Chamber cuts ribbon at two local businesses
As high season approaches in Southwest Florida, SanCap Chamber ribbon-cuttings are reflecting a robust return to a strong economy. Dec. 12 saw the reopening of a longtime Captiva dining fixture, the Sunshine Seafood Cafe and Wine Bar, and opening of a new Clive Daniel Home showroom in Fort Myers.
Sandy Stilwell Youngquist has been synonymous with Captiva dining for more than 20 years, and she was determined not to let Hurricane Ian’s ruthless damage to her restaurants and inn change all that. The Sunshine Seafood Cafe was her second island restaurant, purchased in 2004. Her first, the Keylime Bistro, is set to reopen by Christmas. The Cantina Captiva will also come back this month, and RC Otter’s Island Eats opened in June.
Despite total flooding and loss of all furniture and equipment, Sunshine Seafood returns with much the same feel, a new design and some changes in color schemes. The biggest difference happens in the kitchen, where locally loved chef Ryan Kida has taken the helm and reinvented the menu with some legendary dishes from his former Yabo restaurant in Fort Myers, along with new creations.
“The island restaurants have worked together very well in helping one another out and supporting one another,” Youngquist, who was able to support the Captiva Island Fire Control District and state law enforcement with the use of her vehicles that survived the storm, said.
She loaned them her S-CAR-Go snail Jeep and another to use until they airlifted or ferried over vehicles.
“Sandy is a pillar in the island business community and a shining example of how working hard and together gets results,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said. “We welcome back the lively vibe her restaurants have come to define as the Captiva dining scene.”
Clive Daniel Home opened in Naples in 2011. Its Fort Myers showroom debuted in October as the design firm’s fourth location, including Boca Raton and Sarasota. It offers the same comprehensive selection of furniture, lighting, rugs, window treatments and accessories, along with the services of 15 professional interior designers.
“Fort Myers has been home since 1978,” Clive Daniel Home Chief Executive Officer Daniel Lubner said. “So many of our core memories were created on Sanibel and Captiva. After the storm, it felt like too much of a burden to have our clients drive all the way to Naples. We wanted to create a hometown location to match our commitment to see the islands come back stronger.”
“Daniel and his father, Clive, who serves as chairman, have a strong affinity for the islands that shows clearly in their generous support of the chamber and other island businesses,” Lai said. “The fact their corporate headquarters and warehouse are in Fort Myers demonstrates their commitment to the community, and we thank them for helping to bring it back to full bloom.”
The Sunshine Seafood Cafe and Wine Bar is at 11508 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva.
The Clive Daniel Home is at 8650 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers.