A significant step in the recovery of Fort Myers Beach is underway as Times Square is poised to welcome its first new building since the devastation of Hurricane Ian. The project, spearheaded by a local business owner, marks a tangible sign of progress and resilience for the community.
The site of the former Kilwins Ice Cream, which was destroyed in the storm, is set to be revitalized by Carlos Chavez, owner of the adjacent Bella Mozzarella. His proposal, the first to be approved by the local planning agency for Times Square in three years, features a new three-story, mixed-use building.
The ground floor will house a mobile ice cream shop named “Meli’s Ice Cream,” a tribute to Chavez’s daughter. The two floors above are designed to be a residence for the Chavez family, deeply rooting them in the area’s comeback.
While Chavez is ready to begin construction, the project requires final approval from the town council, with two more public hearings scheduled. If it clears these final hurdles, construction could begin next summer, with a target grand opening in early 2027.
Fellow business owners see this development as a crucial turning point. Bill Wagner, co-owner of The Buffalo Grill located nearby, acknowledged the immense costs and restrictions involved in rebuilding.
“The fact that we’re seeing some progress in Times Square is amazing,” Wagner said. “To see that a new structure is going to be going up… hopefully, that’s a catalyst for other things. We’re very, very happy.”
This project represents more than just a new building; it’s a beacon of hope and a potential catalyst for the broader revitalization of one of Fort Myers Beach’s most iconic locations.
