Two ribbon-cuttings reinforce sense-of-place for island
On Nov. 13, the SanCap Chamber celebrated post-Hurricane Ian reopenings for two fixtures on Sanibel: the On Island shop and The Seashells of Sanibel condominium complex.
“Serving our community with two entirely different but equally crucial essentials, On Island and The Seashells demonstrate the island’s determination to come back and come back stronger,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said. “Retail and hospitality lie at the heart of our islands’ appeal, which resurfaces more strongly every week.”
First opened on Tarpon Bay Road in 2015, On Island reopened there in July 2024, then moved to higher ground at The Village Shops a year later.
“The new location is the fresh start we didn’t know we needed,” co-owner Kate McDonald Sergeant said. “The shop is beautiful and beachy, and The Village Shops is a charming plaza.”
Most known for its high-quality T-shirts, which Sergeant designs specifically for the islands, it captures what it means to be on island and resonates with all people — residents and visitors — who love Sanibel and Captiva. The owners have a commitment to the community, demonstrated by support of island nonprofits.
“Sanibel has a wonderful small-town, close-knit feel, and we just try to show how grateful we are to be a part of it,” Sargent said. “Our On Island community was the driving force behind our reopening. Everyone was so supportive, and it felt important to meet the moment and be a part of the rebuilding and reopening of Sanibel. We are so grateful for all the hard work the chamber does in support of our local business community.”
The Seashells of Sanibel Board President Cathy Lanier credits community support too for the complex’s ability to move forward following the hurricane.
“The chamber has continued to support by checking on our progress and arranging for a ribbon-cutting to coincide with our annual members’ meeting, so many of our out-of-area owners could be here for the event,” she said.
“Our property has a fresh new look to match the Sanibel sky, and we replaced non-permeable asphalt with beautiful new permeable pavers, more in keeping with Sanibel’s focus on the environment. We’ve added metal roofs to improve our resiliency as an extra buffer against storm damage,” Lanier added. “Although our improvements certainly dressed up our property, they were made with sustainability and safety in mind — they’re far more than just cosmetic.”
Seashells has the same 44 units as before the storm, but they are all brand new. The condo complex, which was incorporated in 1976, is known for its friendly atmosphere and proximity to the beach, offering an affordable Sanibel vacation with all the amenities of larger resorts.
On Island is at 2340 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
The Seashells of Sanibel is at 2840 W. Gulf Drive, Sanibel.