Chamber ribbon-cuttings mark return of historic businesses
The SanCap Chamber of Commerce and islands community cheered as two iconic Sanibel businesses celebrated reopening their doors following hurricane recovery. They included Sanibel Siesta on the Beach on April 8 and the Historic Bait Box on April 9.
“I guess you could say our official reopening was April 1, which is when we officially opened up to new bookings,” Sanibel Siesta Condominium Corporation Vice President Brooke Keneford said. “But we have had guests with existing reservations staying with us since January, and the development is buzzing with almost pre-hurricane activity.”
Fifty-four of the condo complex’s 62 units are open, 60 of which are on Sanibel Siesta’s rental program. The eight remaining units were ground level and most damaged by hurricane flooding, along with the office, which required total demolition. Most amenities have been restored, including an essentially new swimming pool. Elevator repairs and a new office are on their way.
Sanibel Siesta has upgraded its internet and television service and restored destroyed landscaping. It launched the Sanibel Siesta Family Bricks Fundraiser to help with the latter.
“One casualty was our ‘big blue chair,’ which was swept away by the flood,” Keneford said. “It was found some distance away and returned to us and is back in its former location. It has become symbolic of our determination to restore the Siesta to its former glory.”
“Originally a motel and cottages in the 1960s, Sanibel Siesta became the condo complex it is today in 1974 — the same year Sanibel incorporated as a city,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said “So, we congratulate them on their rebound and, at the same time, wish them a happy 50th anniversary, right along with the city.”
An essential part of the business community since island pioneer Ralph Woodring started it with his mother, Esperanza, in 1971, the Bait Box began as a trailer selling bait and other fishing supplies. Later, Woodring moved the old Sanibel-Captiva firehouse to the location.
“My family is a long line of Chicago firemen,” Matt Joyce, owner since 2022, said. “My grandfather, father, uncles and many cousins. One cousin was the Chicago Fire Department Commissioner years ago. I love that tie in.”
The historic building survived the hurricane, but flood waters pushed it off its foundation of palm tree stumps. The owners raised the cottage-style building by crane to put new concrete footings in place.
“I, along with every person who has driven by the Bait Box since Ian, have watched curiously and hopefully as the building was happily rescued,” Lai said. “It represents our history, our fishing heritage, our resilience, and we welcome its comforting presence.”
Sanibel Siesta on the Beach is at 1246 Fulgur St., Sanibel.
The Historic Bait Box is at 1041 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.