Category: Island Update

Breeze Airways, a low-cost carrier founded by JetBlue co-founder David Neeleman, is expanding its service in Florida with nine new seasonal winter and spring routes from Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers. The routes will begin in November and include Akron-Canton, Ohio (CAK); New Orleans (MSY); Norfolk, Virginia (ORF); Richmond, Virginia (RIC); and Syracuse, New York (SYR).

Breeze also recently announced new nonstop service from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to Providence, Rhode Island, and from Tampa International Airport to Hartford, Connecticut, Providence, Rhode Island, and Portland, Maine. With these new routes, Breeze now offers 58 nonstop routes in and out of Florida.

The new routes are part of Breeze’s ongoing expansion across the United States. The airline has been rapidly growing since its launch in 2021, and it now serves more than 120 nonstop routes. Breeze is known for its focus on customer service and its commitment to offering affordable fares.

The new routes from Fort Myers will provide travelers with more convenient and affordable options to reach popular destinations in the Northeast. The routes to New Orleans and Norfolk will be especially popular with travelers who want to avoid long layovers on other airlines.

The new routes from Sarasota-Bradenton and Tampa will also be a welcome addition for travelers in those areas. The routes to Providence will provide direct connections to the capital of Rhode Island, while the routes to Hartford and Portland will offer direct connections to major cities in Connecticut and Maine.

Breeze’s expansion in Florida is a positive development for the state’s tourism industry. The new routes will make it easier and more affordable for people to visit Florida from all over the country. This is likely to boost tourism in the state and help to create jobs.

Overall, Breeze’s expansion in Florida is a good thing for the state’s economy and its residents. The new routes will provide more travel options and make it easier for people to get to where they want to go.

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Sweet Melissa’s Cafe: A New Chapter

Sweet Melissa’s Cafe, a beloved restaurant on Sanibel Island, is rebuilding after being damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Chef Melissa Donahue recently shared a rendering of the new building, which will be larger and more modern than the original.

The new Sweet Melissa’s will have a spacious dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as an outdoor patio with views of the Gulf of Mexico. The menu will feature the same popular dishes that made the original restaurant a success, as well as some new additions.

Donahue is excited to share the new Sweet Melissa’s with her customers. “We’re really looking forward to creating a new and even better dining experience for our guests,” she said. “We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome everyone back.”

The new Sweet Melissa’s is expected to open in early 2023. In the meantime, Donahue and her team are working hard to rebuild the restaurant and bring it back to its former glory.

Here is the post from their Instagram account

The transition! Ready for another full house!Sweet Melissa’s Cafe Thursdays and Fridays! Make your reservations today! (239)472-1581

Here are some additional details about the new Sweet Melissa’s:

• The new building will be located at the same address as the original restaurant, 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island, FL 33957.
• The new restaurant will have seating for 120 guests, plus an additional 40 seats on the patio.
• The menu will feature a variety of American cuisine, with a focus on fresh seafood and locally-sourced ingredients.
• The new Sweet Melissa’s is expected to be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reported that the islands are on track for a record-breaking nesting season, with more than 855 nests on Sanibel and Captiva as of June 28, 2023. This is up from 775 nests in 2022 and 720 nests in 2021. The SCCF is asking the community to help replenish its supply of towels, which help cover buckets that hold and protect hatchlings. The earliest recorded sea turtle nest on the islands’ beaches was laid by a loggerhead on April 15, 2020. Last year, the season’s first nest was laid on April 27 by a loggerhead. The SCCF’s sea turtle team surveys Sanibel and Captiva looking for new nests, monitoring existing ones, and collecting inventory data on hatched ones.

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Shalimar Cottages & Motel, a beachfront motel on Sanibel Island, Florida, was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. The motel’s owner, Sean Niesel, has decided to rebuild the motel on the same site. The new motel will have a different look and layout, but it will still have 33 rooms. Niesel hopes to break ground on the new motel in early 2024 and have it completed in time for the 2025-2026 tourist season.

Niesel grew up vacationing at the motel, which was owned by his grandparents. He said he wants to rebuild the motel because he believes it is a beautiful property and he wants it to stay in the family for generations.

The rebuilding of Shalimar Cottages & Motel is one of several signs of recovery for Sanibel Island, which was also damaged by Hurricane Ian. Roughly 35 businesses have reopened on Sanibel and Captiva since the storm, and there are plans to rebuild several other hotels and businesses that were destroyed.

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Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida in September 2022, causing widespread damage to homes and businesses. The local real estate market took a major hit in the months after the storm, but it has since rebounded. In fact, some are now saying that the period after the storm has been the best time to invest in real estate in Southwest Florida.

Prior to the hurricane, Cape Coral was recognized as the hottest housing market in the U.S. in May 2022, with a year-over-year gain of 36.9% in median prices. However, the storm led to a significant drop in new listings and sales.

Now, nine months after the hurricane, the real estate market is showing signs of recovery. According to a report from Redfin, listings of homes for sale have recovered, and sales have started to bounce back. In the two months following the hurricane, there were 900 fewer new listings than projected. However, in the six months after that, there were 1,314 more new listings than projected, offsetting the initial shortfall.

Despite the initial hit to the real estate market, the period following the storm has been seen as a good time to invest in real estate in the area. Developers have been attracted to the opportunities presented by the hard-hit coastal areas, and research has shown that real estate in hurricane-affected regions has historically appreciated above the national average following a storm.

The recovery of home sales in Cape Coral suggests that many home buyers continue to prioritize waterfront views, relatively affordable home prices, and lower taxes over climate concerns.

There are a few reasons for this. First, the storm caused a significant decrease in the number of homes for sale in the area. This has created a seller’s market, with bidding wars becoming common. Second, the storm also caused a decrease in property values. This means that investors can now buy homes at a significant discount.

Florida has issued 80,000 residential building permits so far this year, second only to Texas. New construction homes in Florida are built under the most recent building codes, offering better resistance against natural disasters and climate change.

Of course, there are also some risks associated with investing in real estate in a post-hurricane area. For example, there is always the possibility that another storm could hit the area in the future. However, proponents of investing in Southwest Florida argue that the potential rewards outweigh the risks. They point out that the area has a strong economy and a growing population, both of which are factors that should support continued growth in the real estate market.

Overall, the real estate market in Southwest Florida is recovering well after Hurricane Ian. The number of homes for sale is increasing, and sales are beginning to bounce back. Investors who are willing to take on some risk may find that the area offers attractive opportunities.

Here are some additional details from the article:

• Cape Coral, Florida was one of the hardest hit areas by Hurricane Ian. The city’s median home price fell by 17% in the months after the storm.
• However, the real estate market in Cape Coral has since rebounded. In May 2023, the city’s median home price was up 10% from a year earlier.
• The recovery in Southwest Florida’s real estate market is being driven by a number of factors, including the area’s strong economy and growing population.
• The region is also attracting a number of investors who are looking for bargains in the wake of the hurricane.
• Some experts believe that the real estate market in Southwest Florida could continue to grow in the years to come.

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For those living in alligator territory, experts at Gator World Parks suggest a few tips for keeping safe around these dangerous creatures.

• Do not approach a gator. Stay at least 30 feet back and back away even further if they begin to hiss at or move towards you. Do not assume they can’t catch you if you run: American alligators can move up to 30 mph on land in short bursts.
• Know when and where gators like to hang out. They are most active between dusk and dawn and prefer sunbathing along water banks during the day. Avoid swimming or hanging around these locations and at these times.
• Do not fish near alligators and move away from a fishing spot if one approaches. Do not ever feed gators. Dispose of leftover scraps from fish, bait and food in proper containers and do not throw them back into the water or leave them near the water’s edge.
• Do not allow pets or children to swim in, drink from or approach bodies of water known to have alligators present. If you live in an area with a lot of gator activity, take precautions such as monitoring pets when they are outside or building fences at least four and a half feet tall.
• Avoid locations near bodies of water that may be nests. Female alligators will become abnormally aggressive to protect them. Keep an eye out for collections of twigs, grass and disturbed soil and steer clear if you see them.

In a move that brings hope to the communities devastated by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022, the state of Florida has earmarked over $4 billion for hurricane recovery and relief in its new budget. This allocation is part of the record $116.5 billion budget, which is set to provide much-needed support to Southwest Florida and other hard-hit areas.

The budget includes a substantial $75.2 million for the repair of bridges in Lee County and an additional $17.6 million for Lee County schools. Furthermore, it funds $350 million in grant recovery programs and provides $1.735 billion in new hurricane money. This funding will be used for emergency preparedness, beach renourishment projects, and grants to single-family property owners to improve their home’s storm resilience.

The financial and infrastructure assistance will be a boon to families, businesses, and governments who have been grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian’s landfall. The Category 5 hurricane wreaked havoc, causing nearly $113 billion in damage and becoming the nation’s third costliest storm on record and the most expensive in Florida’s history.

With the new funding and the funding authorized during special legislative sessions, the total state hurricane spending now exceeds $5.4 billion. This substantial allocation will go a long way in building resilience to withstand future storms and supporting the communities most impacted by Hurricane Ian.

The budget also allocates $75.2 million for the repair of four hurricane-damaged bridges in Lee County, including a significant $51.7 million for the Sanibel Causeway. The Lee County School District is set to receive $17.6 million for repairs and rebuilding projects.

The $4 billion in hurricane spending also establishes the Hurricane Ian and Nicole grant recovery program. This program, with $350 million available, will assist local governments, special districts, and school boards. The funding aims to alleviate revenue losses and operating deficits, repair and replace roads, sewer and water infrastructure, renourish beaches, and complete debris removal.

This news brings a ray of hope to those affected by the hurricanes. As we continue to rebuild and recover, we are reminded of the strength and resilience of our communities.

Florida Realtors released a report in May showing that the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes was $419,900.

The report also showed that median sales prices varied by metropolitan statistical area (MSA). The highest median sales price was in the Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island MSA, at $810,000. The lowest median sales price was in the Jacksonville MSA, at $393,015.

Here were the median sales prices by metropolitan statistical area:

1. Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island: $810,000
2. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach: $610,000
3. North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton: $513,000
4. Cape Coral-Fort Myers: $445,000
5. Crestview-Fort Walton Beach- Destin: $441,500
6. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford: $435,000
7. Port St. Lucie: $415,000
8. Sebastian-Vero Beach: $412,000
9. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater: $406,730
10. Jacksonville: $393,015

TravisMathew, a popular athletic fashion brand with a Southern California influence, is expanding its retail presence in the region by opening two new stores. One of these stores marks the brand’s debut in the Fort Myers-Naples market.

The Fort Myers TravisMathew store has already opened its doors in early July at the Miromar Outlets in Estero, as stated in a press release.

Additionally, the brand’s website mentions that a second store is set to open in The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota. Although the opening date is not listed, the website does feature job postings for supervisor, part-time client associate, and assistant store manager positions. This store will be the first TravisMathew location in the Sarasota-Bradenton market. Other TravisMathew stores in Florida can be found in Daytona Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton, and Tampa.

Established in 2007 with a primary focus on the golfing community, TravisMathew draws inspiration from the culture and lifestyle of Southern California, particularly the surf, sand, and sun. Over time, the brand has expanded its offerings to include easy-to-wear lifestyle looks suitable for both the golf course and everyday wear. Their product lineup includes lightweight and functional sportswear, footwear, and accessories for men, women, and children.

TravisMathew boasts an impressive lineup of pro sports and entertainment ambassadors, featuring notable figures such as NFL quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Jimmy Garoppolo, professional golfers Sam Burns and Jon Rahm, and actor Chris Pratt.

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