SanCap Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cuttings continue to celebrate and broadcast the islands’ emergence from the destruction Hurricane Ian wreaked in 2022. Recently, it cheered the reopening of the iconic Her Sports Closet on March 7 in the Periwinkle Place Shops on Sanibel and the opening day for the Sanibel Shell Show on March 8 at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers.

“The continued recovery of the islands’ retail segment has such a huge impact on our rebuild, and the return of landmark annual events puts the icing on the cake,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said. “Needless to say, these were two very joyful ribbon-cuttings. Watch for more momentous reopenings to come into April.”

Her Sports Closet owner Renae Durand opened her clothing boutique in 1983, evolving the previous golf-wear shop to more traditional lines.

“In 1993, when the Lilly Pulitzer line reappeared, I was one of the first accounts,” she said. “My sales rep was close to Lilly, so I had the opportunity to meet and visit with her several times. She was delightful, kind, charming and fun, and put you immediately at ease.”

Shoulder-high flood waters meant the loss of nearly everything in Durand’s shop and an ensuing physical teardown to bare studs. She credits landlord Ben Dahlmann, associate Cassidy Burns, and the chamber for getting her to this point.

SANCAP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE A SanCap Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting was held on March 7 for Her Sport Closet on Sanibel.

“Of course, no one predicted the amount of devastation to our island,” she said. “It’s been such a long road, I can’t really believe we’re able to reopen. I’m very excited to see the familiar faces of our fabulous customers.”

An 86-year tradition on Sanibel, the Sanibel Shell Show presented by the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club previously has been part of the Sanibel Shell Festival & Show at The Community House on Sanibel, in partnership with the Shellcrafters. This year, because the facility was unable to guarantee its reopening in time for the event, the club moved off-island for a two-day affair on March 8-9.

The event drew shell enthusiasts from all over the country and beyond with more than 300 artistic and scientific entries, including sailors’ valentines, shell floral arrangements, shell tables and other creations, plus educational displays from around the world. Dr. Jose Leal, from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, and other conchology and malacology experts were on hand.

“All proceeds generated from the Sanibel Shell Show are poured right back into the community via the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club’s grants program,” Publicity Chair Linda Friedrich said, noting that donations support local conservation and water-quality projects.

To date, the club has awarded more than $400,000 to grant recipients.

SANCAP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE A SanCap Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting took place on March 8 for the Sanibel Shell Show in Fort Myers.

This year, the show also collected nonperishable food items for F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva

Her Sports Closet is at 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.