Bailey family provides update on rebuild of main store
Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel reported that its rebuilding project continues to move forward.
At the Sanibel City Council’s meeting on July 16, the development permit for the Bailey’s Shopping Center, which includes the store, was approved. The Bailey family explained that it is a culmination of their years-long planning and preparation efforts to rebuild responsibly and resiliently for the future.
“It is important to the Bailey family to carefully reconstruct with the community in mind because all of the people that will once again visit Bailey’s center in the future,” the family shared. “This approval is well-timed for the 125th anniversary of Bailey’s General Store in 2024.”
To help the public understand the future plans for the store, the family provided a short history.
“Originally located on Matthews’ Wharf in San Carlos Bay in 1899, Bailey’s was the sole resource for all goods and shipping, as well as the reception site for visitors and residents of Sanibel and Captiva as they arrived on the ferry,” they shared. “After the first building rendition of Bailey’s was blown away by an early 20th century hurricane, Frank P. Bailey recovered only the safe found in San Carlos Bay.”
The family reported that he rebuilt the business as the Sanibel Packing Company on the land next to where the wharf was located, which was the resilient choice at the time. The second iteration of Bailey’s and “new store,” as he called it, was rebuilt overlooking the bay. The third iteration was built at Tarpon Bay Road and Periwinkle Way in order to move inland and improve storm resiliency.
“When that building replaced the second store, it was relocated to the Sanibel Historical Village and Museum, where it resides today,” they shared. “Interestingly, the newly renovated post-Hurricane Ian exhibits are worth a stop for history lovers.”
As for what visitors to the future shopping center can expect, the family explained that the biggest change will be the raised buildings, minus the historic service station. After Ian flooded the store, their biggest disappointment was their inability to serve the community in the immediate aftermath. The layout of the center will shift the main building to the southeast corner, which provides room for enhanced parking and functionality, along with a porte-cochère to load groceries in inclement weather.
The public will access the businesses via elevator or stair. Electric vehicle charging will also return.
In addition to Bailey’s General Store, the center will offer tenant spaces for restaurants, retail and other services for the island community. The family reported that while some previous businesses will be returning, other favorite restaurants and retailers from the center will not be able to return to operation.
The family offered answers to some of the most common questions:
– Will it be elevated?
Yes, it will be elevated to help avoid future flooding and ensure swift return to business after hurricanes.
– Will the outparcel restaurant space be rebuilt?
Yes, the former tenant has indicated they will not return.
– When will Bailey’s reopen?
As soon as we can rebuild, rehire and reopen. Likely still years away.
Recognizing that the project will be one of the largest rebuilds on Sanibel and is anticipated to take about two years, the family applied and recently received approval from the Sanibel Planning Commission for a smaller temporary location at the Rabbit Road Center on Rabbit Road. The next steps for “A Bit of Bailey’s” will include renovating the space for the needs of a grocery store.
The tentative opening date is late this year or early next year.
A Bit of Bailey’s will offer many of the same products available at the Bailey family’s location on Captiva, The Island Store. The family noted that the larger footprint will provide for expanded fresh offerings. However, without a large commercial kitchen and bakery, rehired staff will endeavor to provide as many of the products possible with the available space and equipment.
“Customers can expect to see some of their favorite products, including fresh guacamole and salsa, chicken salad and other deli salads, fresh produce and prepared fruits and veggies, hot meals, and the return of small-scale catering,” they shared. “The entirety of offerings will include the famed coffee bar, bakery, full service deli, fresh produce, butcher shop, seafood market, dry goods, beer and wine.”
The family thanked its partners to date on the rebuild project, including Benchmark General Contractors, GMA Architects & Planners, JR Evans Engineering, Delisi Land Use Planning & Water Policy, Coastal Vista Landscape Architects and UNFI.
“The temporary loss of Bailey’s has made such an impact on the community that WGCU created a documentary to tell the story of the island recovery through the lens of the historic store,” they added.
The premiere will take place on Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at BIG ARTS on Sanibel.
For more information about tenant spaces at the center, contact cjohnson@baileys-sanibel.com.