Chamber ribbon-cuttings celebrate reopening of Huxters, CROW
Sanibel continues to make headway toward recovery with the recent partial reopenings of a landmark deli and top island attraction, both historic fixtures. The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce staged a ribbon-cutting on March 14 at Huxters Market & Deli and another on March 16 at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife.
“We welcome the optimism and breakthrough victory of these two important elements of our community,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said. “We encourage others to follow their lead in creating a well-planned path to full recovery in manageable steps. The community is so happy at each and every sign of normalcy that returns to our beloved islands.”
Huxters took its first step toward recovery by opening a food truck on Dec. 12 for serving its deli dishes to a grateful fan base.
“David Geyer is our store manager,” Susan Murphy, who has owned Huxters since 2014 with her husband, Dan, said. “He and his team have performed miracles by opening the food truck and getting the store ready to open. I don’t know what we would have done without them. All this while they have also been dealing with Ian’s aftermath at their homes.”
In operation on Sanibel since the 1950s — originally a truck selling tomatoes and later a produce stand — Huxters has been feeding islanders for decades. The owners are thankful they were able to open their second liquor store, Sanibel Spirits, early on at Jerry’s shopping center, and to sell fresh-made sandwiches and snacks from the truck so soon in the game.
“We have had so many customers tell us how much they appreciate us being open, and we’re grateful for their support,” Murphy said. “Keeping our employees has been our top priority and they have come through for us with flying colors.”
CROW evacuated its animal patients to the Animal Refuge Center in North Fort Myers before Hurricane Ian hit and returned them and its hospital and rehabilitation team home on March 15. It has now opened most of the exhibits in its Visitor Education Center, but it currently does not have its Animal Ambassadors on show, nor all its programs running.
“Hopefully our full education program will be back up and running this summer,” Executive Director Alison Charney Hussey said. “We do offer educational programs to schools and organizations.”
The clinic’s rehab enclosures suffered the most damage, she said. Staff is working with contractors to replace about a third of them with stronger, more resilient versions.
Currently, the Visitor Education Center and gift shop are open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for free. Its website and social media channels keep visitors up-to-date on new information.
Huxters Market & Deli is at 1203 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
CROW is at 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.