What is the Status of Sanibel & Captiva Businesses?

Sanibel

Sanibel Businesses Currently Open

Cielo

Cielo opened Tuesday, November 15, 2022 with a limited menu and hours from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday.

Island Inn

The Island Inn is open right now and accepting reservations for pass-holding Property Owners, Businesses & Relief Workers! Interested parties are instructed to call the Inn directly at (239) 472-1561. Our 12 Luxury Suites in our Matthews Lodge were built to Cat 5 standards in 2017 and performed amazingly. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis. A general overview of “Know Before You Book” is listed below. See full Rules, Guidelines,Terms & Conditions that must be signed at check-in here: https://islandinnsanibel.com/hurricane-ian-booking-rules-terms-conditions/?fbclid=IwAR0md-ZRKnV_xOzNvgq2NzpBVwZT6lwhJTpwGBGyTf_1g-HkTIA0NCScGS0

Jerry's

We are open 7am-7pm, 7 days a week. The Deli, Café, and Coquina Coffee are open from 7am-2pm. We are able to offer a limited assortment of food items. The basic items we are able to provide include: Dry goods, canned goods, limited refrigerated items. We are now offering a small assortment of hardware related items to assist everyone in their recovery efforts. We have a variety of products available including: Saws, shovels, hoses, PPE, air filters, hand tools, screws, nails, glue, and more. As soon as we begin to re-establish our supply chain, and make further repairs to our facility, we will be able to offer more products and services.

Sanibel Deli

Monday & Thursday: 7am - 3pm, Tuesday & Wednesday, Friday: 7am - 4pm, Saturday: 7am - 5pm, Sunday: Closed

Sanibel Grill

Open Thursday-Sunday Noon-6PM with cold beer, full bar, limited menu, Sunday NFL ticket.

Traders

Sanibel Businesses Currently Open in Fort Myers

Sanibel Businesses Planning to Reopening

Bailey's General Store

Calli Johnson, whose family founded Bailey’s General Store more than a century ago, said the aisles are filled with product which floated off shelves and the cold-case displays, along with the coffee bar, were displaced. “And a lot of things are covered in mold,” she said. The flat roof of the grocery store held nearly 500 hurricane-rated solar panels, most of which stayed in place. A major renovation project had commenced earlier this year at the shopping center. It marked the first substantial changes to the center in nearly 40 years. “It will be quicker for us to stay closed and renovate,” said Johnson. “We are unsure of when we will reopen.”

Blue Giraffe

Doc Ford's Sanibel

Our Doc Ford’s Sanibel location is currently closed due to Hurricane Ian damage. The building itself faired pretty well overall. We received some significant damage to our mechanical equipment on the roof, including 1 completely destroyed rooftop AC unit, and a makeup air unit for our hood system in the kitchen. All very fixable problems! We also received about 1′ of water inside the building. We’ve gone through the proper mold remediation process to eliminate and prevent any mold from growing further, and will work as quickly as possible to put back all the pieces! We’re fortunate to be in the position we are, considering how devastating this hurricane was to our little island as a whole. We’ll be able to re-open within a few months if all goes well, there are many that can’t say the same. We’re grateful for how well this community has pulled together, and we can’t wait to be back!

The Fig East End

Unfortunately due to the complete loss of the store, the financial unknowns in the future, and challenges of getting our other location reopened sadly The Fig East will not be reopening. Don't worry OG Paper Fig Kitchen will reopen in some form in the VERY near future. We cannot express our gratitude for all of the support over the past year. We will miss the East End tremendously. We hope to see the beautiful faces of our community at Paper Fig Kitchen asap.

Joey's Custard

The damage was even worse than first suspected. 6’ plus of water covered everything in the store. We even had full chest freezers float over the customer counter and everything was spun like it was in a washing machine. Crazy. All of our actual merchandise was destroyed in the storm except for a few hats that were at the embroidery shop. We will be releasing those hats and some awesome post storm Joeys gear in the near future but for now if you see anything out there please know it is a scam. We are not sure what the future is for our beloved Bailey's of Sanibel, but we are committed to rebuild and serve your family again in the future.

Lighthouse Cafe

The Lighthouse Café took about 5 feet, 10 inches of water from the storm surge, he said, and it destroyed almost everything. About 60% of the Lighthouse pictures that people had been giving the family for decades were unrecoverable. “But 40% was,” he said. The building requires a total gut renovation. The Lighthouse Café employs a staff of 19 and some of them and their families have lost their homes, too. Given all that Southwest Florida has to set right, the restoration will be a long time coming, Billheimer realizes. “Even though it will take a lot of time and a herculean effort to reopen, I am motivated by all these future possibilities,” he said. “I have been able to grieve and mourn the old Lighthouse Café, and now it’s time to look forward. The aftermath of Hurricane Ian is a great lesson in problem-solving.”

MacIntosh Books + Paper

The magic of MacIntosh will continue online and on Crowdcast for the near future, but we will be together in a physical space very soon. It will just take time. We finished cleaning out our space so that Benchmark Construction can begin assessing the damage and formulating a plan. https://bookshop.org/shop/macintosh

Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen

While it will be quite a long haul and challenging effort - we have commenced the clean up and rebuild of Mudbugs and look forward to the reopening of our wonderful island and restaurant. In the meantime - nearly all of our dedicated employees find themselves without employment and many without a residence. This fundraiser will be 100% for our employees to help them in their real struggles. Whatever amount is raised - my family will match it 100% your generosity - no matter what the amount. We look forward to the day when we can re-employ our amazing staff and serve our island family! On behalf of the Mudbugs employees, thanks for your consideration and help. https://www.gofundme.com/f/displaced-employees-of-mudbugs-cajun-kitchen?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cf%20share-flow-1&fbclid=IwAR3Wvf41dtytyYV7mMxy7GUFE5S-u4cWn2qTEO-bMkzACbiZ_J3lUs_VQlA

Paper Fig Kitchen

OG Paper Fig Kitchen will reopen in some form in the VERY near future.

The Pecking Order

The Pecking Order survived but we won’t be able to cook for you for a while. Sending prayers to you and your loved ones.

Over Easy Cafe

Sweet Melissa's Cafe

"Sweet Melissa’s was gutted by Ian, the entire contents of 15 years of work is in the parking lot. I want to thank everyone who has reached out and offered so much love and support. Now the rebuilding process will begin and we will be back on Sanibel better than ever! As we rebuild Sweet Melissa’s Cafe we are available for holiday catering and private chef events or even if you need a fish stew! Please contact Melissa directly at [email protected]"

Timbers

Timbers & Sanibel Grill is coming along nicely, once we get power and water we'll be one more step closer to opening! We will be back strong as ever!!

West Wind Island Resort

At West Wind Island Resort, we were very pleased with what we reviewed, although a small portion of our roof was sacrificed to 150-mile-per-hour winds. We anticipate a fully recovery of both our flagship resorts — ‘Tween Waters and West Wind Island Resort of Sanibel — much quicker than we first imagined. The public-private sector cooperation in resorting electricity, water, internet, safety and other infrastructure measures is making this remarkable comeback possible. While we continue to work on the restoration of West Wind Island Resort (which will take quite some time), Beachview Cottages and Castaways Cottages experienced significant damage and destruction, particularly cottages closer to the beach, making their recovery a much longer journey. While we all miss and mourn the loss of the cottages at Beachview and Castaways, rest assured that we’re ready and committed to rebuilding all of our four beach properties into a renewed, reimagined, reenergized form of themselves. Please note: Our reservations team is actively reaching out to all guests with upcoming reservations to issue refunds and offer date changes where possible. Please avoid contacting your credit card provider, as this can cause confusion or frustration on your part, or delay your refund.

Sanibel Businesses Future Unknown

Gulf Breeze Cottages

Spoondrift Island Bowls

Sanibel Businesses Not Planning on Reopening

Bleu Rendezvous French Bistro

"The Hurricane is over but sadly our lease has been terminated by our landlord and we have been given notice to vacate our beloved bistro on Sanibel Island! Please stay tuned for our next act! We believe that just like a church isn’t about the building it’s all about the people inside! Prayers to you and for new beginnings."

George & Wendy's Seafood Grille

"We were leasing the building and it unfortunately sustained extensive damage from Ian and is a total loss requiring a total remodel to get it to the point anyone could possibly operate at that location. Lacy and Laura were able to salvage some of their artwork so feel free to reach out if still interested. Thank you all for the support over the past 12 years. We will keep you all posted if we decide to return in the area."

Lily & Co Jewelry Store

It is with great sadness that [we] let you know that the physical business of Lily & Co will no longer be a part of Sanibel. [We] have decided to sell this beautiful historic “gem”. Lily & Co will have an online presence especially through the end of the year.

Rosie's Cafe & Grill

Sanibel Fresh

Unfortunately we will not be re-opening Sanibel Fresh. We want to thank everyone for your amazing support over the last several years and it has truly been a privilege to serve this community. While no one knows the future for sure, at this time there are no plans or efforts to continue our journey. 

Traditions on the Beach

Captiva

Captiva Businesses Open

The Island Store

Now open with limited hours. The Island Store on Captiva, operated by the Johnson family, received less damage from the storm than the Sanibel store. The floors were damaged and a new office needed to be set up.

Tween Waters Island Resort

‘Tween Waters survived the power of Hurricane Ian with grit, muscle and determination befitting more than 90 years of island hospitality. Our outstanding construction — and the protections we took prior to landfall — resulted in no significant damage to our 137 accommodations and cottages, our restaurants and our other facilities and amenities. Construction on our exciting new restaurant was not damaged. And even our Marina remains intact. I’m absolutely thrilled to report that day has arrived — today, November 16 — as ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa opens as Captiva’s first resort to welcome overnight stays to individuals with approved access to the islands. We know you’ll have many questions, please click here for more information. Plus, we’re offering a special room rate starting at $99 per night now through December 31, 2022 to all the linemen, utility workers and emergency first-responders that helped make this day of reopening possible, as our way of saying thank you for your efforts. Enjoy our resort and its many great amenities short-term or long-term — for temporary housing, a needed break or even a little vacation with family! This is a call-only to book offer at 239.476.0311. Our rooms have been inspected, are clean, and safe, complete with electricity, air conditioning, water and internet service. Our amenities currently include our beautiful family pool, fitness center, tennis and pickle ball. Plus on Monday, November 21, 2022, our top-rated TripAdvisor restaurant, Old Captiva House, will open to those on island for breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with our always-fun Oasis Pool Bar for cool beverages. Finally, attention boaters: our Marina is now open and welcoming overnight dockage. You do not have to have a hurricane pass to stay. To request a boat slip, please call 239.671.0499 or complete our online form.

Old Captiva House

Old Captiva House — on the site of the first schoolhouse on Captiva, built in 1908 — still stands tall, proud, historic, with “not a scratch” on the interiors to show for the storm. On Monday, November 21, 2022, our top-rated TripAdvisor restaurant, Old Captiva House, opened to those on island for breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with our always-fun Oasis Pool Bar for cool beverages. Finally, thank you to all who’ve supported our GoFundMe account to assist our awesome team members whose employment was affected by the hurricane. To date, we’ve blown past two goals and are closing in on our $100,000 challenge. Your assistance and generosity are greatly appreciated as all donations go to helping displaced staff and if you’re interested in helping, just visit here.

Captiva Businesses With Reopening Dates

Captiva Businesses Planning to Reopening

Bubble Room

We are working tirelessly on getting the 3 Bubble Room properties cleaned out and cannot wait until we are able to have you all back to dine with us. We have finished our very basic but functional web store. Please visit https://shop.bubbleroomrestaurant.com to shop for Bubble Books, Bubble Lights and Bubble Room Playing Cards!

The Island Store

Key Lime Bistro

We will get this done! [Also] Working on RC Otters, Sunshine Seafood Cafe & Wine Bar, Latte Da and Cantina Captiva. The Cantina is in the best shape of all. We’ll be back prettier than ever!

The Mucky Duck

We had ServiceMaster come out today and check the restaurant inside for moisture. They found none and said we should be in good shape! To be on the safe side, they will come back a bit later and do another type of check just to make sure we will be all set to open up once we have power, water, and septic operational. We still don’t have power or internet, so despite how great things look on the inside, we can’t open up quite yet and the beach cam is not functional. We’ve had many ask about purchasing merchandise, just to be supportive, and we really appreciate this, but we are not in a position to offer this as we do not have an online store and phones are not operational yet. That will come; we just don’t know when.

Captiva Businesses Not Planning on Reopening

Doc Ford's Captiva

It’s with a heavy heart that we announce our Captiva Island location will close indefinitely as South Seas Island Resort works to rebuild their property. We want to thank all our loyal customers for many years of fun and enjoyment at Doc Ford’s Captiva, our staff for continuously being the most professional in the business, and to South Seas Island Resort for being a great partner. We’re working feverishly to reopen our Sanibel Island and Ft. Myers Beach locations that were damaged by Hurricane Ian, and look forward to updating you as we progress!