Author: LeAneSUAREZGroup

The Bubble Room on Captiva is working tirelessly to reopen its doors, with contractors and staff putting in long hours to restore the beloved restaurant. On April 9, the team moved 150 chairs and all of the booths back into place, and they couldn’t be more excited. “We can’t wait to show it to our guests — it looks amazing!” officials shared. “We’re so close to reopening, we can already taste the Bubble Bread!”

Although the reopening timeline has shifted toward later this month due to ongoing restoration efforts, the Bubble Room is thankful for the patience and understanding of its community. “We’ve navigated through multiple hurricanes in the past few years, and we appreciate your continued support,” they said.

In the meantime, The Bubble Room Emporium is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering quirky and unique gifts at 15000 Captiva Drive. For a taste of the iconic restaurant’s offerings, Boop’s by The Bubble Room is serving up their famous cakes and more from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at 15001 Captiva Drive.

“We’re incredibly grateful for your support through Boop’s, the Bubble Room Emporium, our online shop, and all the uplifting messages to our staff,” officials expressed.

For more updates and information, visit https://www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com/.

The Blue Giraffe Island Bar & Grill, a trailblazer in the food truck scene on Sanibel following Hurricane Ian in 2022, marked a significant milestone with the grand reopening of its brick-and-mortar location. The SanCap Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed the restaurant back to Sanibel with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 2, 863 days after it first opened its food truck at the Periwinkle Place Shops.

“When Hurricane Ian hit, it was about community, resilience, and providing a sense of normalcy during a time of recovery,” said Michael Puente, who purchased the Blue Giraffe in June 2023. “For me, a restaurant is more than just a business; it’s a place to share love, culture, and connection. This restaurant is my home, and my team is my family.”

The road to recovery for Puente was not easy. With the restaurant at a 100% loss, Puente rebuilt from the ground up — installing a new blue epoxy floor, expanding into an adjacent storefront, and modernizing the restaurant’s appearance. The space features a hand-painted giraffe mural by local artist Alex Bustamante, an open floor plan, and TVs throughout the dining area. Artifacts from previous Blue Giraffe locations add historical touches, connecting the new space to its roots.

“I saw Hurricane Ian not as an end but as an opportunity to create something even stronger,” Puente reflected. “I had a blank canvas, and I was ready to build something new for our community.”

The menu blends beloved classics with new twists, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, special events, catering, and plans for late-night dining.

“Back when we were all reeling after Ian, Blue Giraffe was already serving islanders and visitors, shining a ray of hope for the future,” said John Lai, President and CEO of the SanCap Chamber. “Now, it has returned with a fresh, exciting product that honors the legacy of its past locations. We congratulate Michael and his team for their foresight and determination to make such a strong comeback.”

The Blue Giraffe Island Bar & Grill is located at 2075 Periwinkle Way, Suite 14, Sanibel.

On May 15 at 3 p.m., the new documentary “On Sanibel: The Hurricane Diaries” will make its debut at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in Fort Myers, as part of the Fort Myers Film Festival. This compelling film, directed and produced by Sanibel resident Laura DeBruce, tells the inspiring story of the island’s resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

The documentary features raw, first-hand footage from islanders who stayed behind during the storm, which severed the Sanibel Causeway and left widespread devastation. The film goes beyond the storm itself to focus on the strength, creativity, and love that helped the community rebuild in the wake of disaster.

“This film is not just about Hurricane Ian,” said DeBruce. “It’s about the incredible strength, ingenuity, and love that emerged afterward. Sanibel’s people didn’t just rebuild buildings — they rebuilt hope.”

Through personal interviews and never-before-seen footage, the documentary highlights the stories of residents, small business owners, and community leaders who rose to the occasion.

DeBruce began documenting the recovery efforts shortly after the storm, arriving by boat and bicycle with her husband, Jeff Blackman. Despite suffering a broken wrist on her first day — caused by an alligator sighting — she continued filming what she saw. With the help of her friend Diana Taylor and award-winning videographer Chad Hatcher, DeBruce brought the story to life.

“It was difficult seeing this beautiful island destroyed repeatedly,” DeBruce recalled. “But in every shot, I saw people who had lost everything, yet still displayed such compassion and strength. That, to me, is the heart of this story.”

The film’s score, composed by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning flutist Kat Epple, complements the film’s powerful themes of paradise, peril, courage, loss, and unity.

“My goal was to craft music that resonates with the visuals and the emotional core of the story,” Epple said. “The score reflects the emotional journey — from the beauty of paradise to the destruction, and ultimately, the resilience and unity of the community.”

Tickets for the premiere are $10 for general admission, with all-day and all-access passes also available. For tickets and additional information, visit fortmyersfilmfestival.com.

To watch the film’s trailer, visit https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=983090534031724.

The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St., Fort Myers.

In a historic transaction, three adjacent waterfront estates in Naples’ exclusive Port Royal neighborhood have sold for a combined $225 million, marking one of the most significant real estate deals in Southwest Florida history.

The properties—2170, 2200, and 2340 Gordon Drive—span approximately 15 acres and boast over 800 feet of direct Gulf frontage, offering an unprecedented stretch of coastal luxury. The deal was brokered by Michael McCumber of The McCumber Group at Gulf Coast International Properties.

“Port Royal is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with the $100 million reconstruction of its private beach club driving a new era of luxury living,” said McCumber. “By closing this record-breaking deal, we’ve once again raised the bar.”

Kevin Coleman, a local attorney with Coleman Yovanovich Koester, acted as trustee on behalf of the undisclosed buyer, while Mark Price of Roetzel & Andress represented the seller in the legal proceedings.

Property records show the largest of the three estates, 2200 Gordon Drive, features an 8,846-square-foot residence with 11 bedrooms and 16 baths, and is owned by Westbury Properties Inc. The other two parcels, 2170 and 2340 Gordon Drive, are owned by separate Bermuda-based companies connected to the DeGroote family. The late Michael DeGroote Sr., a Canadian billionaire and philanthropist, passed away in 2022.

• 2340 Gordon Drive, the southernmost parcel, includes a 6,000-square-foot, five-bedroom, three-bath home built in 1938 on 3.41 acres.

• 2170 Gordon Drive, the northernmost parcel, is a 3.07-acre lot with no existing residence, offering a rare blank slate for future development.

This landmark sale reinforces Port Royal’s status as one of the most coveted ultra-luxury enclaves in the United States, attracting discerning buyers from around the world.

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Billionaire entrepreneur David Hoffmann and his wife, Jerri, have made headlines with the purchase of a spectacular bayfront estate in Naples’ prestigious Port Royal neighborhood. The couple acquired the 17,202-square-foot residence at 575 Admiralty Parade W. for $85 million, setting a new record for the highest-priced single-family home sale in Collier County history.

The transaction, handled by Chris Resop of The Agency and Timothy Savage, Principal at Gulf Coast International Properties, also marks the most expensive sale ever recorded for a non-beachfront property in the county, according to MLS data.

The estate spans over 2¼ lots and boasts 250 feet of Naples Bay frontage, offering sweeping water views and top-tier privacy. With eight bedrooms and ten and a half bathrooms, the home offers luxury on a grand scale—making it an ideal new primary residence for the Hoffmanns.

“This is an extraordinary property that sets a new benchmark for single-family home sales in Port Royal,” said Savage, emphasizing the property’s rare combination of location, scale, and prestige.

David Hoffmann, founder of the Naples-based Hoffmann Family of Companies, first appeared on the Forbes World’s Billionaire List in 2022 and was ranked 1,763rd in 2024 with a reported net worth of $2 billion.

The announcement came alongside news of three additional high-profile sales in the neighborhood—2170, 2200, and 2340 Gordon Drive—which collectively sold for $225 million, underscoring the ongoing strength of Naples’ luxury waterfront real estate market.

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With the school year wrapping up on June 4, many families are beginning to plan for summer—and FISH of Sanibel-Captiva is stepping in to help. Through its Youth Summer Scholarship Program, FISH is offering financial assistance to families in need, making summer camp more accessible and affordable.

“Summer should be a time for kids to play, learn and just be kids,” said Nitza Lopez, FISH’s Social Services Director. “But for working parents, especially those living paycheck to paycheck, it can be a stressful time. We’re here to help bridge that gap with scholarships that ease the financial burden and ensure children have a safe, enriching place to spend their days.”

Scholarships are available to families with a connection to Sanibel or Captiva through either residency or employment. Each application is reviewed individually, with support awarded based on household income, expenses, and the cost of camp. The goal is to provide partial financial aid where it’s needed most.

Local camp options include on-island favorites such as the Sanibel Recreation Center, Sanibel Sea School, and the Children’s Education Center of the Islands. FISH also supports participation in off-island programs. In partnership with Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, FISH will again host its free Camp Noah, a unique offering designed to support children’s emotional and social development.

To learn more or apply for assistance, contact Nitza Lopez at 239-472-4775 or email nitza@fishofsancap.org.

Sea turtle nesting season is officially underway on Sanibel Island.

On April 25, staff and volunteers from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) discovered the first loggerhead sea turtle nest of the 2025 season along the island’s east end. The nest has been carefully staked off and will be closely monitored during daily sunrise surveys throughout its incubation period.

This nest is the first of what SCCF expects to be hundreds more laid along the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva over the coming months. Loggerhead turtles, a threatened species, return to our shores each year to nest—making community support and awareness vital to their survival.

To help protect nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings, SCCF encourages beachgoers and residents to follow these important guidelines:

• Fill in holes and flatten sandcastles before leaving the beach. Obstacles like these can trap or injure turtles.

• Turn off or shield lights visible from the beach after 9 p.m. Artificial lighting disorients hatchlings and nesting females.

• Avoid using flashlights or phone lights on the beach at night.

• Remove all beach furniture, equipment, and trash at the end of the day to prevent obstructions or entanglement.

• Keep your distance from marked nests and never disturb nesting sea turtles.

If you see lighting violations, hazards on the beach, stranded turtles, or have questions about nests, please contact the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-SAVE-ONE (239-728-3663).

Every step we take helps ensure a safe return for these incredible marine animals—season after season.

As the Sanibel Causeway Islands reopen to the public for the first time since Hurricane Ian, a critical conservation effort is quietly underway. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is actively working to protect the nesting grounds of least terns — a state-threatened shorebird species known for forming colonies on open sandy stretches.

SCCF staff recently observed least terns returning to the causeway and preparing to nest, with telltale signs such as nest scrapes already visible. This marks the third consecutive year of nesting activity on the islands, a remarkable comeback after more than 30 years of absence. In a promising sign, the birds successfully fledged chicks last season.

Historically, the Causeway Islands offered ideal habitat for both least terns and black skimmers after the construction of the causeway in the 1960s. However, increasing vehicle traffic and unpredictable summer storms led to high nest failure rates. Despite efforts to redirect nesting to safer areas, many birds continued to return to the causeway, only to face the same risks.

“Despite the best efforts of our local conservation organizations to protect them and lure them to other nesting sites away from the causeway, the birds continued to fall victim to traffic and the weather,” explained SCCF shorebird biologist Audrey Albrecht. “They turned to other nearby beaches and rooftops but struggled to find suitable nesting habitat.”

Least terns have a brief nesting season, typically arriving in Southwest Florida in early April and departing for their wintering grounds by August. During this window, SCCF is coordinating closely with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Lee County to ensure protective measures are in place.

As the islands reopen, visitors are urged to respect posted nesting areas and stay alert to wildlife conservation signage. These small birds are making a big comeback—and with continued community support, their success story can grow for years to come.

Mark your calendars — FISH of Sanibel-Captiva’s much-anticipated JOG N JAM is back for 2025, bringing islanders and visitors together for two exciting events that celebrate community, fitness, music, and giving back.

The annual fundraiser will take place on two dates:

Race Day: Saturday, November 1 at The Community House on Sanibel
Concert Night: Saturday, December 6 at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva

Whether you’re a runner, walker, music lover, or community supporter — there’s something for everyone.

JOG: 10K, 5K & Kids Fun Run
Start November strong by lacing up for the scenic 10K, 5K, or Kids Fun Run. Open to all ages and fitness levels, this island race promotes connection and fun, while supporting a great cause.

• Each registered runner receives a commemorative T-shirt, finisher medal, and a chance to win a unique island-themed award.

• The Kids Fun Run is free (registration required) and includes a finisher’s ribbon and treat.

• Early registration discounts are available now.

JAM: Beach Concert & Fireworks
The celebration continues in December with a sunset beach concert featuring the high-energy Ben Allen Band and a fireworks finale. Bring your friends, grab a drink or bite to eat, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

• Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

• Shuttle service makes access easy and convenient.

• Tickets are on sale now — early purchase is recommended.

Why It Matters
More than just a race or concert, JOG N JAM is one of FISH’s two major annual fundraisers. All proceeds benefit FISH’s essential programs:

• Food resources

• Island-based education

• Social & senior services

• Helping hands (financial aid & disaster recovery)

“We’re expecting an incredible turnout this year,” said FISH Executive Director Maria Espinoza. “With the Ben Allen Band and our supportive community, this will be a powerful celebration of island spirit.”

How You Can Help
Sponsorships are available and crucial to the event’s success. “They help fund the services that islanders rely on every day,” said JOG N JAM Chair and FISH Board Member Leah Winkler. “It’s also a great opportunity for local businesses to show their support.”

Ready to Register or Rock Out?

• Register for the race → Sign Up Here

• Buy concert tickets → Get Tickets

• Interested in sponsoring? → Email events@fishofsancap.org

• Learn more about FISH → Visit Website

This year’s JOG N JAM promises to be bigger, bolder, and more impactful than ever. Join us in celebrating the heart of the islands — and making a difference, one step and song at a time.

After over two years of closure due to Hurricane Ian, Causeway Islands Park has officially reopened to the public as of May 1, 2025, marking a major milestone in the region’s recovery.

The City of Sanibel recently shared this update from Lee County Government, confirming that Phase One of the park’s redevelopment is now complete. This is the first time since September 2022 that residents and visitors can once again enjoy the scenic shorelines along the Sanibel Causeway.

A Resilient Reopening

The park had served as a crucial staging area during Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)‘s reconstruction of the Sanibel Causeway, a project focused on reinforcing the area’s storm resiliency after the severe damage from Hurricane Ian.

With the causeway work now finished, Lee County Parks & Recreation has resumed its long-term vision to improve the park in phases. Phase One includes:

• Free on-site parking

• Portable restrooms

• Trash and recycling bins

• Park ranger assistance and shoreline access

Park hours are from dawn to dusk, with rangers on-site to guide guests and ensure rules are followed. Visitors may also notice volunteers educating the public on nesting shorebirds, with clearly marked areas to protect the fragile ecosystem.

What’s Next: Phase Two Improvements

Phase Two is now in the design stage, backed by a $1.31 million contract approved in October 2024. This next phase focuses on long-term enhancements that include:

• Structured parking on Islands A and B

• Permanent restroom facilities

• ADA-accessible beach access

• Outdoor showers

• Irrigation and drainage systems

• Landscaping and shaded areas

Design work is expected to conclude by summer 2025, with construction anticipated to begin later in the year and wrap up by 2026, weather permitting.

Funding and Project Tracking

The project is funded through a combination of resources:

• FEMA’s Public Assistance Program

• State appropriations

• Tourist Development Taxes from short-term lodging

For ongoing updates on the project’s progress, visitors can use the Lee County Parks Project Information Tool at www.leegov.com/parks.