New cigar bar in south adds level of sophistication

The Reserve Cigar and Wine Bar houses Lee County’s largest humidor in the cigar shop.

Area business professionals have a new place to network and socialize in south Fort Myers.

The Reserve Cigar and Wine Bar opened three months ago and cigar enthusiasts are beginning to enjoy the smokes and drinks.

“It’s a very upscale place. I wanted to make a place where people could sit, talk and do business,” said Patrick Leslie, 32, of south Fort Myers.

Leslie and his wife Laura opened the cigar bar after going out to eat and realizing that nothing stayed open later than area restaurants.

“There are a few upscale restaurants in the area but after you have dinner ‘where do you go?’” said Leslie, who employs more than 20 that serve drinks and sell cigars. “Fort Myers needed a place like this ... with a little touch of class and elegance.”

That level of sophistication is why Leslie decorated the bar with fine art, lush leather couches and bar stools.

“It brings an elegant touch and allows people who want to do business to have a place just for them,” said Leslie, about the bar that offers a membership package for those looking for more privacy. “Our service is top notch, too.”

The Reserve offers members a room that can only be accessed using a thumb print scanner. It has a private bar, flat screen TVs and couches.

“The memberships give them a special area, they get lockers, and it’s more private when members want to avoid the louder part of the bar,” Leslie said.

The 6,000-square-foot space also houses a cigar shop and Lee County’s biggest humidor, Leslie said.

“It provides a social atmosphere that is lacking in bars where mature people go,” said Jason Teeters, the general manager. “It’s enjoyable and the atmosphere is different.”

The difference is enhanced, Leslie said, when people walk into the bar’s liquor store that has its own private entrance.

“It’s starting to get busier and we are restocking the shelves often,” said Mike Metzgar, the liquor store manager, about the shop that sells mostly high-end liquors and 110 wines. “We carry everything you can think of in the high-end market and if we don’t have it, we special order, too.”

South Trail station’s renovation complete

The renovation of the South Trail Fire & Rescue Station 1 is complete and drivers on Crystal Drive are taking notice of the building that was once unsightly.

Firefighters and emergency personnel will be opening the station to the public on Jan. 5, 2008 at a ribbon cutting to celebrate the project’s completion.

“It was a challenge because we kept the station operational during the remodel but we were able to do it all,” said Donnie Laubheimer, the project manager of the remodel that took almost 8 months to complete. “That’s our busiest station and that was another issue but it all worked out.”

Completing the project meant turning a 1966 gas station that was overhauled in 1985 into a functional 2008 fire station complete with living quarters, parking spaces and a new community educational facility.

'It was challenging at best to get a nice plan that would allow us additional space and make a difference for our staff,” said Fire Chief William Lombardo about the project that includes 10 beds, a new truck bay and a workout room. “The new plan opened up some window space and now it’s not dark and dingy anymore.”

The $1.4 million project was paid for in a joint venture between the Fire Rescue department and Emergency Management Services who will also be housed at the station.

“It’s an asset to the community and now the appearance is what it should be after 30 years of service,” said Laubheimer, about the 5,530 square foot building. “It’s amazing to look at the old picture and see the transformation now.”

The transformation of the building also gave the department an opportunity to purchase an additional rescue truck and eventually add more staffing.

“We can provide a better service because when one engine is on call, another one is ready,” said Lombardo about the department that serves 60,000 residents district wide. “It’s really nice for our people to have a new facility because they service a very populous area.”

Evangelical School to launch campaign

Evangelical Christian School Headmaster John Hunte points to the area where the new Fine Arts building will be built on the school's campus.

John Hunte dreams of a school with state-of-the-art classrooms, an expansive library and a 1,500-seat theater, one about as large as the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.

The Evangelical Christian School’s headmaster says his south Fort Myers school needs to expand to such levels because its student population has grown from 986 to 1,250 — a 27 percent gain — in the past four years.

So Hunte has launched a campaign to raise $16 million for a fine arts building.

Hunte estimates it will take about five years to raise the money and to complete the project. School officials plan to ask area donors for money and later figure out how much more will be raised by students and their parents.

“We haven’t had a formal kick-off for the campaign and with the economy. We are proceeding very cautiously,” said Lisa Spearman, the school’s director of development. She is in charge of planning and eventually implementing the campaign fundraiser.

The project would increase campus size by 25 acres. The expansion also would include 1,750-square-foot library and media center, nine new classrooms and 480 additional parking spaces.

“The school has experienced a substantial growth in the last few years, and we could use this building yesterday,” Hunte said. “We are at capacity and a lot of students are on waiting lists for different programs and activities.”

The lists are getting longer as word spreads about the school’s college preparatory educational focus, its athletic programs and its growing fine arts department. Evangelical Christian’s average annual tuition is $6,500 and takes students from elementary through high school.

“This building will be more conducive for them to perform, and that’s important because they can further utilize the talents they have,” said Hunte, who graduated from Evangelical Christian in 1984. “It’s exciting to see the growth of the facilities and see the balance of offerings ... more so than when I was a student.”

Bishop Verot, a private Catholic High School, raised $1.8 million in 1996 to build a 919-seat theater.

The Canterbury School in south Fort Myers opened a $14 million upper school in September.

“It’s exciting. I wish they had it 10 or 12 years ago. ... That was my dream,” said Bonnie Casey, who’s worked as director of student activities at Evangelical Christian for 33 years and was once a drama teacher. “I hope we get it while I’m still around to see it and take part with it. I’m jumping for joy.”

Teachers and administrators say they’re looking forward to the project because it will make learning more convenient for students.

Hookah bar is popular with all ages

Nick Patel, 21, smokes from a hookah at the Sahra Hookah Lounge in south Fort Myers while his friends Dennis Karbowski, 28, of south Fort Myers and Teanna Timmons, 20, of south Fort Myers play cards at the lounge.

The hookah, or water pipe, is gaining popularity among the young and old at the Sahra Hookah Lounge in south Fort Myers.

Owner Amir Mansour has seen a growth in people interested in smoking from the water pipes that are filled with flavored tobacco and inhaled using a hose.

“It’s part of my culture and my friends, we’d all get together at my house and make hookah’s and chill,” said Mansour, who got the idea for the shop after realizing there were no hookah style bars in the area. “It was fun and people come from all over to hang out.”

Mansour named the shop that is nestled on McGregor Boulevard Sahra which means “late hang out” in Arabic.

“I come here for inner peace,” said Dennis Karbowski, 28, of south Fort Myers.

He was playing cards at the lounge recently with Nick Patel, 21, who visits so often there is a flavor named after him on the menu.

“It’s a good place to hang out because when you are under 21, it minimizes where you can go,” said Patel, whose mix is called the Nick Mix. “We play games and it’s like a sports bar for us.”

The lounge has been open since February and Mansour said it’s usually hectic on the weekends.

“I open late so people can come and chill and they have a late night option,” said Mansour, who offers a live band on Thursday nights and a belly dancer on Saturday nights. “People come from Naples and as far as Port Charlotte when they hear about us.”

The word is spreading, said Mansour, who attracts people of all ages and offers teas and desserts for those not interested in smoking the hookah.

“We are the only people here and they just love this place,” said Mansour, whose shop is decorated with leather couches and colorful pillows and rugs. “I don’t advertise because people just hear about it and come in and keep coming.”

Teanna Timmons, 20, spends a lot of time at the lounge playing cards and spending time with friends.

“It’s somewhere different to go than your typical club,” said Timmons, of south Fort Myers. “We like being here. We are here all the time playing cards.”

Boys & Girls Club gets a visit from Santa Claus

Luis Jose, 8, received clothes from Santa Claus at a holiday celebration in south Fort Myers. The children spent time eating pizza, doing crafts and receiving presents.

Pizza, soda and a Santa Claus with a sack of gifts greeted children from the Boys & Girls Club of Lee County recently at a holiday celebration in south Fort Myers.

The event, which was sponsored by the local community and members of the Executive Council of Southwest Florida, gave kids the opportunity to enjoy the holidays in a new way.

“It’s amazing how everyone came together and the motivation and dedication to give these kids something for the holidays,” said Bradley Dohack, the president and founder of the council. “They get an interaction with people they don’t run into everyday.”

The celebration included a coloring contest, a reindeer ornament crafts project, a caricaturist and Santa Claus.

“It’s great because we get presents and we have food,” said Angie Carsolio, 9, of the Boys & Girls Club.

The presents, activities and Santa Claus were all provided by area businesses that were approached by the executive council.

“Their focus is to promote and support the Boys & Girls Club. They planned the event and got the wish lists together,” said Bill Gunnin, the executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Lee County, about the executive council that was created three months ago.

The council is a collection of young professionals that meet once a month to network and socialize. They are a branch of the Boys & Girls Club of Lee County but act as a separate entity.

“We want to show these kids that there are adults that do care about them and that love them,” said Gunnin adding that the Crowne Plaza Hotel donated the space for the event. “It goes a long way for them and it allows the community to help.”

Franceska Hernandez, 6, attended the celebration and was all smiles.

“It’s good that if you be good, Santa gave me presents,” said Hernandez, who was one of the 50 children invited. “He gave me five presents!”

Boutique goes to prove that Women Ride, Too

Women Ride Too! on Park Meadows Drive in south Fort Myers sells feminine helps for women looking for something different.

Sexy, sophisticated and feminine are just a few words Casey Taylor uses when describing her Women Ride Too! boutique in south Fort Myers.

The 1,500-square-foot shop on Park Meadows Drive is attracting the attention of bikers throughout the area, especially women.

“Riding is such a passion for so many women riders in this area who are professionals and want something classy,” said Taylor, who opened the shop in October. “I want it to be a place where people can come and talk about riding or anything they want.”

The boutique offers a wide selection of shirts, leather bags, patches and feminine motorcycle parts.

“I’m working with a lot of companies now to manufacture parts that are specifically for women ... there just aren’t many to buy,” said Taylor referring to the popular Harley Davidson designs that are most commonly seen. “People come here and are surprised by the variety.”

The atmosphere of the boutique is warm and inviting and area riders are noticing as they continue to hear about it.

“I love it! I’m glad there is something out there for women ... it’s a fun place to go and get gifts,” said Debbie Ladd, 45, of Cape Coral, who doesn’t ride herself but has purchased several presents for the holidays. “It’s got a really big selection of things that you can’t find in other shops.”

Ladd has even purchased clothing items for her 15-year-old daughter and a few items for herself.

“We have a little of everything like bandannas with Swarovski crystals and leather chaps and gift ideas,” Taylor said, adding that the items she selects are not all pink or include skulls and spikes. “Some of this just doesn’t exist and (companies) are just starting to realize that it’s a big market for women.”

Men are welcomed at the store and Taylor offers a customized gift basket service and can special order items for customers.

“I work with them and can even help out the men pick something for their lady,” said Taylor who spends time showing customers how to wear bandannas and customize their bikes.

Beginning next year the shop will be offering rides for locals looking for a day trip or just a few hours on the road.

“I picked this store because it’s convenient for bikers to get in and out of and I hope that it will grow,” said Taylor who has been riding bikes for more than two years and opened the shop after being a medical office administrator for 20 years.

“Down here you can ride all year long and the weather is just beautiful ... it’s exciting to see the riders enjoying the boutique so much.”

Gift cards big hit with area businesses

University Grill in south Fort Myers is using its sign to promote their gift certificates. The manager of the restaurant said the certificates have been increasingly popular among customers looking for something different to give this holiday season.

Holiday shopping is in full swing and shoppers are running around trying to figure out what to buy their loved ones.

The problem is that sometimes grandma's hand-knit sweater, a funky tie or office plant just won't be the hit of the party.

That's why area businesses are offering gift cards and certificates that are gaining popularity, especially among procrastinating shoppers.

"They are very popular and we sell a ton of them," said Richard Zander, the manager at University Grill in south Fort Myers. The restaurant has been advertising its gift certificates on its sign for a few weeks. "It's hard to find things for your parents or those people who have everything."

Zander has seen the demand for certificates soar as gifters look for something different that won't just sit on the mantle and collect dust.

"It's a great gift because if they eat somewhere often ... you know they will like it and they can go enjoy a nice time out," Zander said, adding that some out-of-state customers order the certificates over the phone. "Some people have been here and then decide to buy a meal for their families."

Rib City is asking its customers to turn plastic into pork this holiday season with a promotion fit for the gifter and the recipient.

"If someone purchases $100 worth of gift certificates, they get $10 on their next visit," said Beth Watson, the director of marketing who oversees all the promotions for the area barbeque chain. "It's a little incentive to get a discount off your own personal meal ... it's been popular so far."

The popularity of the cards, Watson said, may be attributed to the convenience of the cards.

"In this electronic age we are in, gift cards are easier and you can use it as a credit card," said Watson adding that Rib City has never focused so much on promoting its gift cards until now."

The incentive to buy cards is good for customers who visit the restaurant often.

"We give them $10 barbeque bucks back and they can use it between the date of purchase and Jan. 31, 2008," said Watson about the cards being sold at 13 Florida locations. "It's not paper and they don't get lost because you put them in your wallet."

Gift certificates also make it easier for shoppers who want to give their spouses something from a specific place but aren't sure what.

"I find it's popular with the husbands and boyfriends because they know their (women) like to come and get their hair done and they get to pay for that little treat," said Patty Chafatelli, the manager at Indulgence Salon in south Fort Myers, adding that some give gift cards as a way to introduce a hair stylist to a friend.

"We get a lot of people who buy them for their moms who get facials and it's an hour of relaxation and pleasure."

Relaxation may not be on everyone's list this month, so the Omni Club in south Fort Myers is offering gift cards for the fit at heart.

"A lot of them buy one- to three-month memberships because they aren't sure of the commitment but they are widely popular," said Kari Fundingsland, the club's fitness director.

Fundingsland has also seen Omni dollars flying into members accounts as people walk in and gift money that can be used at the 6,000-member club.

"We've sold a lot more of them this year than last ... it's safer to put money on a member's account and they can use it whenever," she said. "Gift cards are popular because it's a gift with more options."

Families welcome at Kingston Hair Company

Kathleen Lichstein is a hairdresser at Kingston Hair Company in south Fort Myers. She is pictured giving Mindy Kasten, of south Fort Myers, a precision haircut. Lichstein specializes in coloring and razoring.

Kingston Hair Company is a full service shop for men, women and children.

The former Valenti's Barber Shop has moved, been renamed and opened in south Fort Myers on McGregor Boulevard in mid-October.

"We are pretty much a full salon service as well as a barber shop so the whole family can come here at once," said Barb Valenti, the part-owner of the shop and former owner of Valenti's Barber Shop. "We do all age groups and wanted to stay close to the area we had been working."

Valenti's partner at the company is Kathleen Lichstein, a women's hair dresser who specializes in coloring and highlighting.

"We kind of all do our own thing and it's a lot more relaxed and everybody comes for different reasons but it's very much a family," said Lichstein, while giving a customer a hair cut. She has been in the hair business for more than 30 years. "We basically put two services together and offer even more."

The shop not only offers haircuts and styling but also manicures, pedicures and permanent make-up application.

"I wouldn't go anywhere else! The atmosphere is relaxed and I get the best haircut here," said Mindy Kasten, of south Fort Myers. She was recently getting her haircut with Lichstein and raved that it's a comfortable place for her three year old, Haddon, to come. "It's hard to find somebody to do a precision haircut."

The unique quality of services the Kingston Hair Company offers is what keeps customers coming back.

"My men are mostly walk-in and it's busy ... sometimes I have six men waiting but the cut is worth it," said Valenti, who is a fourth generation hair cutter. "This is my third salon but I do love being independent and having a good time with the customers."

And, the customers appreciate it especially because most know how Valenti and Lichstein became business partners.

Both women used to work across the street from each other and met as Lichstein bought coffee next to Valenti's shop.

"We had a lot in common and are both from Connecticut. We decided to open up shop because we both wanted something new at the same time," said Lichstein, who met Valenti four years ago. "It all works because we know each others work and quality and we can refer clients to each other.

"We want customers to feel like they are coming to our home not our place of business," Valenti said.

Coffee shops compete, customers win

The Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is decorated with an Island feel and customers like Laura Parra, of Estero, frequent the shop to order coffee from Brian Gunnere, 22, of Estero. Parra visits Bad Ass for the caffeine and atmosphere.

Coffee drinkers are no longer satisfied with a simple cup o' joe.

They want it foamed, whipped, sweetened, frappuchinoed and sometimes iced.

Caffeine connoisseurs in Bonita Springs, Estero and south Fort Myers have mature taste buds and the search for that perfect cup of coffee has sent them flocking to independent shops cropping up all over town.

The Cgrape Cafe is the latest shop opening in Bonita Springs for locals looking for a relaxing and customized cup.

"Our place will be designer and a place where people can come and relax," said Mai Nguyen, who is opening the coffee and wine bar with her fiance Drew Harkness by the end of the year. "We don't have to abide by a corporate standard so we can be flexible with our guests."

Flexibility and affordability is the staple of independent coffee shops looking to compete with Starbucks.

"Some people can't afford expensive coffee every week at Starbucks," said Nguyen whose coffee will range from $2.25 to $2.95 a cup once the store opens west of U.S. 41 on Bonita Beach Road. "If our guests come up with their own drink, we will make it for them."

Attention to detail and service is what Nguyen hopes will bring customers to her door and not to the Starbucks down the street.

"I didn't see that we had anything in Bonita that we call a comfortable atmosphere and place for the locals to come out," said Nguyen, who will design the shop with influences from her Asian background.

Nguyen knows the Starbucks company because while working for a hotel, she oversaw the opening of two licensed Starbucks stores.

That's why the Cgrape, which comes from sea grape, has to offer more.

"We want to capture all the taste buds and needs all in one place," Nguyen said. "The couple who will want coffee and wine can get it all here."

Starbucks has been filling the needs of customers since 1971 and in comparison to small stores, the franchise boasts 6,566 company-operated stores and 3,729 licensed stores in the United States, according to their Web site.

But having a store in every corner isn't keeping small shops from filling in the coffee market.

"The people that come here and like coffee but want something different and that's what we are," said Tom Harper, the manager of the Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii in Estero. The shop serves 100 percent Kona Coffee. "Our coffee is totally different than Starbucks ... from taste and flavor to having low acid and no after taste."

Bad Ass Coffee, which opened on Corkscrew last year, has a shop in Naples and continues to grow.

"We are in the Aloha lifestyle and it's just mellow and we play Island music and people like that," said Harper, about the store that is decorated with tiki's and island art.

Nick Firrincieli, part-owner of the Bear Rock Cafe in south Fort Myers, credits a cozy atmosphere and an ample menu for his success.

"Although we offer great coffees ... we are more than a coffee shop. We have TVs, a fireplace

and free Wi-Fi," said Firrincieli about the cafe that also offers a full menu including soups, sandwiches and dinners. "We dwell on customer service and value is a big thing too, especially with this economy, our prices are a bit more competitive than (Starbucks) is."

The Grind Coffee House and Roaster in south Fort Myers makes it a point to offer something different but is glad Starbucks exists.

"I'm glad Starbucks is around. They raised the bar and exposed people to coffee and we probably wouldn't be in business if it wasn't for them," said Owner Brian Dooley, 37. "The Grind is about getting the best green bean, roasting it here and serving it quick."

Dooley believes Starbucks success has made people understand why his freshly roasted coffee is better.

"They made it popular and we use a coffee roaster and that's the best way to get the highest quality cup of coffee," Dooley said admitting that he has a similar product to Starbucks but his customers are more about flavors. "We offer 25 to 30 different countries of coffee here. Our target market is more of someone that wants to taste the individual characteristics of the region."

Customers appreciate the care that shops like The Grind and Bad Ass coffee offer.

"I come for the caffeine. It's nice to have a coffee place that does specialty coffees," said Laura Parra, of Estero, while ordering a few cups for her coworkers. "This is perfect for us. The coffee is good and it's not Starbucks."

Christmas tree tradition important to businessman

Russ Whited of Russ Whited Fresh Christmas Trees measures a tree at his warehouse with assistance from Wilmer Hernandez.

Russ Whited enjoys working for holiday shoppers.

The owner of Russ Whited Fresh Christmas Trees in Fort Myers has been in business for 37 years and only one thing keeps him going year after year.

"Most people are jolly at Christmas time," said Whited, 78, while watching the first shipment of trees unloaded off a refrigerated truck. "We got in this business because it's tradition."

And tradition is important to Whited who spends all year thinking about the holidays. He owns a Christmas tree farm in North Carolina and one in Oregon and flies up often to see them grow.

"We live in the subtropics and you can't grow trees here ... but it's the tradition of it," said Whited who employs a large staff to help maintain the trees. "Most people are from up north and they are used to cutting down their own tree."

Whited sells trees that are watered and ready to be taken home but keeping them fresh is a priority.

"It takes no more than 45 seconds for my trees to be cut and put in a refrigerated truck," said Whited who sells fireworks during the off season. "In Oregon the weather is always rainy so a wheeled truck can't get in the fields ... we harvest by helicopter."

He is so proud of his Christmas tree operation that a painted mural adorns the inside walls of his warehouse.

"The distance between cutting and the truck is short because it has to be," said Whited pointing at the mural of a helicopter moving a tree near a mountain top.

He will sell an average of 2,500 to 3,000 trees this season.

"This one is eight feet," said Renato Medina, 39, who unloaded 700 fraser fir trees from North Carolina into the side of the 7,000 square foot warehouse.

The trees are hand carried and stacked together based on height. They are then watered and cared for until sold.

"We stack them standing up because they grow that way," Whited said adding that laying them down also keeps the tree from being evenly watered. "We also shake them up before we sell them to ensure all the needles come off and people don't think it's dying."

The care and quality the trees receive is why Whited — through fax and phone — takes orders from Hong Kong, Singapore, and even Honduras.

"It's amazing how much business we do overseas and even if I can't understand what they are saying ... they get them anyway," said Whited, who doesn't have a website. "We also do commercial decorating locally so we kind of do it all."

Russ Whited Fresh Christmas Trees also sells artificial trees, tree stands and bags that can be used to dispose of trees.

The economy hasn't affected the business either, he said.

"I look back at the 70's when we couldn't buy gas and that was one of our best years," Whited said. "It's about the tradition and celebrating the birth of Christ."

Sweets and Spirits elicit donations

Barbara Sherman, 73, of south Fort Myers, watches on as Bonefish Grill bartender Christine Dennis, 24, of south Fort Myers, pours a drink at the Chocolate & Spirits Festival at Bell Tower Shops.

Chocolate had south Fort Myers buzzing at the Bell Tower Shops recently as support for the Lee County Library System poured in from sweet-toothed donors.

Locals and shoppers at the mall participated in a Chocolate & Spirits Festival that raised $3,367.86 to support the library's Reading Festival and had a chance to taste sweet treats from area restaurants.

"I saw the posters at the library and it seemed like a good thing to support," said Barbara Sherman, 73, of south Fort Myers. "I go to the library twice a month and check out books and they let you keep them for a month."

Participants purchased tickets for $1 and used them to taste chocolate-covered pretzels, shakes, brownies and cherries.

"It's a great way to get your name out there and it's for a good cause," said Tammy Karau, the owner of Kilwin's Gulf Coast Town Center, who said she garnered business from attending the event last year. She was one of 11 vendors that participated. "It's like killing two birds with one stone."

The library system was hoping that the money collected would help cover the festival that is scheduled for March 15, 2008 in Fort Myers.

"I've been to several libraries in Lee County and they are great," said Anne Van Aller, 75, of Cape Coral. She drove down for the festival because she wanted to taste the brownie, cheesecake and Friday's new mint moose. "Everything is so good and it's nice to support the library."

Karen Sloan, the development specialist for the library system, was happy with the community's willingness to help.

"It's always a great success for us and it's particularly important to raise money for the Reading Festival because of the budget cuts," said Sloan, adding that the event is one of the most attended because it involves chocolate. "It's the chocolate! It really draws people in and people remember this one."

Chocolate lovers explore world of chocolates

Ruth Konkwski, of south Fort Myers, and her neighbor Sally Cooper taste chocolate and drink Assam tea during a chocolate and tea pairing session at Lakes Regional Library.


Ginny Lai, of south Fort Myers, discusses chocolate with Marlene King, 62, of Cape Coral, during a lecture on chocolate at Lakes Regional Library in south Fort Myers.

Chocolate and tea lovers at Lakes Regional Library recently spent the afternoon savoring and learning about the elixir of the gods.

The program, which was sponsored by the Friends of Lakes Regional Library, brought out a crowd of more than 30 looking for a sweet treat.

“Chocolate is a taste embedded in the brain but what American’s eat every day is not chocolate, it’s candy,” said Laurie Nienhaus, a local speaker and author of a few books on tea. “The chocolate being tasted today is intense, dark but doesn’t have much sugar.”

And that was the first line that surprised the audience who sat eagerly in their chairs as Nienhaus took them through the history, flavors and regions related to chocolate.

“It was very informative and I didn’t know all of these things about chocolate ... I had never thought about it,” said Kathy Drier, 66, of south Fort Myers.

She came out to the program with a few friends and wasn’t sure what to expect.

“I’ll be reading more about it and seeing what kind of cocoa beans are in there,” Drier said adding that she is changing the way she shops for chocolate.

Giving people that extra knowledge about chocolate was the speakers goal. Keeping their attention was easy as she spoke poetically and narratively throughout the presentation.

“The presenter was spellbinding,” said Sally Cooper, 71, of south Fort Myers, adding that the chocolate facts were fascinating. “It was so informative and really added a lot of reasons as to why dark (chocolate) is best.”

The program also gave tasters a chance to experience pure Assam tea, which is often blended in English morning teas.

“We aren’t having a traditional chocolate tasting because we won’t taste things in between each piece,” said Nienhaus, who gave participants six pieces of different chocolates with higher and higher percentage levels of cocoa beans. “Chocolate tasting has a lot of the same word play that wine and tea have.”

The word play was used throughout the lecture as people tasted and talked about it’s aroma, texture, and balance. Others used words like buttery, fruity, and reminiscent of soil or mushrooms.

“I didn’t know what to expect but it was so very interesting,” said Fox Valery, 40, of south Fort Myers. “She really knows her chocolates.”

Trees for Troops

Russ Whited, owner of Russ Whited Fresh Christmas Trees, watches on as a truck is unloaded
with the first shipment of Christmas trees. Renato Medina, 39, unloads from the truck while Lazaro
Mendez, 21, takes the trees to holding area where they are watered and then sold.

South Fort Myers residents have a new opportunity to support troops in the United States and abroad during the holidays.
Russ Whited Fresh Christmas Trees is hosting its third annual “Trees for Troops” event today.

“It’s giving back to the community and helping take care of families that are sacrificing for our country,” said Russ Whited, the event organizer who hopes to sell 200 trees for the cause. “

The trees, which can be purchased for $30, will be put onto a truck and FedEx has agreed to ship them to 36 bases in the United States and overseas.

“I know what it means at Christmas to have family ties,” said Whited who is a veteran and got involved in the program to show his support. “This gives you that holiday feeling and they know that they aren’t forgotten.”

Whited hopes to be able to ship 200 trees to the troops but if the goal isn’t met, he said, he will donate them anyway.

“We will have a semi-trailer and when people purchase the tree, they can attach a message tag so the soldiers families can see it,” Whited said. “I personally have shipped an artificial tree to Baghdad with ornaments and lights.”

Helping soldiers and their families is important to Whited who said the holidays can be a lonely time.

“A normally $59 tree can be purchased for $30 and with FedEx shipping it ... it makes it easier for us,” said Whited adding that a plane load of 300 trees can cost $27,000 to ship.

The trees that are purchased in south Fort Myers will be shipped to a base in Tampa.

“It’s lonely to be at war and not get Christmas but it helps to know that people are taking care of your family,” he said.

Trees for Troops is a national program with retailers from around the country donating to the cause.

“In 2005 they delivered 4,300 trees to five bases. In 2006 they delivered 11,845 trees to 25 bases,” said Jessica Barton, a spokesperson of Spiro & Associates who is helping get the word out about the event.

ForeverLawn needs no water, mowing

The grass is always greener on the other side but ForeverLawn Southwest Florida is working to change that perception.

The synthetic turf dealership is expanding its offerings into the south Fort Myers area in hopes of giving customers a lawn their neighbors will admire.

“It's a seasonal market down here and you have a lot of snow birds that stay until April and they want that low maintenance lifestyle,” said Owner Steve Cianflone, who bought the franchise and moved it to the area a few months ago.

The turf Cianflone gives customers a chance to have grass that requires no watering, mowing and is bug free.

“Our product doesn’t have to be cut and it still looks like grass,” he said adding that seasonal residents won’t have to move into condos to avoid yard work. “We don’t want people to give up their homes and privacy and live with noise.”

The lawn, which is priced at $2 to $7 a square foot, can be installed fairly quickly.

“The lawn comes in rolls and it rolls out just like carpet,” said Cianflone adding that the product can be installed in a few days.

Cianflone employs a crew that removes the existing grass, lays down a base of crushed shells and concrete that is compacted, and a weed barrier is put down. The blades of grass are than bonded to that barrier.

“We put a weed barrier to protect the turf from vegetation growing underneath it ... our base is much deeper than other companies,” said Cianflone adding that the turf can’t be dug up by dogs or lifted by children.

The lack of watering needed to sustain the turf is also a benefit for people under strict watering restrictions and commercial locations as well.

“People here enjoy being outside and having that hamburger and having their children play and dogs run around,” he said.
That’s also why the company designs yards that enhance the look of the turf.

“We aren’t in the business just to sell turf ... we are here to make the lawns nice and make it aesthetically pleasing,” he said.
“We will work with the clientele to design that person’s yard with rock, waterfall or put in some decorative mulch.”

The company is the only one of its kind that is licensed to sell the synthetic turf and not even landscaping companies can purchase it.

“You have to be trained and certified and that makes our product better,” he said about the turf that is guaranteed for eight years.

The quality and warranty is why the turf has also garnered attention from city officials in Punta Gorda who are changing their zoning codes to accommodate the new turf.

“This isn’t the old astro turf from the past ... and hopefully people will see all of it’s benefits and follow suit with Punta Gorda,” said Cianflone who is working on his first project in the area this week. “Our turf really stands out and your neighbors will see that.”

Community brings holiday spirit to bazaar

Rita Zucal, 78, of Cape Coral, poses with her creation during the Reflection Lakes Holiday Bazaar. Zucal was just one of 60 vendors at the bazaar. Her christmas trees light up and are created using safety pins, beads and wire.

Reflection Lakes residents jumped into the holiday spirit recently by inviting all their neighbors and the public to the third annual Holiday Bazaar in south Fort Myers.

The bazaar brought more than 60 vendors from Port Charlotte to Bonita Springs to sell everything from baked goods to bejeweled shirts and crafty goods.

"This lets me know that it's the holidays and it gives you that feel ... especially because it's hot," said Jackie Hupperts, the event co-chair for two years. "It's not just our neighbors, we invite everybody to share in this."

The event that invites all residents to sell their crafts is decorated with holiday reds, greens and golds.

"We came last year and they had a lot of vendors. It's just incredible with such great stuff," said Simone Rice, 73, of south Fort Myers. "This gives you that holiday feeling."

The feeling is one that Reflection Lakes resident and bazaar vendor Laura Sargeant enjoys.

"It's wonderful to see the community spirit and be able to get together ... that's something that a lot of other communities don't offer," said Sargeant, the owner of The Bejeweled Penguin in south Fort Myers.

"It's nice to see everyone's creations and it's a chance for me to meet neighbors and new people."

The bazaar's baked goods are what tempts Maryann Konrad every year.

"It's one of the best shopping and the baked goods are fabulous," said Konrad, 72, of south Fort Myers.

She attended the bazaar with Reflection Lakes resident Kathy Shemes, 51. "The rum cakes are just to die for ... they sold out already but I put my order in."

The bazaar is a two-day event and co-chair Marie Nelson, 58, said she is glad that it appeals to so many people.

"Everybody enjoys coming up and getting to know each other and show off their wares," said Nelson, who spent a year planning the event and the last two months baking.

"We work hard to keep it upscale and everything is hand-made. We get good support and we will keep doing it."

Majestic Nails welcomes customers

Majestic Nails & Spa part-owner Michelle Vu gives Karen Stacy, of north Fort Myers, a manicure.
Stacy drives to the salon in south Fort Myers because of the service and prices.

A large inflatable balloon on U.S. 41 in south Fort Myers is announcing the grand opening of Majestic Nails & Spa.

Customers have been filing into the spa to take advantage of a 20 percent off special the shop is offering on its services.

"We feel like the customer should feel a very welcoming and warm environment," said Tony Vu, the owner of the shop that occupies 2,400 square feet of space on Lakeridge Drive. "We want them to feel special when they come in."

The shop that offers nail and skin services has six nail technicians and a general manager that is in charge of greeting every customer that comes in.

"The quality is important too but the service is even more important ... people expect that and they don't want to be ignored," said Vu, who runs the shop with his wife Michelle who is also a nail technician.

The salon, Vu said, is one of the biggest in the area and is easily seen from U.S. 41.

"All our customers are really happy about us opening and it's right on 41 and in the middle of so many communities surrounding it," said Vu, who said he services the needs of customers who don't want to drive to get their nails done.

The store took three months to build including installing 12 spa chairs, a beverage bar, and a station for waxing and facials.

"It's the quality of the work they do and the reasonable prices," said Karen Stacy, of north Fort Myers.

Stacy doesn't mind the drive because she said that the Vu family is worth following. She met them three years ago at one of the two other salons that Vu owns and said his service is unlike any other.

"The manicures and pedicures last and that's good," Stacy said. "Michelle and Tony go above and beyond."

And that extra mile is why Tony Vu offers each customer a free beverage and does his best to keep the shop clean.

"The atmosphere, service and cleanliness are things that we focus on and I know that other salons aren't going to do that," Vu said, adding that each of his foot spa tubs are disinfected after each customer and nail techs initial each station that is cleaned. "We use disinfectant tablets that cost extra but we are willing to spend it for the safety of our customers."

Vu said that the shop has been a success so far because of his degree in electrical engineering and his wife's finance and business administration degree.

"I got here from Vietnam when I was 11 and I didn't even know English or had money but I made it," said Vu who has two children and got into the nail profession after being convinced by his sister. "This shop is very special and we want people to feel that."

Clifford Paxson honored in last meeting as fire chief

Chief Clifford Paxson was honored with a plaque during his last meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Paxson’s last day in office is Nov. 30 and he has plans to move and work to earn a master’s degree.

Chief Clifford Paxson attended his last South Trail Fire & Rescue Station Board of Commissioners meeting recently with a group of his peers in south Fort Myers.

The chief, who has held the position for 10 years, was presented with a plaque of his badges since he began working for the station 25 years ago.

"It's difficult to put into words how I feel and no one individual can take credit for what has happened here," said Paxson before giving his last report to commissioners at Station No. 3.

"It takes a good group of people who work hard to service this community and do what we've done."

During Paxson's time in office, he has worked as a fire inspector, fire marshal, deputy chief and assistant fire chief.

He has used that experience to collect a surplus of $1 million and made significant efforts to get equipment needed to keep his staff of 85 safe as the fire chief.

"It will be a loss. Not only am I losing a good leader. ... I'm losing a friend," said Craig Brotheim, the fire marshal, who has known Paxson since he was 16.

William Lombardo will take over Paxson's job on Dec. 1.

"It was difficult to prepare for this meeting because I have mixed emotions ... it will be a difficult transition for me," said Paxson, 47, who will spend his retirement as a student.

He is moving to Kansas and will be working toward his master's in Public Administration.

"It's bittersweet ... it's a new phase of life" Paxson said.

The Board of Commissioners also took a few moments during the meeting to hold its annual November election.

Commissioners Richard Neville, Robert Gaskill and John Anderson were re-elected to their current positions as chair, vice chair and secretary-treasurer respectively.

DNA test gives dog owners new insight

Veterinarian Barbara DeMonarco-Snell poses for a picture with Lisa Snyder and her six year old dog McCloud at the South Trail Animal Hospital in south Fort Myers. McCloud will eventually have his blood drawn and have it tested for genetic markers that will tell Snyder what breeds are in her pet.

The dog barks a lot, jumps on the sofa cushions and nips at the ankles of delivery men.

And no matter what a pet owners does, the dog seems to have a mind of its own.

Veterinarians at the South Trail Animal Hospital in south Fort Myers are working to shed some light on the lineage of mixed breed dogs that may have been rescued from the pound or purchased from a pet shop.

The hospital is now administering a DNA test in which blood is drawn from the animal and sent to a lab for testing.

“Every dog has genetic markers that are consistent with certain breeds and this test can help answer a lot of questions for pet owners,” said Barbara DeMonarco-Snell, a veterinarian at the hospital who is having two of her own mixed breed dogs tested.
“We just started doing the tests and a lot of it’s new but owners will get a lot out of it.”

The $212.50 test is administered at the request of pet owners looking for answers about their pets behavior or possible health issues that may arise in the future.

“This will change how we treat patients because it tells the owner what kind of breeds are in their dog and that what illnesses might be characteristic of each,” said DeMonarco-Snell, adding that pets can have the test done during regular blood work. "We have identified over 300 breed markers for 134 different breeds and that is a great start.”

The test results take a few weeks to arrive but owners receive a five-page report detailing the eight strongest breeds identified in the dog's DNA.

“All 134 breeds on this list are approved by the American Kennel Club,” said DeMonarco-Snell adding that there are 400 identified breeds worldwide and more breeds will be added to the list as more genetic markers are found. “This is a test only carried by veterinarians and anyone who is curious about their pet can now have it done.”

Practice Manager Joyce Gerdin said the test will also help owners make sure they get what they paid for.

“If you buy a dog and it's different from what you were told than will know with this test,” Gerdin said.

Individual pet insurance may not pay for the test but vets add that the test helps them better plan a pets treatment.

“This (test) answers the age old questions that veterinarians face everyday and it allows us to tell pet owners more precisely what is going on,” said DeMonarco-Snell referring to owners who don't understand their pets behavior. “This is a big bonding opportunity for owners and their pets ... they can finally understand each other.”

Park project does away with exotics

A cyclist at Lakes Regional Park in south Fort Myers rides past new plants and shrubs that were planted at the park as part of $182,646.60 project sponsored by the Florida Division of Forestry.

Nature lovers, bird watchers and those who exercise at Lakes Regional Park in south Fort Myers are seeing a lot more green on the east and west side of the park.

The park recently completed a $182,646.60 landscaping project that in a few years will give the park more Florida friendly foliage and eventually a canopy that everyone can enjoy.

"We put a plan together to get rid of all the exotics that are bad for the park and we planted all new plants," said Fred Johnson, the project manager for Lee County Parks & Recreation. "Following the 2004 hurricanes, a lot of the exotics fell over and it was a mess."

Park officials had always planned to remove the Australian pines and Melaleuca trees that were taking over the native foliage at the park.

Johnson worked with the Florida Division of Forestry for a grant that helped gave the park $75,000 to start.

"Lee County through their landscaping projects are very good with working to solve issues and do these projects," said Mike Weston, the senior forester with the Florida Division of Forestry.

Weston oversaw Johnson's plans for the park and said the project will drastically improve the parks uses.

"The project area is a high traffic area and it puts people in contact with the woods and lets them enjoy it," said Weston, who said that in 10 to 15 years the trees will enhance the aesthetics of the park.

"Right now, it's kinda disappointing with the smaller trees but a lot of pine trees were planted and it will be great."

The project was completed in the spring and the more than 1,025 trees and 2,000 shrubs are flourishing, Johnson said.

Park visitors on the east side of the park can enjoy the walking trail that now includes a winding plant scheme.

Parts of west side of the park were cleared to make way for an open field where visitors can play with a flying disc and picnic.

Maples, palms, pines, oaks, pop ash, mahogany, black olive, bald cypress and red mangrove were a few of the trees planted along with smaller plants that will attract animals to the area as well.

"It has a greater variety of trees and everyone has had very positive things to say about it," said Johnson, about the project that reused the exotic plant material as mulched bedding. "It opens up a lot of area for people to enjoy and it makes it more attractive."

Work at the park isn't finished though, Johnson said, referring to a master plan that is being created to possibly include a botanical garden, a railroad museum and moving the park's maintenance facility.

"We are looking at various uses and how they can be arranged," Johnson said. "The work is on-going and it makes it all much nicer."

Fair prices and service define tire shop

South Trail Tire & Auto Repair Technician Scott Werner works to balance a tire using a machine that tests the balancing of tires and tests the impact they have with the pavement.


Jason Boyce, a technician at South Trail Tire & Auto Repair, inspects a battery at the shop that has 11 bays and has return customers that rave about the service and prices.

The South Trail Tire & Auto Repair shop is hidden behind warehouses on Youngquist Road in south Fort Myers.
And that’s exactly the way Owner John Zadrovitz likes it.

Zadrovitz, the shop owner for the last six months, is using word of mouth and strong recommendations to gain his customers.

“I’m not the cheapest one in town and I don’t want to be but I know that we aren’t on the beaten path but I like that customers like the work so much that they search for me,” said Zadrovitz, who worked at the shop for six years before buying it. “I have regular customers but as the word spreads more will come in.”

Zadrovitz has 11 bays and has four experienced technicians who are held accountable for their work that includes simple oil changes to replacing and balancing tires.

“I’m a stickler for details and doing the job right the first time is key ... my philosophy is customer service and my techs know that,” he said. “I’m a customer service oriented person and I will do what people want and make sure they get value for their money.”

Raymond Perry Jr., 57, is a regular customer at the repair shop who has trusted Zadrovitz with several cars including his porsche during a recent visit.

“He really understands German cars and he is just very honest and dependable,” said Perry, of south Fort Myers, about Zadrovitz who has serviced his cars for the last five years. “His prices are competitive and fair and if you have an emergency he will take care of you.”

Taking care of the customer is top priority for Zadrovitz who has picked up cars for customers all over Southwest Florida and even picks up and drops off customers at their homes.

“That’s part of the service and people appreciate that we work with them as much as we can,” said Zadrovitz, who lives in Gateway and moved to the area from Connecticut.

In his former life, Zadrovitz worked in the parts business and admits that working with customers is more rewarding.

“I always inform the customer what is work is needed and give the customer the option to make the decision unless the car isn’t safe to drive,” he said adding that after work is completed customers are shown the old parts.

“I always think of the customers economics when I give estimates for jobs and I balance what they need with value and pricing.”

Part of offering value to his customers, Zadrovitz has a Hunter Road Force Machine that tests the balancing of the tires and tests the impact it has with the pavement.

“It simulates the tires being on the road and he just has all the latest equipment,” said Perry about the service that costs about $22 per tire. “He is a great doctor of cars and I trust that I get good work here.”

Palm Pointe Shoppes under new management

The Palm Pointe Shoppes in south Fort Myers was purchased by The Timberstone Group, Inc. for $22.5 million. The HoneyBaked Ham Company was getting its new sign installed recently at the center.

The Palm Pointe Shoppes in south Fort Myers was purchased by the Timberstone Group, Inc. recently for $22.5 million and business owners are happy with the change.

The shoppes were recently remodeled and will be expanded to include roughly 170,000 square feet of space that will available for lease.

“We feel that this will have a positive impact on the surrounding areas ... ,” said Mike Denman, of the Timberstone Group. “... we look forward to contributing to the improvements on U.S. 41 with a significant upgrade to the property.”

The shoppes currently house national and local chains including Dunkin’ Donuts, HoneyBaked Ham Company and Dan’s Fan City.

“We are happy to be here ... we are in a perfect location right on U.S. 41,” said Bob Costanzo, the assistant manager of Dan’s Fan City.

The fan store has been in business at the Palm Pointe Shoppes for more than 13 years.

“We just moved back here after a long time and we haven’t heard about much else going on but it’s good,” said Constanzo, who had to relocate the business for 15 months while renovations were made to the shopping center. “We like being right on 41 ... our customers can find us easily.”

The Timberstone Group, Inc. is in negotiations with new tenants and could not reveal what businesses would be moving in.

“We will not mention names until the tenants determine it is appropriate but we are working to see who will come in,” Denman said.

Vijay Uttam, the owner of Noble Jewelers, is welcoming the changes around his fine jewelry store.

“We are in a nicer part now and have been here since May, “ said Uttam about relocating within the shopping center to a location in front of U.S. 41. “We were in another part of the center but now we are in absolutely the best part.”

Denman said the center will continue to grow as final plans are made to the layout of the shoppes.

“Currently we are still determining what the new layout will be but having only owned the property for a few months, the design is continuing to evolve,” Denman said. “We are looking to contribute with our upgrade to the improvements on U.S. 41 landscaping and resurfacing efforts.”

Bell Tower Shops keeps up with the times

The Bell Tower Shops is known for its relaxed atmosphere, landscaping, water fountains and ample seating. The mall is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.


Michael Kirk’s Portfolio art gallery and custom framing store at the Bell Tower Shops is the last remaining original tenant at the mall that is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Bell Tower Shops celebrating its 25th year anniversary and Cheryl Kirk, part owner of Portfolio, has been there the entire time.

"People think it's upscale but compared to other malls ... it has a charm to it and it's a beautiful place to spend time," Kirk said. "We've been in town for a long time and we are happy to celebrate the anniversary."

Portfolio was the first store to open at the mall.

The anniversary is a big one for the 352,000-square-foot mall because locals and visitors have come to appreciate the variety of shopping and activities available.
"It's convenient to a lot of our customers and we also have a great mix of retail, entertainment and restaurants," said Becky Thompson, the mall's general manager for 7 1/2 years. "Location is a rule of thumb in this type of business and people appreciate that."

The mall, which has been owned and managed by Madison Marquette Realty Services since 1995, has grown over the years to include 52 stores and a renovated movie theatre.

"The new development company brought in more national

retail stores and over the years has gotten better," said Kirk, adding that her fine art reproductions and custom framing store has seen an increased in its customer base as well.

"(Management) are very hands on, proactive and really worked to build this."

Working to build a successful mall on Daniels Parkway and U.S. 41 — once a little developed area — has taken years of planning and listening to their customers.

"We have gone with what customers want as far as tenants ... we just did another survey this past spring," said Thompson about the mall that is constantly maintained to keep up with the times. "It doesn't look that old but we keep it up to date and the tenant mix is very special."

The mall is decorated with water fountains, an abundance of trees, ample seating and has become a mecca for those looking for a different shopping experience.

"The way it was built originally, all the stores face in and there are some sign limitations so people don't know what's in it until they come in," Kirk said.

"When you come in, you see fountains, landscaping and see that it's a beautiful place to bring people, relax and enjoy the day or night."

The mall's layout is unique because the court center hosts events such as live music on Friday nights and a host of activities during the holidays.

"It's different and unique and it's just not your typical mall," said Vicky Kearns, the manager of Key West Boutique, whose 1,300-square-foot specialty boutique faces the courtyard. "Our store has evolved as the mall has grown and it's all better."

The growth of the mall has followed the area's increased population.

"The population grew so fast in 2002 to 2006 that we found that we were in the perfect location and reaping the benefits of that," said Thompson, who plans to spend the next 25 years continuing to grow the mall. "We are a tourist destination so we try to give it the feel that people who visit expect and it makes people want to come back."

Frank Tripodi drives from Cape Coral to Bell Tower because of what the mall offers.

"In Cape Coral we don't have anywhere like this to sit and enjoy the day," said Tripodi, 45, while enjoying a sunny day at the mall. "It's nice that you can come and just sit and enjoy the environment."

That environment — the offering to customers a relaxing atmosphere and a mix of activities — Kirk said, is what makes the Bell Tower Shops a special place to visit.

"People who come here to shop expect a certain level of service and we are able to give that to them ... unlike a big corporate shopping center," said Kirk, who in 25 years got married, had children and expanded her store, all while working at Bell Tower. "We feel like our customers are a second family for us and we really enjoy being here."

Margarita Grill to be rebuilt as tiki-type Lazy Parrot

Margarita Grill closed and will become The Lazy Parrot.

The Margarita Grill in south Fort Myers is being partially demolished and will become The Lazy Parrot, a tiki bar and grill.

"There is a need for this in that area because people don't like to have to drive these days," said Jeff Gambiano, the owner of the Buddha Bar & Grill in south Fort Myers. "People want an environment where they can relax and enjoy themselves."

Gambiano is expanding his bar and grill business further south by opening The Lazy Parrot and offering patrons a new venue to listen to live music.

"The two venues will be totally different but they will both have live music and a nice atmosphere," said Gambiano, who has run the Buddha Bar & Grill for more than a year.

"There aren't a lot of tiki bar places where people can enjoy the outdoors ... it is Florida after all."

Gambiano is rebuilding the 8,000-square-foot Margarita Grill building to include a new 80--by-50-foot tiki bar, new bars and a glass wall that will open to connect the inside with the outside seating.

"We want this to be something very unique and that's why we are adding the glass wall, people can smoke outdoors and hear the music," he said about the restaurant that will employ 30 to 35 people. "We will be putting more focus on a huge outdoor tiki bar in the front."

The remodel will also include changing the existing entrance

to the building and moving it near the parking area.

"There will be major changes, new bathrooms and all brand new bars," said Gambiano, who had been looking for a space to open the tiki bar for a year. "Our hope is to catch the second half of season."

The Lazy Parrot is expected to open in January 2008 and Gambiano said it will be unlike anything people have seen before.

"The food will be island fare ... fruity drinks at the bar," Gambiano said. "We will have anything that you'd expect at a full-scale night club and at a tiki bar."

Bear Rock Cafe a casual delight

Bear Rock Cafe opened in south Fort Myers.

A new dining option has opened in south Fort Myers and local residents and businesses are lining up to take advantage.

Bear Rock Cafe has officially opened at the Shops at Jamaica Bay and the casual restaurant has garnered the attention of locals looking for a new place to eat.

“It appeals to a wide range of people ... we have had a good mix of residents from Jamaica Bay and working people,” said Nick Firrinciell, the co-owner of the restaurant that opened on Oct. 22.

Firrinciell and his business partner Lou Iamarino opted to open on the U.S. 41 corridor when they noticed a need for a casual dining atmosphere in the area.

“I feel that we fill a nitch that is above a fast food restaurant and a lot of people like the speed of the service,” said Firrinciell, about the cafe he feels is priced lower than a sit down restaurant and people don’t have to tip a wait staff.

“You order, you sit, we bring you the food and leave when you want.”

Leaving the Bear Rock Cafe is sometimes hard for customers who want to try everything on the menu.

Food options include garden fresh salads, hot sandwiches, soups and cold sandwiches.

“It’s fantastic. It has a nice atmosphere and the menu is huge. Everybody here is polite, efficient, and always smiling,” said Nancy Markey, 67, a Jamaica Bay resident who visited the restaurant twice in its opening week. “The menu has (ingredients) that I wouldn’t think to put together.”

Markey said the variety of ingredients and salads that include artichokes, kalamata olives, onion tumbleweed and hearts of palm, will make her a regular customer.

“I had the best sweet potato fries. ... There is nothing close by here and they have a lot you don’t get everywhere else,”she said.

The cafe also serves robust coffees lsuch as the Bear Latte — a mix of espresso, steamed milk, a swirl of honey, a splash of vanilla, a pinch of spice and a heap of whipped cream.

“Eating fresh foods and natural foods are in our nature. We wouldn’t serve anything frozen,” said Gary Cobey, a cafe employee who worked at the company headquarters in North Carolina before transferring to south Fort Myers. “The menu changes constantly and people like that.”

The dinner entrees the cafe begins to serve at 4 p.m. include pot roast, meatloaf or crab cakes and grilled shrimp.

“We have limited time offerings and bake our bread daily,” said Firrinciell, of the cafe that is 3,450 square feet and seats 144. “Two people can eat for less than $20 here.”

The cafe is the first of the 33 locations in the U.S. to offer a full menu that now includes burgers, entrees and a five iced coffees.

“I don’t eat at $50 restaurants and this fills that need for me and not have to eat fast food,” said Markey while looking at the dessert menu. “The cookies are wonderful and I still have a a lot more to taste.”

Dog bakery to relocate to Coconut Point

Dipidy Dawg Gourmet Dog Bakery makes treats in sizes, flavors and designs to fit any pet owner’s needs. The bakery’s signature dog treat is the Dipidy Dawg face.

The week of Thanksgiving will have dogs salivating when the Dipidy Dawg Gourmet Dog Bakery opens at Coconut Point in Estero.

The bakery, which is currently housed in south Fort Myers, will be relocating to a 1,000-square-foot space behind Blue Water Bistro.

Bakery owners Valherie Royce and Ginger Rudnick are hoping to offer customers and their pets a healthy alternative to treats from commercial pet stores.

“People are treating their dogs more like kids now and we make the kind of things that fill that niche,” Rudnick said.

The bakery has been offering its products online for two years and ships to customers across the country. The products are made from organic extracts and the finest ingredients.

“We offer a pet treat not filled with chemicals and colors and things we wouldn’t eat ourselves,” said Royce, who has been a pet owner since she was a child.

She got the idea to open a bakery after Saxxon, her cocker spaniel, got sick and she had to prepare food for him at home.

“A lot of people have animals with skin allergies and it’s 9 out of 10 because of chemicals and poisons in meals,” said Royce, who met Rudnick 12 years ago and learned that they both had pets that had special dietary needs.

“We use human-grade ingredients and the pets ... nutrition is important and will extend the life of your pet.”

The mall location will give them a whole new clientele base, Royce said.

“We will have samples of our treats and the retail location will have everything in one place,” said Rudnick of the business that will expand to include a clothing boutique and luxury items as well. “We wanted to do something we love. We love baking and pets.”

The passion the owners have for dogs is apparent in the mascot they created to sell the product.

“We had him in our mind but it took a while to put that on paper,” said Royce about the Dipidy Dawg character that dawns every product and dances on the Web site.

“We put him on the packaging and we made sure it was all biodegradable and not going to harm our (animal) customers.”

Even the packing peanuts that are shipped with the treats are harmless to pets and smaller children.

“More and more people do care about what goes in the food and a lot more things are going organic,” Rudnick said. “Coconut Point is pet-friendly and it’s a good place for the customers that we want to attract.”

College Pkwy. site selected for eye center

The land next to Jalapeno’s Restaurant on College Parkway in south Fort Myers has been cleared to make way for a new eye clinic.

The new Elmquist Eye Group building will be going up over the next 12 to 18 months.

“That corridor there has plenty of traffic going back and forth and easy access,” said Colleen Reynolds, the spokesperson for the Elmquist Eye Group.

The new 13,000 square feet of space will give the doctors a chance to serve more patients and offer a 1,000-square-foot eye glasses boutique.

“We are outgrowing our space and we’d like to grow into a small group practice,” said Kate Wagner, an eye doctor who recently joined the practice. “We have a lot of patients and we want to get more space.”

Although the doctors own 13,000 square feet, they will be offering 3,000 to anyone who needs a space.

“It’s close for their current patients to find them — it’s very centrally located and it’s a lot more office,” said Reynolds, adding that the space is being built by Mark Stevens of Stevens Construction. “They own the entire second floor of the building.”

Patients, said Wagner, will also get better services because the additional space will include special testing equipment.

“I think our goal is to provide high quality personalized care and that makes us still a family-oriented practice,” said Wagner, whose office sees about 50 patients a day. “That will set us apart from everyone else.”

Being set apart is also why the office will dedicate so much space to an optical store.

“We are doing more high-end products and that will give patients more options,” Wagner said.

The Elmquist Eye Group’s current office off New Brittany Boulevard will be closed after the new building is finished.

“They didn’t want to move too far away and this works out well for their patients,” Reynolds said.

Decision coming on government complex

Lee County Public Works has asked the Community Development Zoning Division to rezone an agricultural piece of property to allow for a Pine Ridge Government Complex.

Hearing Examiner Richard Gescheidt and his staff will decide if the area, located a half mile south of Gladiolus on the west side of Pine Ridge Road, can be rezoned to allow for the complex.

“Lee County needs it rezoned so we can build on it and it will serve the future needs of the community,” said Michael Pavese of Lee County Public Works.

If approved, the complex will include an EMS, fire and sheriff’s station, a refueling station for emergency vehicles, a tax collector’s office and a helistop to transport patients in cases of emergency.

The government offices will use as much as 67,525 square feet of the property.

“Lee County wants to do this because the growth in this area has been excessive,” said Pavese, adding that the residential development of homes and condominiums will get better response times in an emergency. “The location will also save taxpayer money and the tax collector’s office will save people time.”

The Hearing Examiner’s decision is expected in the coming weeks and south Fort Myers resident Patrick Waibel is eagerly awaiting the outcome.

Waibel's lanai overlooks the property and he is concerned that the complex will disturb his wife, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

“All I need is for a helicopter to be flying by and the trucks to be making noise,” said Waibel, a year-round resident. “It's just too close to my home.”

Waibel was just one of several residents who live near the proposed government complex and attended the meeting to voice their concerns about lighting, noise and helicopters flying overhead.

They also expressed issues with the volume of traffic that will be created by the addition of emergency vehicles and a tax collector's branch that will be on site.

“I had a lack of information and what I gather is that it’s necessity that we do need it because of the increase of people,” said Delbert Small, 78, a year-round resident who lives just north of the property.

“My only concern is that it’s just too close to the homes and with the engines and lighting, it will disturb everybody.”

Members of the agencies that will reside at the complex were present and addressed the issues residents raised. Richard O’Neal was just one agency asked to respond to residents.

“The flight path will be near the area where there are no houses, “said O’Neal referring to a lake that is on the south end of the property. He’s overseeing the county's emergency medical air ambulance operations. “We work 24 hours, 365 days a year and we can benefit from the helistop. ... It’s safer for us to land there than on the middle of the street during an emergency.”

O’Neal assured residents that the helistop will be used in a limited capacity to transport patients to the trauma center at Lee Memorial Hospital.

Gathering information about traffic and noise was important to resident Wayne Sweet but he questions the need to build a complex on a property with homes on two sides.

U.S. 41 project on schedule

Marco Davila works on the turn-signal controls in a closed lane at U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway as part of a resurfacing project to be completed in the spring.


Gary Marle stands on a CAT paver machine that is used to place asphalt onto U.S. 41 as part of a resurfacing project headed by the FDOT. Martin Byrd, Moses Diaz, and Gary Marle Jr. uses rakes to properly align the asphalt.

Drivers on U.S. 41 in south Fort Myers are feeling the bumps in the road as work crews work overnight to resurface the street that is traveled by an average of as many as 62,000 cars a year.

The Florida Department of Transportation began the 4.1-mile resurfacing project in mid-August and plans to have it completed by Spring of 2008.

“The number one priority of the FDOT as an agency is safety and the second priority is preservation and that means keeping the state highway system maintained,” said Debbie Tower, the Florida Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

The project includes resurfacing U.S. 41 from Winkler Avenue, near the Edison Mall, south to Daniels Parkway. This will keep the six-lane roadway smooth and working efficiently.

“This has been a good running job and with weather permitting we can do it aggressively,” said Jack Keller, the superintendent of Better Roads Inc., the contractor on the project.

Better Roads has been working on the $8.6 million project at night to avoid disrupting traffic and the commercial businesses that line U.S. 41.

“U.S. 41 is heavily traveled and is very commercial ... there is a plan to their approach and we are really trying to minimize any impact to area businesses,” said Tower about the project that has been in the works for several years.

The project is expected to be completed in the spring, weather permitting

In the meantime, access to businesses remains available during the night work that begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 6 a.m.

That is a relief for Barnes & Noble manager Kathleen Pheriault who hasn’t been affected by the project so far.

“Our access has been fine so far. They haven’t done too much work here yet but call me in two weeks and I’ll let you know,” said Pheriault adding that her sales haven’t been affected by the project yet.

The project is on schedule and the smooth riding surface won’t need to be replaced for a number of years, Tower said.

“It improves the condition of the pavement,” she said. “It serves drivers in Southwest Florida with an enhanced U.S. 41.”

Salvation Army to open new store

The Salvation Army has purchased the former Spectrum Furniture Building in south Fort Myers. The purchase price was $3.5 million.

The Salvation Army has plans to open a 20,000-square-foot Family Store on U.S. 41 in south Fort Myers.

The $3.5 million building, which was formerly owned and occupied by the now-closed Spectrum Furniture, will offer the community a new place to shop for items such as clothing, furniture and cars.

“We did a non-scientific study and that’s a very good location because it’s a point of destination for the clientele that we attract,” said Meg Geltner, general manager of the Salvation Army of Lee County.

The store is scheduled to open between January and February 2008 but donations such as vehicles and other items are needed.

“We have seen a downturn in sales because of the economy so people instead of buying new stuff and giving us the old items, aren’t,” said Geltner, about the economy that is making it harder for the Salvation Army to raise funds. “We have family stores that are designed similar to Target.”

The faith-based organization is making minor repairs to the 20-year-old Spectrum building but is also working to find alternatives to closing their Fowler Street family store.

“The Florida Department of Transportation is coming and is taking Fowler and making it a one-way street,” said Geltner about the store that will be replaced by the U.S. 41 store. “We can’t close it down yet because there is still a need in the area and it’s real convenient.”

Geltner is scouting out an alternate location but said it would be easier if a patron from the community could offer the Salvation Army a location at lower-than-market cost.

“We have a very low overhead and we need patrons that could give us facilities in (Fort Myers),” said Geltner about the organization, which prefers to buy a location instead of rent it because it keeps costs down. They are currently paying $8,500 to FDOT for their Fowler store. “The Fowler location is beneficial because the Spectrum building is farther south.”

The Salvation Army purchased the building in full to avoid paying rent and use the money for programs including a Crossroads drug and alcohol treatment program for men in Fort Myers.

“The Salvation Army has the tools here to benefit anybody who wants to come and get help,” said Tom Lizotte, 58, who entered the program in 2002 and has been sober for five years. “It’s a good idea that they open stores because it gives them the ability to help people.”

Geltner expects to have as many as 3,400 people a year visiting the new store based on the visitors to the Fowler store.
“We are a good neighbor and the family store concept is very upscale,” she said.

Grounds for personal fitness

Trainer and The Training Ground owner Michael Lias works with gym trainer Ryan Lemley, 27, of Estero.


Rob Stoltz, 35, is a client of The Training Ground in south Fort Myers. He trains at the gym because of the personal service and because he has a doctor's office next to the gym.

Michael Lias and his partner Donald James are working south Fort Myers out at The Training Ground Advanced Human Performance Systems.

The pair bought and opened a gym on Winkler Road five months ago and have transformed it into a training facility for athletes or those just looking to get fit.

“We are a totally different concept from other gyms. It’s not about human performance, said Lias, 35, about the gym that caters to all age and fitness levels. “It’s about the good things we can do. It’s to change the community and change people’s minds.”

The partners, which also include founder and owner Markus Sherry, are working to change traditional perceptions of gyms by offering a comfortable atmosphere with a focus on the individual.

“Performance enhancement is for everybody to better their self-esteem, gain more confidence, and there is a mental factor too,” said Lias, of Estero, adding that the they opened the gym after seeing people get hurt at other gyms. “We got sick of watching people doing it wrong and we stepped up to fix it.”

Clients who sign up with the gym are trained based on the activity they are interested in.

“We can work with people just for running and how their body needs to work properly to do it,” said Lias, who will be offering a running store within the gym.

The store will be operated by Run Florida and will sell running shoes and organize running events. “There is a niche of people in this area with families with kids and older people who want to train.”

The 5,000 square foot training facility is equipped with free weights, cardio machines and a back room where clients can focus on sport specific training.

“With smaller facilities, you can give 600 members a lot of your attention and build that personal bond,” said James, who came into personal training after working with Red Sox players. “We aren’t trying to be (other gyms), we want this to be our Cheers.”

Rob Stoltz, a doctor whose office is next to the gym, said he joined because of the personal feel of the gym.

“The service is excellent and it’s personal one on one service,” said Stoltz, 35, of south Fort Myers while working out.

Apart from working to make bodies work properly for running, baseball or just simple walking after a heart attack, the trainers also offer a variety of programs.

The Iron Kids program is for children 7 years old and up and focuses on health habits and teaching children how to do exercise that can be fun.

“We do dance revolution and we use machines in a new way to show them how their bodies work,” said Lias, who also mentors local athletes and is looking for students interested in more training. “Our talents come from personal training, strength conditioning and rehabilitation.”

The challenge, said Lias, is that some people get injured because they don’t work on the body in ways that will help them in their chosen sport.

“We can do all kinds of things ... if you can prepare for it than we can put it together,” Lias said.

The next step for the gym is expanding the gym without losing the personalization.

“We are looking for female trainers ... we want to add more programs and get even more involved with the community,” Lias said. “It’s about the clients needs.”