum temporarily opened its second level which houses the Great Hall of Shells and exhibit area for three months in 2023 to visitors before re-closing the space to renovate and redesign it
Anticipated to reopen in the late fall, it will exhibit a greater quantity and diversity of shells New displays will feature about 3,000 specimens with an array of global biodiversity, including focuses on Southwest Florida shells, world-record-sized shells, deep-sea species, land snails and ancient fossils There will be an expanded section of exhibits about how shells play a role in human history and culture, along with a new section with exhibits devoted to conservation and environmental education
Above, a photo of the BaileyMatthews National Shell Museum & Aquar ium on Sanibel today, compared to after September of 2022 when Ian made landfall
SANIBEL AND CAPTIVA ISLANDS
Resort opens amenities to guests through day pass program
BY TIFFANY REPECKI ISLANDER/ISLAND REPORTER EDITOR
With the full recovery from Hurricane Ian hinging on the return of accomm o d a t i o n s , t h e re o p e n i n g o f t h e Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Aug 1 the largest complex to reopen to date on Sanibel signified a significant step closer to that goal and was marked with a SanCap Chamber ribbon-cutting In September of 2022, the storm left the G u l f s i d e b e a c h f ro n t re s o r t w i t h v a r y i n g degrees of damage
The accommodations on the east and west sides sustained minimal to substantial impacts Turtle’s Tiki Bar washed away a victim of the surge The fitness center, Turtle Scouts and Slice of Paradise also were flooded, along with the marketplace and resort’s office annex The lobby level had some damage, and the third floor experienced minimal damage The tennis and pickleball courts also were impacted
Sundial Beach Resor t & Spa on Sanibel today, compared to before and after September of 2022 when Hur r icane Ian made landfall and some wildlife had taken over the pool SUNDIAL BEACH RESORT & SPA
I can t wait for everyone to have this day This is our Day 1
Becky Miller Sundial Beach reSort & Spa general Manager
The event represented Sundial’s first official day of business since the hurricane
While rooms will open for occupancy in November beginning with the west-side units, the resort reopened three dining outlets to the public and launched a day pass program for day-trippers
I can t wait for everyone to have this day, General Manager Becky Miller said at the event in reference to being open for guests through the program the result of the city council establishing a temporary use permit for beach club day passes for any eligible properties “This is our Day 1 ” A s f o r t h e e a t e r i e s , Tu r t l e ’ s , t h e S
m a Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar and the Sea Breeze Cafe’s bar have been restored and are o p e n f
a y Turtle s serves up island favorites and frosty drinks on the family-friendly patio Shima has reopened with an expanded dining room, as well as the addition of a large sushi bar For a limited time, it is featuring its popular two-forone menu The Sea Breeze Cafe’s dining room is expected to reopen in the fall At the pickleball facilities, the Sundial offers 16 plexi-cushion courts Four were built as part of the restoration along with the addition of bocce ball
BY TIFFANY REPECKI
ISLANDER/ISLAND
REPORTER EDITOR
With five well-known restaurants several of which are award-winning and top-rated and a bed and breakfast inn featuring cottages and suites Captiva business owner Sandy Stilwell Youngquist was hit hard when Hurricane Ian stuck in 2022 as not one establishment was left untouched by the storm
Synonymous with the island's dining scene for over 20 years, she celebrated the reopening of the Cantina Captiva in May The return of the Sunshine Seafood Cafe and Wine Bar in December of 2023 and RC Otter s Island Eats earlier in June were recognized with SanCap Chamber ribbon-cuttings
The Captiva Island Inn resumed reservations in April and began welcoming back guests
“Sandy is a pillar in the island business community and a shining example of how working h a
Sandy is a pillar in the island business community and a shining example of how working hard and together gets results We welcome back the lively vibe her restaurants have come to define as the Captiva dining scene ” John Lai SanCap Chamber preSident and Chief exeCutive offiCer
President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai
said at the cafe’s event “We welcome back the lively vibe her restaurants have come to define as the Captiva dining scene ”
Sunshine Seafood Cafe was Youngquist s second Captiva restaurant purchased in 2004
The Sunshine Seafood Cafe and Wine Bar on Captiva today, compared to before (inset) September of 2022 when Hur r icane Ian made landfall
Despite total flooding and loss of all the furniture and equipment, the eatery reopened with much of the same feel, a new design and some changes in color schemes
The biggest change is in the kitchen, where local chef Ryan Kida took the helm and reinvented the menu with some legendary dishes from his former Yabo restaurant in Fort Myers, plus new creations
Originally opened in 1998, RC Otter ’s Island Eats came under Youngquist’s ownership in 2003 Similar to her other establishments, it flooded in the storm But quick remediation, followed by her team of employees doing the clean up and restoration work, got the breakfast-lunch-dinner spot up and running
As the now open restaurants were undergoing restoration, Youngquist set up Rico Suave’s Mexican Cuisine on the Go food truck at the cantina and opened a second Keylime Bistro in Boca Grande Her flagship restaurant, the Keylime Bistro, is still undergoing repairs as is Latte D
t’s
IThe Dunes Golf & Tennis Club bounces back
FORT MYERS BEACH
Beach renour ishment on the nor th end of For t Myers Beach is in progress, two years after Hur r icane Ian ROB BRATLING
CAPE CORAL
City officials happy about recovery, recognize there’s still plenty of work to be done
WBY CJ HADDAD CAPE CORAL BREEZE REPORTER
ith Hurricane Ian, Cape Coral and Southwest Florida’s most devastating and costly storm, now two years in the rearview, city officials have implemented new strategies to be prepared moving forward, while some areas are still recovering
The near-Category 5 hurricane brought catastrophic destruction to the area, and cost some residents their lives and many others their homes
C a p e C o r a l ’ s E m e rg e n c y M a n a g e m e n t
Director Ryan Lamb said he’s pleased with the way the city has rebounded now 24 months out, and has taken many lessons from that tumultuous period of time, though there is still plenty of work to be done
“The city feels positive about its recovery progress, Lamb said “Many areas look almost untouched, while others, like the Yacht Club, still bear the storm’s marks Infrastructure repairs are ongoing, and we are just beginning to see the fruits of our grant-funded projects While much has been accomplished, significant work remains, and the total recovery will take years
Lamb said one of the biggest challenges faced during the storm was the breakdown in communication due to power, water, and internet outages, which made coordinating recovery efforts difficult
“The city responded by establishing daily b
deliver to information stations to keep residents informed,” he said
Managing more than 900 emergency calls in the immediate aftermath was a major strain on resources Lamb added but said the city quickly to restore essential services
Another challenge Lamb said the city faced after the storm was navigating the process for FEMA reimbursement, which needed to be c o m p l e t e d b e f o
begin
“To address this, the city worked diligently to ensure all necessary documentation was submitted accurately and promptly to expedite the process he said
The Cape also dealt with issues related to the National Flood Insurance Program Lamb said the city worked closely with state and federal agencies to address these concerns and find solutions to help residents and property owners manage the storm's impact on flood insurance coverage
As for which sections of the city are still recovering, the South Cape tops the list
The Yacht Club area and parts of southeast
Infrastructure repairs are ongoing, and we are just beginning to see the fruits of our grant-funded projects While much has been accomplished, significant work remains, and the total recovery will take years ”
Hurricane Ian, primarily due to a significant storm surge Lamb said These areas with older construction had the most flood intrusion We are working through the National Flood Insurance Program and assisting residents in these areas with recovery, including d
needed ”
As for the city’s biggest accomplishments, now two years later, Lamb said they include the community s resilience and solidarity during recovery Neighbors came together to help one another with resources and cleanup and many local businesses supplied food and water to those without
“We successfully handled over 900 emergency calls within 48 hours after the storm,” Lamb added “In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Cape Coral faced significant debris challenges By January 2023, the city had removed over 2 million cubic yards of debris, which equated to more than 40,000 truckloads This
storm, with more than 1 million cubic yards of debris collected within the first month alone Efforts included street and canal cleanups,
debris from water using barges ”
Nearly all stop and street signs were damaged or completely gone throughout the Cape after Ian hit By Sept 30, 2022, only two days after Ian s landfall, city staff had repaired all stop signs at high-traffic intersections
“Moving forward, we have secured substantial grant funding for long-term projects that will strengthen our city’s resilience,” Lamb said Hurricane Ian prompted the city to create a new Emergency Ma na gement & R esilience Department, which is dedicated solely to han-
dling disaster response
This change allows other city departments, like the fire department, to focus on their primary responsibilities during a crisis, Lamb said Additionally, the city has increased its ven-
response timelines
The following list does not include all hazard-mitigation projects but highlights a handful of the major ones:
❑ City Hall Generator and Hardening
❑ Lake Kennedy and Special Populations and Generator and Hardening & Hardening of Station 6
❑ Relocation and elevation of Station 5 & Relocation and construction of Fire Station 10
❑ Hardening of Nicholas Annex
❑ Supplemental Water Source for Critical Facilities
(CDBG-DR) program These funds allocated to support long-term recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ian, will be used for several key public facility and infrastructure projects in Cape Coral, Lamb said
He said the city’s biggest takeaways now two years out are::
❑ The need to restructure vendor contracts to ensure rapid responses in future disasters
❑ The need to create a dedicated Emergency Management department, which will allow for a more focused and efficient disaster response
❑ The city recognized the need to develop new ways to communicate with residents during a disaster, ensuring timely and effective information reaches everyone
❑ Improvements were made to how the city collaborates with residents and FEMA to manage development in special flood hazard areas after a disaster
The city has learned valuable lessons from Hurricane Ian and is better prepared for future s
everyone to have a plan, a 72-hour emergency kit, and alternative shelter options While we cannot prevent natural disasters, we can mitigate their impact by working together as a community Our city is implementing new communication strategies and leveraging lessons learned to ensure we are more resilient and prepared than ever
Development forges ahead after
WBY CJ HADDAD CAPE CORAL BREEZE REPORTER
h e n H
u g h
Southwest Florida and Cape Coral, the impact the record-setting storm had effected how development would move forward in its wake
Being one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, with the hustle and bustle of development always on the go, economic development throughout the city saw a delay and halting of projects in the pipeline The storm also had a major, major impact on exiting business in the area and overall region
Hurricane Ian had a profound impact on economic development in Cape Coral said the city’s Economic Development Manager, Sharon Woodberry “The storm caused significant disruptions, particularly in the business sector, where many establishments faced prolonged closures due to property damage Some
b u s
y i m p
d areas, were forced to shut down permanently, leading to a temporary dip in economic activity The storm also caused delays in ongoing and planned development projects as resources were diverted toward recovery efforts ” Small business is the backbone of Cape Coral, as the city is home to thousands of family-owned and independent retailers, restaurants, and more The growing city’s plan for the future also includes the addition of more commercial retailers and housing developments, many of which are still to come despite the challenges Ian brought
C a p e C o r a l s e c o n o m i c re c o v e r y s i n c e Hurricane Ian has been strong but not without challenges,” Woodberry said “The business community faced hurdles like supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and increased material costs Despite these challenges, the city has seen a resurgence in commercial activity, with businesses reopening and new investments being made Across the board, develope r s o n l y c o m m u n i c a t e d t h a t p ro j e c t s w e re delayed – not canceled Woodberry added that while Ian led to some project delays, particularly in areas that were h a rd e s t h i t , t h e s
developments to enhance the city’s economic landscape
“Looking ahead, residents of Cape Coral can anticipate several exciting economic develop-
ments that will enhance the city’s commercial offerings and overall appeal,” Woodberry said K
Economic Development Office include: ❑ Coral Grove: A new mixed-use development that will feature retail, dining, and
CAPE CORAL
Fish
BY CJ HADDAD CAPE CORAL BREEZE REPORTER
When Kerry and Patrick Krieg returned to their restaurant and retail fish mark e t f o l l o w i n g H u r r i c a n e I a n , t h e y found the roof torn off, flooding, and an abundance of equipment damaged beyond repair
The Kriegs have just finished renovations at Fish Tale Grill and Merrick Seafood to the outdoor deck and other areas of the restaurant w h e n t h e n e a r- C a t e g o r y 5 s t o r m s w e p t through Cape Coral and Southwest Florida
“The front was flooded,” recalls Kerry “The water had come into the building We lost all of our coolers and freezers full of food All of the fans had ripped off, and there were just holes all in the ceiling Water was just all over the place
Patrick added Delivery trucks got flooded
F i s h Ta l e G r i l l opened in 2013 right next door to Kerry’s p a re n t s ’ w h o l e s a l e and retail fish market, Merrick Seafood, that has been family owned and operated since 1991
Fish Tale is home to some of the fresh-
e s t s e a f o o d i n t h e a re a , a n d b r i n g s b r i g h t , f l a v o r f u l , unique and fun dishes and drinks to its patrons
Then&
Having a generator Kerry and Patrick said they were able to operate the kitchen following the storm, which allowed them to help feed the community in the wake of Ian
“We were one of the few places that were open,” Kerry said “All of our staff were able to come in and help ”
children came into
people on the street that were without the ability to make a hot meal
We had people coming from all over and bring on people from Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel and Captiva As that started to happen, and we started to bring back people from all over, we kind of re-built And everybody was grateful and happy and strong
Kerry Krieg Fish Tale grill owNer
T h e re s t a u r a n t s e a t s ro u g h l y 2 0 0 and features an outd o o r c o v e re d p a t i o with heaters A popular staple in its Sunday brunch which brings varying styles of live music with a plethora of benedict options such as snow crab or fillet mignon Fish Tale’s signature drink, the Loaded Fishtail Mary, is a sight to see in a Bloody Mary with a lobster tail, tuna grouper bites, cocktail shrimp and a gulf oyster
The events of Sept 28 2022 sent shockwaves throughout the region and impacted countless businesses, families, and residents of the county and state
“It was scary to know what was going to be left, and how it was going to be left,” Kerry said of the aftermath of Ian “It was a bad day All of the businesses across the street flooded completely ”
It was heartbreaking to see the devastation o n t h e w a y i n , P a t r i c k s a i d B u s i n e s s e s ripped apart It was terrible
Kerry said they were fortunate enough to have just put in new concrete foundation, “which actually kind of kept some of the water from flooding the whole base ”
The Kriegs said so much of the interior and exterior was damaged from the high winds and water Countless items were thrown out Water had found its way into the office space where all of the electronics and files were And of course the roof and nearly $40 000 worth of food in their freezers and coolers They were forced to work out of box trucks with ice when in operation after the storm
“One-by-one, people would come by and tell
were just so happy to be
area, as the interior of
shape to house patrons “It was a crazy time ”
The Kriegs said the No 1 thought on their mind in the time following the storm was survival
Just getting through the day, not even sure how we were going to do it Kerry said We had people coming from all over and bring on people from Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel and Captiva As that started to happen and we started to bring back people from all over, we kind of re-built And everybody was grateful and happy and strong And we did come back better And I really think it had to do with the staff and people just pulling together and making it through the terrible time everyone was facing
It took Merrick a bit longer to get back on its feet with so many local restaurants being shut down
It took Fish Tale Grill an entire year to have the roof replaced
“Every storm or rain that came through put us into another situation,” Kerry said “All in all, I’d say it took about a year-and-a-half before everything was fully back together
We just had to roll with it and figure out how we were going to get through it and work together as a team It’s about counting on your team, and if we had not had a wonderful group of people that work with us, the outcome could have been different ”
Throughout the entire ordeal, the Kriegs said seeing the community be resilient and join as one was a positive aspect of the devastation
“I felt like it was a way that the community came together, Kerry said It was however
anybody could help We had friends that were taking food to hospitals It really was however and whatever anyone could do to help In those days after, it was about survival and we came together
Now two years later the Kriegs said they re grateful for each and every day in operation, and in life
“Looking back at that time, you can make it through anything if you put your mind to it,” Kerry said “But, I don’t ever want to see that again ”
Patrick added, “Don’t take anything for granted There are still people that haven’t moved back into their home two years later Life can change on the drop of a dime
As a business the Kriegs said they look at it as a big family, and that was only solidified after Ian
“People you take care of and that take care of you, you can get through anything together,” Patrick said
The Kriegs’ message to the business community when an impending storm is on the horizon?
Just do as much preparation as you can, Kerry said Days leading up to it take it seriously Ian wasn’t necessarily supposed to hit us, but came in as a direct hit Don’t take anything lightly Missing one day’s business to do prep is worth it Rather be safe than sorry ”
Patrick added, “And don’t skimp on the insurance coverage We weren’t made whole, especially on the loss of income, but the bulk of the repairs were covered, and we were blessed to have that, because it could have been the end of it
In late 2023 Fish Tale Grill was paid a visit from America’s Best Restaurants, where the
Bubba’s Roadhouse owner: Reopening after Ian generated feelings of relief, gratitude
BY CJ HADDAD CAPE CORAL BREEZE REPORTER
Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon was getting ready to celebrate 24 years of serving the Cape Coral and Southwest Florida community before Hurricane Ian swept though the region
With the back wall was blown out, ceiling in a section of the back room missing, and roof torn, owner Jay Johnson worked tirelessly to bring the staple restaurant back in a little over two months, just in time to mark the milestone Johnson said fortunately, Ian’s waters did not make its way into the restaurant, and that the majority of the dining and patron area was in good shape
“We did have water coming into the storeroom, and we were able to temporarily fix that,” Johnson said “The wall that went down was in our dish room, so we had to replace that and fix the water coming into the room and the electrical in the room We also had some issues with some equipment that was outside and got water damaged ”
Johnson said it took him four hours to get to Bubba’s the day after the storm
“Once I got here, I saw the section of roof that was down,” he recalled “And then when I got to the back of the building, I could actually see where the roof peeled away and had fallen on the ground behind the building When I did the walkthrough, our dining area was intact I felt OK It could have been worse When I went out to Matlacha and saw the conditions there, I almost felt guilty ”
Johnson’s father, Bernard, had owned Bert’s B a r o n M a t l a c h a , w h i c h w a s c o m p l e t e l y washed away by Ian after 75 years of history in Southwest Florida
It was surreal to see, Johnson said To be able to see (driving on a boat due to the road being destroyed) where Bert’s used to exist it was just surreal ”
He said it wasn’t until the second day after
Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon owner Jay Johnson dedicated much of his time post-disaster to helping his staff, other restaurant owners and staff in need, using their por table gr ill to help fundraise W hile keeping his staff in mind, Johnson par ticipated in many oppor tunities to feed and raise money for workers in the area cleaning up after Ian CONTRIBUTED
There was a common cause Everyone had the same goal in mind, which was to recover and bring the community back together We saw that in our staff and in our customers A lot of them are family at this point ”
Jay Johnson
s Roadhouse & saloon
Bubba’s, looked up, and could see through it
“We hadn’t realized there was no ceiling in it,” Johnson recalled
A temporary patch was put on the roof of Bubba’s so that they could open in the aftermath of the storm
The most difficult part of coming back was finding vendors to come out and perform repairs
w
m
“ M o s
Johnson recalled “Just trying to find those vendors to help with repairs was just disheartening At one point, with our gas vendor, we couldn’t get them to answer the phone ”
Johnson was so desperate, he took to social media posting a $100 reward for anyone that could get him on the phone with a live repressive from the company that was in the area
“It took a couple hours, but I got a hold of someone,” he said
For the most part, Bubba’s was able to keep the majority of its staff, and fundraised for them out in the parking lot
Johnson dedicated much of his time postdisaster to also helping other restaurant own-
ers and staff in need, using their portable grill to help fundraise While keeping his staff in mind Johnson participated in many opportunities to feed and raise money for workers in the area cleaning up after Ian
He said many regulars would stop by the in the days and weeks following the storm, checking in Johnson said Budweiser donated 1,000 gallons of water that they distributed for free
“Even though we were closed, we tried to remain a hub for our guests and our staff ”
The feeling of finally opening back up that December?
“It was relief, it was gratitude, and it was also a different feeling,” Johnson said “We opened up on (December) fifth, and on the sixth we had a catering job that was scheduled prior to the hurricane for 1,500 people And it was one of those, ‘Oh my God, we’re open and we’ve got to get this done now ’ A lot of our staff worked 24 hours straight to try to get everything put together We cooked for a dayand-a-half straight
Johnson said the biggest takeaways not just for Bubba’s, but for the entire community, was people of all walks of life coming together
s a i d
“ T h e re w a
“Everyone had the same goal in mind, which was to recover and bring the community back together We saw that in our staff and in our customers A lot of them are family at this point
J
Southwest Florida never sees anything like Ian again
“ H o p e f u l l y
event,” he said “I don’t want to live through that again But if it does happen, I know our community is strong enough and experienced enough now that we’re going to get through it and be better on the other side ”
Bubba s Roadhouse and Saloon is at 2121 S W Pine Island Road For more information visit bubbasroadhouse net
BuBBa
New residents bear the storm, find inspiration in community’s reaction
WBY CJ HADDAD CAPE CORAL BREEZE REPORTER
hen moving to Florida, one always hears about hurricanes, how to be prepared and the history of the impactful storms in the Sunshine State
No one could have prepared fresh residents of Cape Coral for what Hurricane Ian would bring, as it was the most impactful storm in the state's history
Members of the Cape Coral New Resident Club found this out all too well Vice President of the group, Julie Prokop, decided to memorialize the before and after of Ian in a 120-picture collage adorned with the tattered American flag she could not get down from her house before the storm, but held strong despite the 1 4 0 - p l u s m p h w i n d s I m a g e s o f h o u s e s throughout the city of neighbors and residents stand side-by-side with what they look like today
At her house on the corner of Trafalgar Parkway and Surfside Boulevard, Prokop rode out her first hurricane Having moved to the Cape in 2017 from Iowa and having missed Irma, Prokop took inspiration for how the city has rebounded in the two years since the devastating storm ravaged the city
“This town looks pretty good after only two years,” she said “Yes, there are still things that aren’t done I know the city has projects they’re working on and people still have things they’re doing to their homes, but all-in-all, the city is pretty well put back together
And we ve added so many new things that weren t here before, because (Cape Coral is) an amazing place to live that’s growing so fast ”
The Cape Coral New Resident Club will present the work of art to the city, which Prokop said has plans to display it at a to-bedetermined location She said the inspiration behind the piece was how well Cape Coral has seemingly bounced back in 24 months
That s kind of what this whole thing was about she said You brought from all parts of the country who have never been through a hurricane before, have never even thought of what it’d be like to go through a hurricane Most of us that were here, and we have a lot of snowbirds, too, had no idea what was coming It was an amazing thing for us to live through And with our fortitude, and things we brought with us from other parts of the country and the way we all grew up, as a group, we ve put this town pretty well back together
Prokop said when the news came in that a h u r r i c a n e w a s h e a d i n g t h e G u l f C o a s t o f Florida's way, there was some self-admitted lackadaisical planning, partly due to neighbors telling her not to worry, as they had experienced prior storms And of course, the storm was supposed to impact further north in the Tampa area, but took an eastward turn in the w a n i n g m o m e n t s , d i re c t l y i m p a c t i n g Southwest Florida
“ We d i d n ’ t u n d e r s t a n d h u r r i c a n e s ( n o t being a Florida native),” Prokop said “We didn’t really know what to expect ”
Prokop added she didn’t have any friends or family in the state she could evacuate to stay with
“It came on fast,” she said “And I grew up in tornado country, so I understand that stuff But they last 20 to 30 minutes at the most and they are gone So this was an experience that I had never dreamed of Not at all It was frightening ”
Prokop said she considers herself lucky, as her home was as wellequipped as it could be, as she had drop-down shutters that went over her lanai and front door area, and was well-elevated
Prokop, her elderly roommate, and golden retriever, all rode out the storm together She
s a i d s h e e v e n h a d a g e n e r a t o r, b u t d i d n ’ t know how to operate it
S h e l o s t p o w e r v e r y quickly, didn t have a r a d i o b u t d i d h a v e food and other supplies to live off of
Cape Coral New Resident Club Vice
has memor ialized the before and after of Ian in a 120-picture collage,
flag she could not get down
“I went all over town and took pictures of people’s homes, boats, and the damage around it,” she said Prokop said for the next impending storm, she will certainly take it more seriously
“I would stock up more than I did,” she said “I thought I was pretty stocked up, but we only thought about a few days, not weeks We would have stocked up more on gas, and figured out how to run
We haven t been back to Sanibel via car, but we have by boat It s so devastating to see how bad it is I’m not sure I’m ready to see Matlacha Some places will never be back to normal What we fell in love with about the area has not been here the past two years I’m proud of Cape Coral for what they’ve done ” Jackie Simington new ReSident club PReSident
Prokop even ventured out during a lapse in the storm to secure a shutter over a glass block window that was part of her lanai
“I was afraid if those blocks caved in, they were going to come through the sliding glass door into my master bedroom,” she said “And I feared if that happened, wind would get in and take the roof off
Her pool cage was taken down into her pool, and her equipment, pump, heater, and salt water system, and fence were all destroyed Her pool cage even went over her roof and struck her van in the driveway Her total damage came in just under $100,000
Prokop said it was an eerie feeling in the days following the storm when communication was still down She said she wasn t sure if the rest of the outside world had known what had happened Once services started coming back, she was contacted by friends who were snowbirds, asking Prokop to see if she could check on their house That’s where many of the photos in the art piece came from
g down the street that helped me clean up the pool I would definitely have a better means of communication as well
New Resident Club,
, moved to Cape Coral in December of 2021 from Kansas
was lucky enough to
tornado living in a hot-spot for one natural dis-
Hurricane Ian Located in northeast Cape near Gator Circle, Simington rode out the storm with family and f r i e n d s a n
p re p a re d , despite waiting until the last minute to put up her shutters and nearly having a hardware debacle
She made an abundance of food, had her deep freezers ready to go, but was unable to secure a generator before the storm
“When the storm hit, we hunkered down,” Simington said “We could tell as the wind shifted, you could hear it on all four sides of our house ”
The pool in her backyard was still under construction, which resulted in the site being filled with fence posts from all around the neighborhood And she only lost a few shingles on her roof
I didn t know what to expect she said The most disturbing thing is when we lost communication and didn’t really know what was going on, and not being able to reach out to family
“I think the worst part of it was after the storm, and getting out and seeing all of the destruction Most of the roofs in our area were half off, and our two neighbors, their fences were in our yard Our water system all fell over, so we didn’t have water (coming through the pipes) ”
Simington said seeing the damage on the barrier islands, and other friends that had significant water damage was heartbreaking
Compared to what she had heard about hurricanes, to what she had experienced with Ian, Simington said, “Once it started, it went on, and on, and on We thought the wind would die down, and it didn’t One of our storm shutters on the side came off and was banging on the window I would say I was more worried and upset after the storm than during The impact of it not having electricity and water The aftermath was far worse I ve always heard of hurricanes and to realize what I had seen people go through take place here, it’s hard to imagine how bad it would be It was an emotional drain getting prepared and dealing with the damage after But we managed ” Now two years later, Simington said she’s pleased with the progress made in the region, but that there is definitely more work to be done
I still see tarps on roofs, she said There s still a street sign on our street that was bent from the storm and is still that way I know that's low-priority, but it’s still present We haven't been back to Sanibel via car, but we have by boat It’s so devastating to see how bad it is I'm not sure I’m ready to see Matlacha Some places will never be back to normal What we fell in love with about the area has not been here the past two years Hopefully we ll never get hit by something that powerful again But I m proud of Cape Coral for what they’ve done ” S u e C e
November of 2020 from Michigan, at a home n e a r S u r
s Parkway
Also a member of the NRC, Cetnor remembers discussing the storm with other members prior to it making landfall, hopeful that the d i re c t h
Unfortunately that was not the case
After hearing from locals that “they’re never that bad,” Cetnor and her husband got pre-
President, Julie Prokop,
ador ned with the tattered Amer ican
from her house before the stor m, but held strong despite the 140-plus mph winds CONTRIBUTED
CAPE CORAL
Yacht Club, amenities erased by Ian; Historic site to get new look
BY CJ HADDAD CAPE CORAL BREEZE REPORTER
Cape Coral s oldest and most historic building and landmark may be gone but the Cape Coral Yacht Club is getting a new look following the heavy winds and water of Hurricane Ian
Yacht Club and most of its amenities felt the impacts of the near Category-5 storm two years ago While the ballroom incurred minimal damage, the beach, pier, marina, Tony Rotino Center, and on-site restaurant suffered heavy damage
Now Then&
Cape Coral City Council made the decision to upgrade the six-decade old site following the storm to bring in a new feel and revamped hub for residents
The restaurant, The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill, repaired and re-opened after Ian, and the riverfront beach, are currently the only amenities for the public
B u t p l a n s a re u n d e r w a y f o r a m u c hrevamped “destination ”
“I believe the city is excited about the new plans and looking forward to the new amenities that will no doubt continue the legacy of the Yacht Club as a destination facility for all of S o u t h w e s t F
Councilmember Tom Hayden
With the demolition of the Ballroom, Tony Rotino Center Harbor Master building ticket booth, electric building, pool area, and pump house, plans have been drawn up to elevate a jewel in the South Cape
The Cape Coral Yacht Club was opened in J u n e o f ‘ 6 2 b y G u l f A m e r i c
n L a n d Corporation and the Rosen Brothers, and was the remaining original public structure still standing in the Cape It has been used as a community gathering spot for the past 60-plus years and is a location near and dear to many of Cape Coral’s residents and regular visitors
W h i l e t h e p i e r w a s swept away and the riverfront beach area and structures took heavy damage
w
A city of Cape Coral insurance claim puts hurricanere l a t e d d a m a g e t o t h e city’s first community center at just under $25,000
Above, amenities at the new Yacht Club will include a multistor y parking garage and new piers
CITY OF CAPE CORAL
At r ight, the Yacht Club’s Fishing Pier was destroyed by Ian
CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT
The new complex will feature an islandambiance anchored by a two-story community center and resort-style pool as well as related amenities
All of that was captured into design work with an agreement with Kimley-Horne and A s s o c i
Ilczyszyn said is the No 1 best qualifying firm for community parks
“There were meetings with the public about what they wanted to see, an opportunity for residents and the
“We wanted a facility that would attract people of all ages whether they use the community center, pool and other restaurant for gatherings or people who want to use what has brought them to the Yacht Club in the past the beach, and the pier In this case there will be two new piers ” Tom HaydeN Cape Coral CiTy CouNCil member
“Obviously, Ian washed a w a y t h e p i e r, c a u s e d beach erosion, caused sign i f i c a n t d a m a g e t o t h e marina tennis courts and h a r b o r m a s t e r b u i l d i n g s The Rotino Center also suffered some water damage The Yacht Club had some damage, but much of the deterioration of the Yacht Club had been caused by other events of the past,” Hayden said
The decision to tear it town as part of the park’s near total demolition caused much protest, angst and even a funeral-style goodbye, but the Ballroom s replacement is also at the center of its rebirth Cape Coral City Council approved design plans for both the Yacht Club and its new pier in mid-July
tous from the previous Yacht Club; many discussions with the architect
Hayden said “We wanted a facility that would attract people of all ages whether they use
for gatherings or people who want to use what has brought them to the Yacht Club in the past the beach, and the pier In this case there will be two new piers ”
Preserving the history of the Yacht Club was of the utmost importance for city pioneers and long-standing residents A 14-person stakeholders group was put together at random by the city as they toured the facility before its demolition City Council said they have worked to figure out the best way to repurpose artifacts and building materials, and ensure the legacy of the old Yacht Club can be seen at the new site
“There will be a history room in the new building dedicated to the history of the previous Yacht Club,” Hayden said “That building w i l l i n c l u d e h i s t o r i c a l a r t i f a c t s , i n c l u d i n g pieces of the wooden beams and doors and, I am sure, plenty of photos The new fountain at the entrance will be similar to the fountain which was in front of the previous Yacht Club Ilczyszyn said Council chose to do a full rebuild of the pier which includes a design of a new pier that would include such areas as wind loads and static loads Due to the condition of the pilings, they decided not to move forward with partial opening, he said
A m e n i t i e s a t t h e n e w Ya c h t C l u b w i l l include a playground, expanded beach, an additional proposed restaurant, resort style pool, a two-story community center, children's pool multi-story parking garage boardwalk and the aforementioned new piers
The elected board passed a pair of resolutions at the mid-July meeting, that included:
❑ To authorize the preparation of the final design and construction documents for the Yacht Club Community Center at a not to exceed the amount of $7 316 186 96
❑ For the final design, construction documents, and construction services of the fishing pier at the Yacht Club in a not to exceed amount of $386,161 40
The construction is no longer being funded by the $60 million voter-approved Parks GO Bond which city staff said is largely due to unexpected increases in costs
The city is are still in the design phase, and does not have an expected completion date for construction
The design phase was authorized in July and is expected to last about 16 months, according to city staff City officials anticipate construction timelines will be generated towards the end of the design phase
NEW RESIDENTS – FROM PAGE 8B
pared, got documents together, and a kit of supplies Cetnor said she would have evacuated, but her husband was adamant on staying, coupled with information from neighbors on riding the storm out at home
“Then they predicted the storm was coming right at us, and I was scared, she said
As Ian made landfall the power went out the winds picked up, and Cetnor was hidden away in her closet with her rocking chair and a book to keep her nerves down
Cetnor ’s husband was in constant contact with the neighbors over the phone while they could, getting updates on the conditions outside Around 2:30 p m , “it was like a lake,” Cetnor said of her street “Water is flowing down our road Naturally nerves picked up with the whatif” the water continued to rise
Screen doors were blowing off, debris flying
around, but once nightfall hit, the water started to subside
“It was up to the back tire of our vehicle in the driveway, and all of a sudden, it started to recede,” she said “When we woke up My husband said, ‘I can’t believe this ’ You could see the street All of this water that was like a like, you wouldn t have guessed it was even there
“You could still see the devastation There were electrical poles that fell over The damage that was done was just awful ”
Cetnor said it was sad to see the residents lined up at the stores hoping to get water and gas, and the lights and street signs gone
“I’ve never seen anything like it in my life,”she said “And I told my husband I will not stay again
H a v i n g a b r a n d - n e w ro o f w a s t o t h e Cetnor ’s advantage, but their entire back lanai came down due to the winds
“I consider ourselves lucky,” she said “And the water didn’t come into our pool ” Cetnor added the silver lining to the entire situation was seeing the community come together
We were all looking out for each other she said “We shared a generator with our neighbor, asking if we needed anything It was great seeing how people helped out It was scary but I’m glad we made it through everything ” Cetnor ’s message to new residents of Cape Coral and hurricanes?
“I would say to be more prepared than you think you need to be,” she said “Make sure you have plenty of water, and batteries, and try to have a generator It really helped us make it t h ro u g h H a v e y o u r p e r s o n a l d o c u m e n t s secured And if they tell you to evacuate, to listen ”
NORTH FORT MYERS
Area about recovered from Ian
BY CHUCK BALLARO CAPE CORAL BREEZE FREELANCE REPORTER
Going around Tamiami Village, it appears things have returned to normal two years after Hurricane Ian hit
Most of the homes have been completely repaired, with a few still showing minor damage However, there is a telltale sign that Ian wreaked havoc on the community
Empty cement slabs where houses used to be, along with the occasional staircase without a house for people to enter
Many homes lost a lot of metal from garages, roofs and carports, especially the older ones Most of the piles of aluminum were tossed along the side of the road, which were then moved to another location into one larger pile
Nearby, Horizon Village didn’t see quite the damage There was carport and roof damage, but they didn t have to tear any houses down said Amanda Hill, sales agent at Horizon
“Now, we see about 10 percent of the homes that still need repairs,” Hill said “We got really lucky There was aluminum from the carports, and some of the carports weren’t totally destroyed ”
Hill also lives in Windmill Village, which didn’t do so well as several homes had to be torn down She lost her shed doors, but everything inside stayed there
“We had houses that lost walls The house next door had that happen People in the community believe that maybe a tornado touched down,” said Hill, who added Tamiami Village abuts her house “It’s an older community with homes going back to the 1970s ”
Swan Lake was one of the lucky communities post-Ian It had only one home seriously d a m a g e d b y t h e s t o r m a n d i t h a s b e e n rehabbed
After the storm, many seasonal residents returned to help with the cleanup, making the process a whole lot faster than in other communities
We had RVers who came down and everybody jumped in, hands on and got dirty getting this place cleaned up It speaks volumes about the people in this park
Steve Jordan Swan Lake Manager
Within weeks, if you didn t look carefully at the houses, you would have thought that Ian had never hit at all The debris was off the streets and placed on property behind the community thanks to a private company that handles its waste disposal
Steve Jordan, manager at Swan Lake, said it’s a testament to the community
“We had RVers who came down and everybody jumped in, hands on and got dirty getting this place cleaned up, Jordan said It speaks volumes about the people in this park
The newer manufactured home communities to the north sustained some damage, with many blue tarps on the roofs of the homes, but because of their elevation, proximity away from water and simply being newer homes, did a little better
Suncoast Estates, the largest mobile home community of them all, was decimated
A lot of homes were badly damaged or destroyed, which gave residents few options on where to shower or wash their clothes State Rep Spencer Roach was able to get temporary washers and dryers, showers and restrooms at
the Suncoast Community Center
who lives and works
Seafan Circle, said she got 18 inches of water
put her family out for
doors until April
“Still, with 18 inch-
and
Cloutier said “When we returned, all the showers worked and the toilet was set, but we had one
and no
For the most part, North Fort Myers is
point of view County Commissioner Brian Hamman said all that’s left is repairs to private property
People are going through with that, dealing with their insurance company which for some is a painful process As far as government
Angie Cloutier
Br ian Hamman
Ian brought heartbreak to local businesses
BY CHUCK BALLARO CAPE CORAL BREEZE FREELANCE REPORTER
WFor some, it spelled disaster for their business For others, it was about making fixes and reopening as fast as possible, sometimes in a different location, sometimes after months of frustration and dealing with insurance companies
However, despite everything, nearly all the businesses have been able to get back to work at some point, including those near the water Seacraft Three Fishermen Daddy Dee s Price Cutter Furniture, IHOP, and Region’s Bank, among others, all got heavy flooding damage and saw all its merchandise destroyed Thankfully, they were able to get back in business, according to Wendy Murray, executive director of the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce
“
Avery s Title got three feet of water and had to redo their whole place ” Murray said “There was nothing that closed due to Ian
storm and electricity within five days, and many businesses took the Chamber up on its offer until the company got back on its feet,
We were fortunate because we didn’t have a lot of damage other than the roof We were able to provide an office space for those who lost their office At any given time, we had three or four businesses working ”
Wendy Murray
north Fort Myers ChaMber oF CoMMerCe exeCutive direCtor
Some out-of-town companies came in to use the office for hiring, interviews, and general work, Murray said, adding those companies became Chamber members It was a couple months before those companies were able to return to the office
Ian meant so much to so many, most of it not so good Some even learned lessons from Irma in 2017 that they used to deal with Ian five years later
At ECHO, they were far enough away from the water to not have to deal with the flooding They still dealt with heavy damage to its buildings
However, the overall damage was nowhere near what it was during Irma when the farm itself was completely decimated despite the storm not being quite as severe
Elliott Toevs, deputy director, said before Irma, there hadn’t been a major storm in 12 years They had to learn their lessons the hard way
“A lot of our trees and other plants were destroyed by Irma and we learned a lot of lessons regarding what species and varieties we should have Toevs said Ian was a stronger storm and we had the same cleanup to do, but we knew what trees did well and which ones
didn’t ” Paradise Vintage Market lost its building at Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers in Ian and a realtor was able to find the old Hope Chest in North Fort Myers was available
Beth Meyer, managing partner at the market, said it took six months for the building to be ready
“ T h e o l d l o c a t i o n had so much damage a n d i t w a s n ’ t u n t i l May 1, 2023 that we were able to open up b e c a
re w a s three feet of water at t h e n e w l o c a
o n , ” Meyer said The location is perfect for us
Meyer felt like she was cursed, having to deal with a pandemic when they opened in 2020, then Ian, then t h e c l o s i n g o f t h e C a l o o s a h a t c h e e Bridge this summer
J o h n G a r t n e r,
Insurance saw his both business and home destroyed in Ian His job is to help people in their worst time of need and he found himself in the same need, he said
“We learned a lot Cried a lot, and here we are on the other side almost complete We ended up relocating within the same building until we finished the remodel,” Gartner said “We are almost ready to move in, but we’re still dealing with customers
It has taken nearly two years, but the old Lee County Insurance offices will reopen sometime in November The company never went out of business or ceased operations and continues to handle Ian claims to this day
At Zeal Institute, they were forced to move from their old location to its current one on H
The old location had roof and structural damage and possible mold issues from the blowing rain as well as loss of power for a long
John Gar tner
Wendy Mur ray
Staff and volunteers at ECHO reinforce a tree damaged by Ian ECHO
HEARTBREAK – FROM PAGE 12B
customers to park down the street
impacted many of her employees and students, who had to find a new location, which is smaller than the old one, but has been a blessing for them in some respects
“Moving there was very stressful I’m happy we were able to act quickly to find a location that would get them to continue their education with Zeal Dorisme said We were able to adjust our schedule to be more flexible for our students ”
The Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Old 41 closed after the storm because of severe damage to the store and merchandise and didn’t reopen until February
When it did, after contributions from the community to restock the store, thousands came to celebrate the occasion forcing some
“This is our flagship store and we lost 30 000 square feet of merchandise Everything we had here had to go into the Dumpster,” Habitat CEO Becky Lucas said “We hoped the community would come out to support the opening Never did we realize we would see such generosity and so many of our longtime customers come back ”
Those places that closed were not storm related Nestor s a popular Greek diner for many years near the Cape Coral city line never reopened and closed six months after the storm because the previous owners decided to sell and retire It was replaced by Cork Soakers Deck & Wine Bar
Sanibel after its bar was destroyed to open in North Fort Myers at Marinatown, opening early this year
As there were many losers in the storm
There were also winners Some companies have never been busier, regardless of whether their building was destroyed or not That was especially true for contractors, roofers, etc Phillip Metzler, sales and marketing specialist for Serv-Pro in Cape Coral, saw lots of business in North Fort Myers and vicinity come his way We were so busy after the 25,000 calls we got in one storm we brought the cavalry in from all over the country We were fortunate people came from all over We could never have done it all ourselves,” Metzler said “It was nice to have other Serv-Pros come in ” Metzler said there are still some stragglers who are still waiting for their insurance checks but crisis repairs and at this point
RECOVERED – FROM PAGE 10B
infrastructure, we have gotten that repaired,” Hamman said Most of the places like the rec center and library have been located out of the flood zone They held up well ”
Pretty much the same can be said about the rest of North Fort Myers Those on the river who received a significant amount of flooding (up to four feet in some areas) have mostly repaired their homes
The tree branches and other clutter has long been removed, making everything appear as if everything is normal
Hamman said the only area that s in need of improvement is Old Bridge Marina on Old 41 near the river The county is working with the city of Fort Myers to see if they can get those vessels removed
Hamman said boats have different rights than debris on land Removal of those vessels require a painstaking following of directions
That process is taking longer than anyone has wanted it to Because a lot of those boats are submerged on land that is the property of Fort Myers, we’ve had to work with the city,” Hamman said “It’s an eyesore when you come off the Edison Bridge I would love to see the owner get the boats out of there and redevelop the area
As for the future of North Fort Myers, it’s full steam ahead The county is still trying to decide what to do with the Lee Civic Center, which could entail making it larger to accommodate the growing population
Hamman said the area is back and doing very well Even places that got a lot of storm surge
Waterway Estates is moving forward holding community meetings recently We’re continuing along with our plans,” Hamman said “Private properties are working hard to get back ”
Also in the pipeline is the new apartment complex being built where the old Hancock Bridge Square Shopping Plaza was, the condos at Merchants Crossing, and much more
As for Paradise Isle, it seems more likely that that project may never take off after countless delays and the need for funding that hasn’t arrived Any momentum has been lost
FORT MYERS BEACH
The coastline of For t Myers Beach on Sept 17, two years after Hur r icane Ian
