Bailey’s Center Merchants’ Association officially launches with new logo
May 1 was the official launch date of the Bailey’s Center Merchants’ Association [BCMA]. The merchants located in the Bailey’s Center, located at the corner of Tarpon Bay Road and Periwinkle Way, have been working together since the start of 2009 to develop a joint communications strategy and a new annual customer events program. They have commissioned a new logo for use by all the merchants to mark the occasion and reflect their new brand identity.
The Bailey’s Center Merchants’ Association consists of the 13 merchants in the center:
Bailey’s General Store
Bailey’s True Value Hardware
Biddles Bucket
The Grog Shop
Nick’s Place
Hillgate Communications
Island Dry Cleaners
Island Cinema
Sanibel Barber Shop
Sanibel Beauty Salon
Sanibel Shell Station
Select Vacation Properties
Video Scene
“Until now, we have worked together without an official name, logo or identity to represent the collective offering of our 13 unique members,” said Ken Kasten of Sanibel Shell Station, President of the BCMA, upon unveiling the new logo. “We are very excited about our new logo – it represents the history behind the Bailey’s Center, anchored by Bailey’s General Store which was opened by Frank P. Bailey in 1899 on Sanibel. Our new logo recognizes our heritage, but with a modern look to represent our center. More than 100 years after the first store welcomed its customers, Bailey’s Center is now home to the island’s only cinema, video store, barber shop and dry cleaners and Sanibel’s longest established beauty salon.”
This year, the BCMA hosted the first annual IrishFest on St Patrick’s Day (March 17) and will continue to host further events during the year starting with a special family Fourth of July fun event – “Bailey’s Backyard BBQ” – in Bailey’s Center after the annual parade. BCMA will also host BaileyFest in October and a special event in December to mark the annual Island Luminary event, organized by the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce.
The merchants’ association in the center started to take shape when more businesses joined Bailey’s General Store, Sanibel Beauty Salon, laundromat and the corner restaurant, then called Coconut Grove, in the 1970s and 1980s. Mary Aleck and John Kontinos, who originally built and owned the center and whose family currently owns the Sanibel Beauty Salon, and Bob Aycock, who owned the original Shell Net, spearheaded the group of merchants and encouraged them to all work together to enhance the service provided by all merchants to Sanibel residents, guests and visitors.
Richard Johnson, who is actively involved in the BCMA, added, “I expect that the official launch of the association will attract new customers to the center while re-emphasizing to our many long term and loyal customers that we remain true to our heritage of exceptional customer service.”