10060 Amberwood Road, Fort Myers, Florida 33913
Michelle Hoffmann, LandQwest Commercial, 333-2508, www.lqwest.com
1994, 7,596 Sq. Ft. Total, Units 1, 4, 5 – 8
$3.95 Sq. Ft. Triple Net, 2,100 – 7,596 Sq. Ft. Available
10060 Amberwood Road, Fort Myers, Florida 33913
Michelle Hoffmann, LandQwest Commercial, 333-2508, www.lqwest.com
1994, 7,596 Sq. Ft. Total, Units 1, 4, 5 – 8
$3.95 Sq. Ft. Triple Net, 2,100 – 7,596 Sq. Ft. Available
1085 Business Lane, Unit 6, Naples, Florida 34110
Tom Wilson, Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT, 595-0918, tomandpennywilson@comcast.net
2001, 2,178 Sq. Ft. Total, Office With Warehouse Space
$9.35 Sq. Ft. Triple Net, 2,178 Sq. Ft. Available, For Sale – $210,000
14421 Metropolis Avenue, Lot #6, (Near Gulf Coast Hospital), Fort Myers, Florida 33912
Randal L. Mercer, Brandon Stoneburner, CRE Consultants, LLC, 481-3800 Ext. 204, 320, www.creconsultants.com
2005, 9,750 Sq. Ft. Total
$10 Sq. Ft. + OpEx, 2,485 Sq. Ft. Available, Marquee Signage, Excellent Layout
1827 Trade Center Way, Naples, Florida 34109
Mike Carr, Jr., Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT, 216-4902, mjcarr@cbcworldwide.com
1995, 12,220 Sq. Ft. Total
$7 Sq. Ft. Net, 1,830-3,890 Sq. Ft. Available
18491 North Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers, Florida 33903
Rokki Rogan, LandQwest Commercial, 333-2505, www.lqwest.com
2001, 8,080 Sq. Ft. Total
For Sale – $380,000
2740 Oak Ridge Court, Two Units # 301, 302, 303, 304, Fort Myers, Florida 33901
Rokki Rogan, LandQwest Commercial, 333-2505, www.lqwest.com
2006, Available, 4 Units
For Sale – $388,000, 4 Units of 988 Sq. Ft. Each Available, Bank Owned
2840 Hunter Street, Fort Myers, Florida 33916
Adam Palmer, CCIM, Mike Doyle, CCIM, LandQwest Commercial, 333-4361, www.lqwest.com
2004, 30,000 Sq. Ft. Total
For Sale – $890,000
2872 – 2903 S.W. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral, Florida 33991
Karen Goncalves, Joe Castagna, RE/MAX Realty Team, 887-0237, 872-8433
Now Available, 9.7 Acres Total, Corridor Zoning
For Sale – $800,000, Lot & Boat Dock, Fire Sale
3550 Westview Drive, Naples, Florida 34104
Mike Carr, Jr., Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT, 216-4902, mjcarr@cbcworldwide.com
2001, 13,812 Sq. Ft. Total
$8.25 Sq. Ft. Gross, 2,300 Sq. Ft Office/Showroom Available, 1,800 Sq. Ft. Warehouse Available, 4,100 Sq. Ft. Available
3661 Central Avenue, Fort Myers, Florida 33901
Mark Alexander, CCIM, Sperry Van Ness, 826-4174, www.svn.com
1980, 6,930 Sq. Ft. Total
For Lease – $7 Sq. Ft., 6,930 Sq. Ft. Available, For Sale – $450,000 ($65 Sq. Ft.)
3810 Cleveland Avenue, (North of Edison & Across from Red Lobster), Fort Myers, Florida 33901
Mark L. Morris, VIP Realty-Commercial, 489-3303 Ext.175, MMorris@viprealty.com
24,200 Sq. Ft. Total, .56 Acres, Zoned CI-Commercial Intensive, All Utilities are Available to the Site
For Sale – $265,000 (Motivated Seller), Within the City of Fort Myers, Redevelopment Area, 42,000 Cars Per Day
4262 Canal Street, Fort Myers, Florida 33961
Dan Guoan, CRE Consultants, LLC, 659-1447 Ext. 14, www.creconsultants.com
2006, 1,384 Sq. Ft. Total (Building), 3.03 Acres Total (Land)
For Sale – $1.2 Million ($9.09 Sq. Ft.), Building & Land Only, Leased Investment Property
4776 Radio Road #208, Naples, Florida 34104
Frank Szelest, CCIM, RE/MAX Realty Group, 689-2226, fszelest@hotmail.com
1985, 1,200 Sq. Ft. Total
For Sale – $99,000, Bank Owned
5465 Jaeger Road #10, Naples, Florida 34109
Tom Wilson, Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT, 595-0918, tomandpennywilson@comcast.net
2006, 2,000 Sq. Ft. Total
$10 Sq. Ft. Gross, 2,000 Sq. Ft. Available
660 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, Florida 34102
Rodney Harvey, Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT, 216-4929, rdharvey@ccim.net
1973, 690 Sq. Ft. Total
Call Agent For Lease Prices, 180-690 Sq. Ft. Available, May Be Combined For Large Suites
6804 Porto Fino Circle, Fort Myers, Florida 33912
Adam Palmer, CCIM, Bob Reynolds, CCIM, LandQwest Commercial, 275-4922, www.lqwest.com
1992, 4,000 Sq. Ft. Total
$12 Sq. Ft., 2,000-4,000 Sq. Ft. Available
9201 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, Florida 33919
Marc Crowley, Dwyer Crowley Realty, 961-2255, Marc@Crowley-RE.com
1982, 4,452 Sq. Ft. Total, Fully Functioning Opthamologist Office In South Fort Myers
For Sale – $431,844 ($97 Sq. Ft.)
975 6th Avenue South, Naples, Florida 34102
Tom Ouverson, Fifth Town Real Estate Services, 290-5440
1987, 11,000 Sq. Ft. Total, Class A Building
For Sale – $2.45 Million
Airport Crossings, Treeline Avenue & Airport Entrance, Fort Myers, Florida 33912
Mike Doyle, CCIM, LandQwest Commercial, 275-4922, www.lqwest.com
3.8 Acres Total
$18-$21 Sq. Ft., 2.1-3.8 Acres Available
Alico Road Corridor, 17174 & 17200 Jean Street, Fort Myers, Florida 33967
Randal L. Mercer, Brandon Stoneburner, CRE Consultants, LLC, 481-3800 Ext. 204, 320, www.creconsultants.com
Now Available, 100,188 Sq. Ft. Total, (2.3 Acres), Zoned IG, Heavy Industrial
$3,000 Per Month Gross, Abundant Yard Space
Bonita Professional Plaza, 3521 Bonita Bay Boulevard, Bonita Springs, Florida 34134
Jay Crandall, CCIM, Crandall Commercial Group, LLC, 221-8481, jay@jaycrandall.com
1998, 3,500 Sq. Ft. Total, Stand-Alone Building
$10 Sq.Ft. Triple Net + CAM($7.44), 3,500 Sq.Ft Available, Showing by Appointment Only
The leasing and management team at Naples-based Cameron Real Estate Services, Inc. (CRES) reported a strong fourth quarter, capping off an active 2011. As of mid-December, the company had completed more than 50 lease transactions totaling approximately 60,000sf of retail, office and industrial space.
|Cape Coral Executive Suites, 1222 S.E. 47th Street, Cape Coral, Florida 33904
Lubomir Silhavy, Matsumora Investments, LLC, 601-4163, 673-5110
2011, 25,000 Sq. Ft. Total, 75 Suites Total
From $199 Per Month and Up (Includes CAM), From 65 – 820 Sq. Ft. Available, Includes Receptionist, Modern Lobby Area and Cafeteria
Carrell Corners West, 5973 – 3640 Fowler Street & Evans Street, (Located At the Intersection of Fowler Street & Carrell Road), Fort Myers, Florida 33901
Lisa Sands, VIP Realty-Commercial, 489-3303 Ext.177, LSands@viprealty.com
1981-1988, 5,000 Sq. Ft. Total, All Utilities to the Site, Zoned-PUD, (Planned Urban Development)
Lease Rates Negotiable, 800-5,000 Sq. Ft. Available, Office and/or Retail Space Available, Abundant Parking
Time is running out to secure a reservation for the 2012 Cattle Barons’ Ball, which will be held on January 21. Now in its ninth year, this unique event benefits the American Cancer Society of Lee County.
|David Harrod has been named chief administrative officer of Park Royal Hospital. Situated on the HealthPark Medical Center campus in south Fort Myers, the new 76-bed mental health facility is scheduled to open in January.
|Lee County’s Parks and Recreation Department has awarded Chris-Tel Construction the contract to build a new community recreation center in North Fort Myers Park.
|City Center, 944 Country Club Boulevard, (Veterans Memorial Parkway North on Country Club Boulevard), Cape Coral, Florida 33990
Patti Martin, Cape Realty, Inc., 851-7700, 542-1998, pattipm@comcast.net
1973/Remodeled 2004, 10,600 Sq. Ft. Total
For Lease – $135 and Up Per Month, For Sale – $475, 000, Owner Financing for Qualified Buyer
College Parkway Corridor, 6360 Presidential Court, Fort Myers, Florida 33919
Enn Luthringer, CCIM, CRE Consultants, LLC, 481-3800, www.creconsultants.com
1979, 1,487 Sq. Ft. Total, Zoned CT, Commercial Tourist (Lee County)
$10 Sq. Ft. + CAM (Includes Electric), 1,272 & 1,487 Sq. Ft. Available, Easily Divisible & Flexible As Necessary
Confidential, Naples, Florida 34110
Bill Young, CRE Consultants, LLC, 659-1447 Ext. 29, www.creconsultants.com
2001, 4,500 Sq. Ft. Total
For Sale – $450,000, 165 Seat Bar/Restaurant Business, Call For Details
Stevens Construction, Inc. has begun building a 9,102sf surgery center for Orthopedic Specialists of SW Florida. It is the ninth such facility Stevens has built in the past six years.
|CRE Consultants in Fort Myers has expanded its real estate sales and leasing staff with the following commercial specialists.
|Deerbrook, Inc. has completed its second renovation project for The Royal Shell Companies, converting a former Blockbuster storefront on U.S. 41 in Bonita Springs into offices for the real estate and vacation rental management company. The 5,100sf building includes a reception area, 15 offices, 29 workstations and four conference rooms.
|Equestrian Professional Center, 12264 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, Florida 34114
Mike Carr, Jr., Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT, 216-4902, mjcarr@cbcworldwide.com
2005, 1,500 Sq. Ft. Total
$2,500 Per Month, 1,500 Sq. Ft. Available
Former Kia Dealership, 1472 Airport Road South, Naples, Florida 34104
Richard Tucker, Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT, 216-4919, timothy.geraci@flcomml.com
2000, 11,600 Sq. Ft. Total
$11.50 Sq. Ft. Triple Net, 11,600 Sq. Ft. Available, For Sale – $3.1 Million
Recently, Gulfcoast Consulting Group, Inc. (GCG) in Fort Myers was awarded the design and development coordination for the new Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida Retail and Donation Center. It will be located at 10351 Corkscrew Commons Drive in Estero and consist of approximately 11,000sf.
|Since opening for business in 1988, GCM Contracting Solutions (GCM) has built many of the largest and most visible examples of tilt-wall concrete construction in Southwest Florida, including Chico’s World Headquarters, the Miromar Design Center and much of the Gulf Coast Town Center. However, as demand for large-scale commercial projects has declined dramatically, GCM has shifted its focus almost exclusively to design-build general contracting for local and national clients.
|You’d never suspect it by looking, but there’s a revolution underway on the ground floor of the Gorovoy M.D. Eye Specialists building in Fort Myers. That’s where the owner of Good2Go Healthy Takeout is working to change the way people think about health and wellness — one smoothie, sandwich or entree at a time.
|During the fourth quarter, the Lee Building Industry Association honored J.L. Wallace, Inc. with three Summit Awards at its annual awards dinner.
|During the fourth quarter, Land Solutions, Inc. in Fort Myers was named Commercial Broker of the Year by the Lee Building Industry Association.
|Brokers with LandQwest Commercial in Fort Myers reported numerous closed transactions during the last three months of 2011, including several significant sales.
|In December, veteran commercial brokers Bob Johnston, SIOR, Jerry Messonnier, SIOR and Richard B. Clarke partnered with Lee & Associates to open its first Florida office, Lee & Associates|Naples-Ft. Myers. It is the firm’s 45th office nationwide.
|Brokers with Lee & Associates| Naples-Ft. Myers recently closed the following transactions in Fort Myers (unless otherwise noted).
|The Lee Building Industry Association (Lee BIA) will host its 6th annual Contractors Showcase on Thursday, January 19 from 4 p.m. — 7 p.m. at Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers.
|The Nicholas Commerce Park on Nicholas Parkway, two blocks south of Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, is now 55% leased. According to Precision Property Management Service’s JoAnn Dusharm, 17 of the park’s 30 units are now occupied.
|Brokers with LandQwest Commercial continue to sign new tenants to Page Field Commons in Fort Myers.
|Parish Olde Towne Centre, 1020 8th Avenue South, Naples, Florida 34102
Bruce Miner, Cameron Real Estate Services, Inc., 261-1111
1974, 9,248 Sq. Ft. Total
For Sale – $895,000
Parkland Center, 6428 & 6432 Parkland Drive, Sarasota, Florida
Fred Kermani, CCIM, AIA, CRE Consultants, LLC, 481-3800, www.creconsultants.com
1987, 48,010 Sq. Ft. Total, 6 Acres Total
For Lease – $5 Sq. Ft + $2.08 Taxes & Ins., For Sale – $3 Million ($62 Sq. Ft.), 2 Interconnected Office Buildings
Riverfront Center Professional Office, 2075 West First Street, (Corner of West First Street & Wilna Street), Fort Myers, Florida 33901
Lisa Sands, VIP Realty-Commercial, 489-3303 Ext.177, LSands@viprealty.com
1973/Renovated 2010, 21,571 Sq. Ft. Total, Elevator & Lobby, Zoned U-CTR, (Urban Center)
For Lease – $12.09-$13.22 Sq. Ft., Gross + Sales Tax, For Sale – $2.45 Million, Two 1,300 Sq. Ft. Suites Available, Private Fenced Parking
Agents with Cushman & Wakefield|Commercial Property Southwest Florida, LLC recently negotiated the following sale & lease transactions. All properties are in Fort Myers unless otherwise noted.
|Brokers and agents with RE/MAX Realty Group, Commercial Division in Fort Myers, report the following recent sales and leases. All transactions are in Fort Myers unless otherwise noted.
|VIP Realty – Commercial recently reported the following sale and lease transactions in Fort Myers.
|Commercial brokers with CRE Consultants in Fort Myers reported a number of $1 million-plus sales and strong leasing activity in the final quarter of 2011.
|Sheeley Architects, Inc. received three Summit Awards at the 2011 Lee BIA’s Industry Awards banquet. The Fort Myers-based firm won for projects in Lee and Collier counties in the following categories.
|In December, Stevens Construction Inc. began work on a 30,640sf remodel and addition at Suncoast Beverage Sales at 2996 Hanson Street in Fort Myers.
|Stevens Construction Inc. reports the fourth-quarter completion of the Joint Implant Surgeons of Florida medical office for Drs. Edward Humbert, Dennis Sagini, Jon Kimball and John Fenning. The Fort Myers-based medical practice specializes in hip and knee replacement, upper extremity, hand, spine and general orthopedics.
|Tamiami Trail East at Royal Hammock Boulevard, Naples, Florida 34113
Fred Kermani, CCIM, AIA, CRE Consultants, LLC, 481-3800, www.creconsultants.com
Now Available, 6.45 Acres Total, Tract B of Royal Palm Gulf Estates
For Sale – $340,000 ($1.21 Sq. Ft.), Lake & Golf Course View, 930 Foot Frontage on U.S. 41, Cleared & Ready to be Developed
The Delaware Corporation of Florida recently completed a 1,400sf expansion of the Ted Todd Insurance Agency’s corporate headquarters at 10020 Coconut Road at The Brooks in Bonita Springs.
|The 7800 Building, 7800 University Pointe Drive, Fort Myers, Florida 33909
Richard Tucker, Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT, 216-4919, timothy.geraci@flcomml.com
1996, 21,600 Sq. Ft. Total
$9-$11 Sq. Ft. + CAM, 9,600 Sq. Ft. Second Floor or 4,000 Sq. Ft. First Floor Available, For Sale – $3 Million
The Ship Restaurant, 24080 South Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, Florida 34134
Bill Wolf, Commercial Realty of Bonita Springs, 825-5755, www.crgbonita.com
1981, 16,000 Sq. Ft. Total, Includes 3.62 Acres
For Sale – $1.75 Million, Just Land & Building
Jerry Wallace, president and CEO of J. L. Wallace Inc., developer Joe Allardt and commercial Realtor Todd Fitzgerald have formed TurnKey Developers, LLC. The company’s mission is to locate and develop commercial centers, invest in businesses that will operate in those centers and work with large, national companies to bring jobs into the market.
|Rib City rang out the old with a new location in Virginia’s largest city. In December, the Fort Myers-based barbecue franchise opened its first Virginia location at 4688 Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach.
|Walgreens OptionCare, 11341 Lindbergh Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33913
Randal L. Mercer, Brandon Stoneburner, CRE Consultants, LLC, 481-3800 Ext. 204, 320, www.creconsultants.com
2001, 12,000 Sq. Ft. Total, 2.12 Acres Total
For Sale – $1.3 Million ($108 Sq. Ft.), 9% CAP Rate ($108 Sq. Ft.), Parking Ratio 6.085/1,000 Sq. Ft
Wright Construction Group took home a 2011 Lee Building Industry Association Summit Award for its work on the Waterside Medical Complex at Shell Point Retirement Community in south Fort Myers.
|
You’d never suspect it by looking, but there’s a revolution underway on the ground floor of the Gorovoy M.D. Eye Specialists building in Fort Myers. That’s where the owner of Good2Go Healthy Takeout is working to change the way people think about health and wellness — one smoothie, sandwich or entree at a time.
Many people consider professional success and personal satisfaction a lopsided proposition at best and an either-or situation at worst. Neither has been the case for Cyndi Ott, who has found both as the owner of Robins Nest Bakery in Fort Myers.
With its sleek and stunning good looks, Pure Urban Oasis is the kind of restaurant and bar you’d be apt to find in Manhattan or Miami. Luckily for Southwest Floridians, Pure is much closer to home.
Located in Mercato in north Naples, it offers all the style and sophistication of a major metropolitan eatery with the energetic vibe of an urban nightclub. Remarkably, it is the only independently owned and operated restaurant in the sprawling center, which is home to a number of high-profile, national chains.
In Southwest Florida, there’s nothing better than a waterfront restaurant that looks like a tourist trap but gets rave reviews from the locals. There aren’t many that fit the bill, particularly around Fort Myers Beach, which is just one reason why Nervous Nellie’s is such a pleasant surprise.
Located in the old Snug Harbor space on First Street under the Matanzas Pass Bridge, Nervous Nellie’s proves that a great view and great food do not have to be mutually exclusive. It’s a combination that has proven popular with visitors who pack the place inside and out during season. More important, the restaurant and its upstairs bar, Ugly’s Waterside, have also made a big impression on a crowd that’s even harder to please — those who live here year-round.
Freshness applies to more than just the fish at Blu Sushi, which continues to develop and refine its winning concept. Although it’s hard to hone perfection, Blu’s owners have long had a knack for finding fresh ways to improve upon greatness. Obviously, it’s working.
Being an established and successful restaurant can be a double-edged sword. While it’s an advantage to be well-known and well-liked, it’s an ongoing challenge to stay that way. If you don’t change you risk growing stale; change too much or too often and you risk losing the following that put you on top. Find the perfect balance and you’ve found Bistro 41 in the Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers.
You’ve got to love a business that puts a money-back guarantee in writing, especially when that business is a restaurant. But don’t expect a free meal at Rib City.
Although the owners promise to pick up the tab of any customer who picks up a knife to eat their ribs, that’s not likely to happen with Rib City’s fall-off-the-bone baby backs. In fact, everything on the menu reflects an unwavering commitment to quality that has made the Fort Myers-based chain a household name nationwide.
In Southwest Florida’s revolving-door world of fine-dining restaurants and ubiquitous chain eateries, the Veranda is an original. Since 1978, it has impressed locals, tourists and food critics with its antebellum charm and unique menu, making it one of the area’s most enduring and award-winning restaurants. Because it has remained true to its Old Florida roots, the Veranda has never gone out of style or fallen out of favor with diners.
When Biddle’s Restaurant & Piano Bar moved to its new south Fort Myers location last April, it represented both an expansion and a consolidation. While its previous Fort Myers location (in Sanibel Beach Place plaza) and Biddle’s Bucket restaurant on Sanibel have closed, owner Andy Biddle has incorporated the best of both under one recently-remodeled roof in a highly visible spot.
The Prawnbroker Restaurant & Fish Market had plenty of competition and customers when it first opened in 1982. What’s remarkable is that 28 years later, most of its competitors are long gone and the Prawnbroker is still packing them in at its south Fort Myers location.
“We’ve seen the good times, survived the bad times and we’re still going strong,” says general manager Steve Wolfe, who has been at the helm from the outset. “We have a great customer base. Now I’m seeing the children and grandchildren of our early customers.”
The restaurant at the Fort Myers Country Club on McGregor Boulevard has been known by many names over the years, none for an extended period. This time, however, the historic, local landmark seems to have acquired a lasting identity as The Edison.
Unbeknownst to many Southwest Floridians, in recent years Vapiano has garnered national and international acclaim among restaurant industry insiders for its innovative approach to dining. Best described as “upscale fast casual,” the concept incorporates self-service and top-quality, made-to-order food items into one ultra-modern setting. It’s a unique epicurean experience that’s catching on locally at Gulf Coast Town Center in Fort Myers.
Other than the signage and strip center location, there’s little about the Sweet Bean Coffee Cafe that resembles a commercial operation. Unlike its ubiquitous corporate coffee competitors, Sweet Bean is a locally owned and operated original.
Bacchus of Fort Myers in the Bell Tower Shops occupies a space that has had many names over the years, including Bacchus, Dragonfly Bistro, Bacco and Toro. Now that it is back to being known as Bacchus, some diners question whether it’s the “real” Bacchus and whether the food is as good as the original’s.
Until earlier this year, there was little reason to visit Fort Myers Beach other than to frolic in the surf and sand. But with the January opening of Bayfront Bistro, diners from Sarasota to Marco Island are making the journey to experience Lee County’s hottest new waterfront restaurant. There’s much to savor at this exceptional spot.
It’s one thing to create clever menu concepts, but to prepare and present food that tastes as good as it looks takes real talent. Obviously, that’s something that Southwest Florida restaurateur Shannon Yates has in abundance.
If you’re from the South, you already know that barbecue, grits, cornbread and fried green tomatoes are dietary staples. But you don’t have to be a southerner to appreciate the delightful treat of dining at Lee Roy Selmon’s in Fort Myers. Located at the southeast corner of Daniels Parkway and U.S. 41, it is one of six Southwest Florida establishments named for the legendary football star.
If you confuse dining value with fast-food combo meals delivered via drive-through window, you need to visit Bear Rock Cafe in Fort Myers. Since opening a year ago, the eatery has proven that freshly-made meals can be tasty, quick and affordable. In fact, for less than $20, two people can enjoy a hearty home-cooked lunch or dinner – no small feat in today’s economy.
Unless you’re hungry for sushi, you’re guaranteed to find something to suit your appetite at Icabod’s Wicked Good Food and Drink in south Fort Myers. In fact, its oversized, four-page menu is so extensive and jam-packed with choices, it may be impossible to settle on a single item.
Unless you’re from Cape Cod, you might assume that the Roadhouse Cafe is a place that serves wings and beer to patrons clad in t-shirts. Well, don’t let the name fool you.
Located in the Gulf Point Plaza in south Fort Myers, the Roadhouse Cafe is one of the best fine dining restaurants to open in Southwest Florida in years. Formerly known as La Brasserie, Roadhouse offers outstanding food, entertainment and service in an elegant yet homey atmosphere.
After Jimmy Buffett’s “Cheeseburger in Paradise” became a hit in 1978, restaurants throughout south Florida and beyond claimed to be the inspiration behind the song. Life imitated art in 2002, when the songwriter himself opened the first Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant (in Indianapolis).
With pizza parlors on seemingly every corner in Southwest Florida, finding a pie is never a problem. Finding a great one is another matter – unless you know about Starz Restaurant & Pizzeria.
In just the last six months, Cape Harbour in southwest Cape Coral has become as well known for its restaurants as for its million-dollar waterfront homes. There, the restaurateurs behind the hugely popular Rumrunners restaurant have established two new and diverse options for casual dining with The Joint and Run Agrounds.
In most restaurants, music is used a background device to establish the ambience of the dining room and help set the tempo for the meal. But that’s not always the case.
Restaurants that succeed in downtown Fort Myers seem to share several distinctive characteristics.
For one thing, they tend to be owned and operated by restaurateurs with considerable experience not only in Southwest Florida, but also in larger, metropolitan areas or at world-class resorts in exotic destinations. The food and service reflect as much. Also, the owners appear to regard downtown as more than just a location, but rather a commitment to contribute to the area’s redevelopment.
It was a stunning blow to area diners when a fire in 2005 gutted Romano’s Macaroni Grill in south Fort Myers. The fact that Italian restaurants seem to be on every block from Punta Gorda to Marco Island brought little comfort to the restaurant’s loyal patrons.
When pondering where to go for lunch or dinner, Shell Point Retirement Community is not likely to be the first place to spring to mind. Considered by many to be Lee County’s best-kept secret, most visitors to Shell Point are pleasantly surprised to find that several of the community’s dining venues are open to the public. One of them is the Palm Grill.
When the Sunshine Café in south Fort Myers got a new owner last year, some long-time customers were a bit anxious. Many feared there would be an overhaul, drastically changing the character and menu they’d come to love. Fortunately, the new owner was Sandy Stilwell, and in the year since she’s been in charge, loyal patrons of the old Sunshine Café have more reasons than ever to like it as the Sunshine Seafood Café & Lounge.
Like the rest of Southwest Florida, downtown Fort Myers was a far different place when Harold’s on Bay opened just a few years ago. Beau Rivage had yet to open and plans for downtown redevelopment were still being formulated. So when respected chef Harold Balink decided to launch a new restaurant in the space once occupied by Peter’s La Cuisine, he knew he had his work cut out for him.
It’s rare to find a Southwest Florida restaurant whose adult patrons were children when they enjoyed their first meal there. Fortunately for local diners, Mona Lisa is just such a place.
At first glance, one might not notice that there’s been a change in the roster of four-star restaurants at the Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers. That’s why it behooves fine-food lovers to revisit one of the center’s prime spots, now occupied by Bacco Restaurant & Wine Bar.
It’s a good sign when a restaurant opens to rave reviews and standing-room-only crowds. It’s an even better sign when that is still the case after two years in business.
How would you like to reach thousands each week in the Southwest Florida area, not only in print, but online also?
We have several advertising opportunities available. Please contact us using our online form, or call (239) 481 - 7775.
