The Naples Press - May 16, 2025

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BEARS VS. HUMANS

 The mauling of a Collier man and his dog comes amid more bear encounters

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Depot clears land for new store

Q: I see trees coming down across from Lely. Is that where Home Depot is going to build? – Kim Phillips Bernth, Naples

Q: Just curious, do you know what’s going in over on 41 where the Wave 101 radio station was that was just knocked down? Thanks. – Dave Belleau, Naples

A: Clearing began in March on the wooded acreage along U.S. 41 East in East Naples that will be the future home of the third Home Depot store in Collier County.

The Home Depot’s Southeast Naples project includes a 107,709-square-foot store with an adjoining 28,018-square-foot garden center on the southeast corner of Tamiami Trail East and Barefoot Williams Road. Construction of the big-box home improvement store is targeted for completion in March 2026, county documents show.

The general contractor is R.A. Rogers Construction, a company from Altamonte Springs that specializes in retail, office, institutional and industrial warehouse construction. The engineer on record is Kimley-Horn & Associates.

Atlanta-based Home Depot USA paid more than $13.25 million in October 2022 to acquire the combined six parcels totaling 13.79 acres in transactions that involved four different property owners, county records show. Home Depot’s narrow property

See ATEN KNOWS, Page 7A

FOR THE LOVE OF ANIMALS

Bakers’ gifts help area pets in need

By Therese McDevitt terry.mcdevitt@naplespress.com

When Jay Baker decided to surprise his wife, Patty, with a $5 million gift in her honor to what was then called Humane Society Naples, he was concerned that the news would leak out before it was announced at the organization’s gala in March.

“I’ve done surprise parties for her for other things, and she’s always found out,” Jay Baker said during a recent interview with the couple at the newly renamed Patty Baker Humane Society Naples. “But this, she didn’t find out.”

The small number of staff members at the

Shyla, currently at Patty Baker Humane Society Naples on Airport-Pulling Road, is one of 52 dogs and 32 cats across all of the shelter’s locations patiently waiting to find a forever home.

Humane Society who knew about the gift had been sworn to secrecy, with a plan to make the announcement from the stage at the March 21 gala while thanking the Bakers for serving as honorary co-chairs.

On the night of the event, before Jay could make his surprise announcement, Patty spoke up with a $500,000 pledge to the organization on the couple’s behalf.

“I was thinking, ‘Patty, hold your horses!’” Jay said with a laughing glance at her.

Asked how surprised she was by Jay’s gift that night, Patty said she was “totally gobsmacked.”

“If I had been wearing socks, it would’ve

Naples permit firm denies fraud

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By Aisling Swift

A Naples permit and design plan firm accused of fraud contends that the use of a 91-year-old retired architect’s seal was a misunderstanding, not fraud.

In an answer filed April 30, Octavio Sarmiento of ASSA Designs LLC contends there was no fraud or breach of contract with Naples designer David

Wainscott, who, along with Sarmiento and 23 others, is being investigated by the state Board of Architecture and Interior Design.

Sarmiento’s answer is the latest salvo in a wide-ranging permit-fraud case in Collier County that began in January, when Marco Island building officials discovered Wainscott and others were using the architectural seal of 91-year-old Gene Cravillion, who hasn’t practiced since August

2022 and lives in a North Naples assisted-living facility. Department of Business and Professional Regulation records show Wainscott has a long history of unlicensed activity dating to 1991, including representing himself as an architect or engineer. Most recently, in November 2023, he was fined $24,000 by the Board of Architecture

See INVESTIGATION, Page 5A

Bear attack comes as human encounters increase

By Aisling Swift

When 89-year-old Collier County resident Robert Markel and his dog were mauled and killed May 5, it marked the first time in recorded state history that a Florida black bear killed a human.

The early morning killings came at a time when humanbear interactions are increasing

and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering a proposal for a limited three-week black bear hunt — 187 permits in 31 counties in December, with a vote scheduled for August. Meetings will be held May 2021 in Ocala to allow the public to comment.

Advocacy group OneProtest’s Bear Defenders argues that it’s taken more than 50 years for the Florida black bear population to rebound

from 300-500 bears to about 4,050 bears today. The organization has scheduled statewide protests 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, including at the intersection of Immokalee Road/111th Avenue North and U.S. 41 in Naples.

“We strongly oppose this proposed bear trophy hunt and urge FWC to prioritize evidencebased conservation approaches that promote coexistence and long-term population stability,”

said OneProtest Executive Director Adam Sugalsky. “Lethal management, particularly in the form of trophy hunting, is scientifically unsound and fails to address the root cause of humanbear conflict, which is almost always related to unsecured trash.”

Markel and his dog, which was chained outside, were killed in separate incidents at his home at 22777 State Route 29 in Jerome, a heavily wooded rural area north

Obeying rules of water

Local courses teach safe boating skills

By Melanie Pagan

As National Safe Boating Week — May 17-23 — kicks off, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 96 members in Wiggins Pass are calling on Collier County boaters to take safety seriously, because the stakes are high in Southwest Florida.

“We have such great exposure to the water, and with great weather, plenty of opportunities to be out on the water,” Walt Delevich, flotilla commander for U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 96, said. “While that creates a fun environment, it sometimes creates a little too much familiarity, and we forget some of the safety things we should always keep in mind.”

Until it’s too late.

Tragedies such as the fatal accident Delevich referred to at the “Hell’s Gate” area of Florida’s Homosassa River last year — when a Southwest Florida couple, lifelong boaters, lost their lives navigating a blind turn — highlight the very real risks on local waters. Excessive speed, lack of lookouts and ignoring safety equipment all can turn a day on the water into a disaster.

Many of these accidents are preventable, said Gregg Ramshaw, a fellow U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 96 member. “Boating accidents happen fast. You can find yourself thrown out of a boat, and it’s too late to go find a life jacket at that point, especially if they’re under the seats in storage.”

Florida consistently leads the nation in recreational boating acci-

See SAFE BOATING, Page 4A

of Ochopee and Copeland near the 700,000-acre Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area, bordering the Everglades. FWC officials set bear traps and cameras overnight and killed three bears weighing 207, 263 and 434 pounds; a fourth got away. The bodies were sent to Gainesville for a necropsy and DNA testing. Evidence outside the trailer showed an altercation with a bear

Chamber,

CVB celebrate hospitality

The Greater Naples Chamber hosted a May 7 gathering to recognize the region’s hospitality industry during National Tourism Week, with about 100 guests from area restaurants, hotels and attractions celebrating against a backdrop of lower tourism numbers and challenges for the industry from the Florida Legislature.

Co-hosts for the event held at The Cove at Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples were Naples Marco Island Everglades CVB, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Skal International. And while the mood was festive, the mid-April report by the CVB to the Collier County Tourist Development Council, representing the latest numbers available from February, showed that tourism had experienced the first yearover-year drop of the season. Tariffs and economic and border concerns prompted a 23% decrease in Canadian visitors, usually a top market, according to previous Gulfshore Business reporting.

According to the CVB, each year more than 2 million visitors typically bring an economic impact of $3 billion to Collier County. The hospitality industry here employs more than 30,000 people, part of almost 80,000 such employees throughout Southwest Florida.

Softness in the tourism market

Kristina Park, president and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber, said she thinks lingering perceptions of hurricane damage from recent storms, a “geopolitical layer” and fears of a potential recession are affecting “traveler confidence.”

“From a Chamber perspective, we’re all focused on business resiliency, helping our community in the short term understand how to bridge any gaps that may exist so that they can be successful year-round,” Park said in an interview prior to the Tourism Week reception. “More long-term, as an entity, we’re looking at how we fill ‘shoulder seasons’ that are down in tourism because it’s not our ‘season’ and try to bring business to our market in those to create better yearround impact.

“Super-seasonal markets can come with a lot of challenges, even when it comes to the employee base and their abilities to be homeowners and stay in a market.”

Chris Lopez, regional director for Southwest Florida for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, a nonprofit hospitality industry trade association, said in an interview at the event that hotels and restaurants are seeing a softness in the market “on international travel, specifically to our destinations in Collier County and Lee County, as well as a softness

See TOURISM, Page 11A

RESTAURANTS

The 239 Naples set for ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’

By Tim Aten tim.aten@naplespress.com

The sixth Naples restaurant to appear this year on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” is ready for its close-up with Guy Fieri on The Food Network TV show. The 239 Naples at Mercato will be featured on Triple D’s “Barbecue, Beignets and Barbacoa” episode, scheduled to first air at 9 p.m. Friday, May 23.

The 239, which launched three years ago in North Naples, is the last of a half-dozen area restaurants that celebrity chef Fieri stopped into last fall to film episodes for shows that aired during the first half of this year. The restaurant follows shows featuring The Rooster Food + Drink and Molto Trattoria in Naples; Cracklin’ Jacks in Golden Gate; and The Local and Mykonos Kuzina in North Naples.

“There’s farm- and-boat-to-table with a West Coast influence in Naples, Florida, plating gangster grou-

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per ceviche and a gluten-free twist on beignets,” reads the promotional chatter for The 239 Naples on the Food Network’s website for “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

and Markel, but FWC said the sequence of events is unclear. The necropsy confirmed a 263-pound male bear contained Markel’s partial remains. That bear’s DNA also was on Markel, inside his trailer and on his dog. FWC officials said it was the only bear found at the scene that matched; none tested positive for rabies.

“The issue with a person being not only injured, but killed by a bear is extraordinarily rare,” Mike Orlando, FWC’s Bear Management program coordinator, said at a May 6 press conference. “It’s the first time we’ve had that in our state’s history.”

However, he said, dogs and bears don’t get along, so those encounters are more common.

“I don’t really know how to answer the question on why this bear did what it did, but we’re in the process of trying to figure all that out,” Orlando added.

FWC law enforcement and its bear management staff stayed in contact with the family and remained near the property through the weekend. They observed only one other bear in the area the evening of May 8, but it left the area.

“We want to thank the family for their cooperation as they navigate this challenging time, and our thoughts remain with them,” FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said. “I am proud of our staff’s professional response and support for the family as they faced an unfathomable event this week.”

Jerome, an unincorporated community in Collier County, is in FWC’s South Bear Management Unit, which has the third largest population of bears in the state: estimated at 1,044 in 2015 and growing. The FWC received 16 bear-related calls within a 10-mile radius of nearby Copeland between May 5, 2024, and May 4, 2025, resulting in five site visits, five capture efforts, three bears that were relocated and hazed and one that was humanely killed.

dents, according to multiple studies. In 2023, the state accounted for 10% of all U.S. boating incidents, the U.S. Coast Guard revealed, nearly double that of the next highest state, California. Drowning was the primary cause of death in 75% of all boating fatalities. Notably, 87% of those who drowned were not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.

That’s why the week begins with “Wear It to Work Day” May 16, a day ahead of structured events, encouraging boaters to wear life jackets to work as a reminder of their importance. Modern inflatable life vests can be comfortable and easier to wear, leaving little excuse not to use them.

“There’s now a whole new breed of inflat-

The 239 Naples’ brunch and all-day menus feature GF Better Than Ben-YAYS. Its version of the deep-fried French pastry is dusted with house freeze-dried strawberry

“pink” sugar and served with a variety of dipping options. The unique “Ben-YAYS” were created as a brunch item for one of three courses last year for the annual Sizzle Dining fundraiser at local restaurants.

The recipe for The 239’s beignet recipe is already posted on the Food Network’s website with the ingredients and directions for making the gluten-free dough. Accompanying the recipe for the dessert are recipes for strawberry sugar and two dipping sauces. The three-berry sauce is made with fresh strawberries, blackberries and blueberries, while the toffee sauce features heavy cream, brown sugar and smoked sea salt.

Obviously, The 239 Naples is neither a diner, drive-in nor dive, but it’s thankful for the spotlight from a national TV show that has expanded its scope since debuting 18 years ago. The featured restaurants still are small, locally owned venues with scratch menus.

“They’re looking for unique concepts that do a lot of work behind

Frantic 911 call

Collier County 911 dispatchers were alerted to the attack at 7:07 a.m., when Markel’s son called.

“I need the cops and I need FWC,” the younger Markel said, adding a bear got his father. “He’s already killed the dog and now we can’t find [him] … One of the bears is still here.”

“I’m putting my clothes on and I’m taking my gun and I’m going to go look for this bear,” Markel said. “We don’t know how long he’s been gone. The bear just got the dog; the dog’s dead. We went in to check on him in the camper. He’s gone and the camper’s torn all apart … His whole camper was destroyed.”

Markel said he was putting on his clothes to find his father and turned the call over to his son as dispatchers worked to gather information.

In the background a voice said “Oh, my God” and the grandson told the dispatcher they’d just found his grandfather’s pants, wallet and shirt in the woods. The dispatcher said they’d sent deputies and would send an ambulance.

The dispatcher asked if he thought his grandfather ran from the bear, but he replied: “He’s 89, he can’t run. He literally can’t even

able life jackets that have become more affordable,” Delevich said. When the life jacket touches water, a CO2 cartridge activates and inflates it. “It’s a smart investment.”

Throughout National Safe Boating Week, the Auxiliary is offering a packed schedule of free public events, including vessel safety checks at West Marine and Cocohatchee River Park Marina, an open house at the Wiggins Pass flotilla and educational classes such as “Suddenly in Command,” designed to prepare passengers to take control in emergencies.

Delevich emphasized that one of the most overlooked pieces of safety gear is the emergency engine cut-off switch. This simple device can prevent deadly runaways if the operator is thrown overboard. “All modern boats under 26 feet are required to have them,” he said. But people often skip attaching it to their wrist, which can quickly turn dangerous. “If

walk without falling over … There’s frickin’ 40 bears out here. They come in and out every day and take the garbage. Now they just decided to kill the dog and take [him].”

An incident report shows that when sheriff’s deputies arrived, Sue Story told them a bear killed her grandfather’s dog in the front yard of their house, and when she went to check on her grandfather, who lives in a trailer in front of the property, he was missing. The dog was dead in the driveway.

She said she last saw her grandfather at 7:30 p.m. the night before. The deputy checked Markel’s home and wrote, “the trailer was in disarray, the mattress was off the bed and there were items scattered throughout the trailer.” He didn’t see any blood inside.

But about 20 yards away in the woods, they found his wallet, pants and shirt. “The shirt seemed to be saturated in blood,” the deputy wrote, adding he secured the area until other deputies and FWC arrived, when they found Markel’s body 100 yards away from his trailer.

“It was covered in dirt and leaves. I could only see a foot and a hand, and the rest of the body was covered,” the deputy wrote, adding he remained with Markel’s body until it was removed. Wildlife experts said bears often cover prey with dirt and leaves and return

they fall out of the boat, the boat just keeps running because they’re not connected to it.”

Other key safety reminders include filing a float plan to say where you’re going on the water, when, how long and with whom; checking the weather before departure and designating a sober skipper (a designated boat operator who commits to remaining sober). Alcohol remains the leading known contributor of boating accidents, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, accounting for 79 deaths, or 17% of total fatalities in 2023. Southwest Florida’s sun and heat amplify the effects of booze.

Flotilla 96 also offers educational courses including Boat America, a state-approved boating safety class that meets the requirement for earning Florida’s Boating Safety ID card. The card is required for individuals born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, who are operating a boat with 10 horsepower or more. Other ed-

the scenes in making the items that they’re showing. We fit that bill,” said Ray Corallino, general manager and beverage director for The 239 Naples.

The restaurant team had been working for quite some time to be featured somewhere on the Food Network because they know they have created a unique brand, Corallino said.

“Everything on our menu is available gluten-free. We don’t use seed oils. Everything is locally sourced. Fresh seafood is bought six days a week; fresh produce seven days a week. We just have a very uniqueness to us,” he said.

Being on the show was a lot of fun, but it also involved a lot of detailed work, Corallino said. The restaurant was closed during the two days of shooting but was able to open for dinner those nights. Fieri was there for only about 2½ hours on the first day.

periodically to feed on a decomposing carcass.

That day, Markel’s son, Mark, told friends on his Facebook page that a bear had broken into his father’s house, dragged him off his bed, took his shirt, pants and underwear and killed him. “Cage all bears one just eat my dad,” he wrote at 8:13 a.m.

Bear attacks

Although it’s rare for Florida black bears to injure humans, people have been bitten and scratched, most often when cubs, food sources or dogs are present. Last year, state lawmakers passed House Bill 87, which allows people to use lethal force against black bears to defend themselves, their loved ones or property.

The FWC receives about 6,300 bear-related calls yearly, 99,582 calls from 2005 to 2024. However, most involve “general interaction,” not conflicts, and only 1% involved public safety. Calls were the highest in 2023, at 7,311, and dropped to 5,689 last year, with 37% involving conflicts. In the south region, which covers Collier, Lee and Hendry counties, 47% of 5,897 calls between 2015 and 2024 reported a general interaction, 22% involved bears in garbage and 14% reported a sick or dead bear.

There were 628 calls in 2022 and 2023 and 663 last year, with 32% involving conflicts. Bear encounters statewide have increased since 2006 — when the FWC began keeping records — especially when dogs accompanied humans. During that 19-year period, records show, there were 42 prior encounters statewide — 28 involving dogs — with the most in 2022, when there were eight, all involving dogs. Only two were in Collier, one in 2008 and one involving a mother and cubs in 2018 (see bit.ly/flbearencounters).

Unprovoked bear attacks are rare. According to bear expert Lynn Rogers of the North American Bear Center, a person is 45 times more likely to be killed by a dog, 120 times more likely to be killed by bees, and 60,000 times more likely to be murdered by a human.

ucational efforts include local waters knowledge classes tailored to shifting sands and narrow channels unique to this coastline, especially as sandbars move with the tides and storms in our hurricane-prone environment, Delevich said.

Inspections offered by the Auxiliary are voluntary, and Ramshaw said most thoughtful boaters pass. Still, it’s a chance to fix those small things before they become big problems.

“A lot of times, we find that the life jackets are still in the shrink wrap,” Delevich said.

At the heart of Safe Boating Week is a simple goal: “We want to see fatality numbers come down to zero, accident numbers come down to zero,” Delevich said. “We want [boaters] to respect the water, respect the power [that] boats have and have a safe, fun time on the water by practicing the right procedures and following the speed limits and local laws.”

and Interior Design for using an architectural seal belonging to Leonard LaForest, who was suspended due to unlicensed activity in 2019 and died in November 2021.

Wainscott hasn’t returned calls or emails seeking comment since February and his attorney, E. James Kurnick II, declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.

In March, Wainscott sued ASSA in Collier Circuit Court, blaming Sarmiento for jeopardizing his projects, causing a nearly $106,000 loss and damaging his reputation. The lawsuit shows that since March 2024, DWD was paying ASSA $2,250 monthly for a licensed architect at ASSA to review structural design plans, a total of $24,750 through December 2024 for “what appeared to be approvals” by Cravillion, a licensed architect.

Sarmiento’s answer denied any fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of contract or violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

“Any misrepresentation was unintentional and resulted from a misunderstanding regarding the architect’s ability to continue his work due to his medical condition,” Miami attorney Eusebio Gonzalez wrote in ASSA’s answer. “… The architect, Gene Cravillion, was legitimate and authorized to perform the work at the time the designs were approved. His Alzheimer’s condition did not impair his ability to review and approve the designs at that time.”

In January, state Sunbiz records show, Wainscott was removed as director, secretary and president of DWD Design Inc. Engineer Joshua Greenwell assumed those positions and Douglas Clark is listed as vice president. Wainscott is no longer an officer.

Wainscott and Sarmiento are among 25 people and businesses that received cease-and-desist letters from the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation accusing them of unlicensed activity. The DBPR investigation is headed by Melissa Minacci, an investigator for the state Board of Architecture and Interior Design. If not cleared, they face a probable-cause hearing before the board in July.

Naples and Marco police also have provided evidence to Minacci, as did the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI also is investigating.

Many designers and builders were unaware of the fraud, but two who were most heavily involved, according to permits, are Sarmiento and Wainscott, who also operated as Dave Wainscott Designs Inc.

The Naples Building Department found five permits with the fraudulent seal, while a Marco Island Police report shows Cravillion’s seal was used 76 times since August 2022 for major and minor renovations and new home construction.

“The most prolific contractor that used Mr. Cravillion’s credentials was identified as Dave Wainscott Designs,” the report said, noting Wainscott used that seal 49 times.

The report listed ASSA and several other firms that received letters from the state. Stop-work orders halted construction countywide and homeowners and builders were ordered to hire a new architect or engineer.

In February, Collier County officials said 400 permits were involved, but that number had grown by March. Building officials said they were focusing on open permits or work that had just been “finaled” and by Jan. 31, they’d compiled a list of 188 properties, most still under construction, with 49 “finaled,” and two expired or canceled permits. Officials said they’re reviewing 200,000 permits dating back to August 2022 and have since declined to release further information, citing an exemption under the state open records law for active investigations.

Many involve Nova Homes of South Florida, whose management says they severed ties with Wainscott and are now using DWD Designs’ engineer, Greenwell, to stamp plans. When the LaForest fraud was discovered, Nova Homes told homeowners it was “blindsided” and Wainscott assured them he was “unaware of staff actions” and it wouldn’t happen again. Collier County has revoked Nova Homes’ permit-pulling privileges pending repairs to a North Naples home due to structural problems that don’t adhere to Florida code, but it’s allowed to complete work on outstanding permits. Eric Pacheco, Nova Homes’ operations and sales manager, has said Nova is a victim of Wainscott and is working expeditiously to remedy any problems.

Ribbon cutting for Hospital for Special Surgery

“He actually came in with Rocco [Mangel] of Rocco’s Tacos. He’s on the episode with us,” Corallino said. “We had to bring in guests for both days.”

The airing of the episode is good timing to boost restaurant traffic after coming off the busy season and moving into slower summer months in seasonal Southwest Florida.

“To have any bump in business is going to be very good for us and very helpful for us to keep pushing forward,” Corallino said.

Sadly, The 239 Naples owner Steve Sinchek won’t be there to celebrate his restaurant’s shining moment in the national spotlight. Sinchek, 65, died this month from head injuries he sustained in early February when an electric bicycle he was riding was hit by a vehicle in his East Naples neighborhood.

“Obviously, it was a very sad week for us. The best thing we can do is be strong and carry on his legacy here and do the best we can. The show is a huge tribute to him,” said Corallino. “I’m going to reach out to the producers of the show to see if they can do some sort of ‘in memory of’ for him.”

An owner of multiple hospitality ventures for decades, Sinchek was an active owner in his restaurants and bars. He has a similar concept, Local Union 271, in Palo Alto, California.

“We’re working out details with his family to keep the restaurants going,” Corallino said. “That’s kind of what he wanted and his family knows that he wanted that. We have a chief financial officer who runs the

out in Palo

and

are going to take over all the operational duties for the restaurants moving forward.”

The 239 Naples, 9108 Strada Place, Suite 14110, is open 11 a.m.10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight Friday, 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday and 10 a.m.10 p.m. Sunday. From page 4A

FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE

Advising women in shifting landscape

By Melanie Pagan

The typical retirement roadmap no longer fits the reality many women face. In Collier County, where living costs continue to rise and life expectancy stretches further, traditional planning often falls short, especially for women juggling caregiving, career breaks and wage gaps.

“I can only imagine, between quantum computing, AI and everything we’re seeing in the health care industry, how much longer people might be able to live,” Kerry Edwards, managing director, investments at Wilmington Trust in Naples, said. “Even if you’re retired with $5 million, when you’re living 35 years, that’s not going to be a whole lot to get you to where you need to go at the end of the day.”

That kind of longevity raises the stakes. Even diligent savers may find their resources stretched thin without updated strategies.

For some, retirement might involve some side hustle to help balance the books. That could look like working part-time in early retirement, Edwards said. “Just to be able

From page 1A

starts on WAVV’s former radio studio site near the RaceTrac gas station and runs east along the south side of the East Trail across the highway from Lely Resort and the county waterpark at Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park. The southern side of the property borders the Marco Naples RV Resort, whose residents have been vocal about the loud noises and thick clouds of dust created by earthmovers clearing the previously undeveloped land.

“We had an issue with dust complaints from the neighbors last month, and we are now checking in on the site regularly to make sure they are meeting watering requirements,” County Commissioner Rick LoCastro said May 9. A county code enforcement officer made an initial inspection of the construction site at 11800 Tamiami Trail E. on April 16 with follow-up inspections on April 23, April 25 and May 1, county records show. The status of the site development complaint remains open and notes that “Home Depot SE Naples PUD has failed to submit their required monitoring report.”

Car wash plans

Q: I’m curious to know if you have any information on what may or may not be built at the corner of Tamiami Trail East and Pine Street in Naples between Sandpiper Street and Bayshore Drive. The vacant lot has had multiple signs up over the past few years, so we are very curious to know if anything is for sure. – Matt Cottage, Naples

A: The vacant commercial lot on the southeastern corner of U.S. 41 East and Pine Street in East Naples is destined for an automated car wash with vacuum stations. The half-acre property is on the west side of the East Trail between WoodSpring Suites Naples West extended-stay hotel and the Sunrise Motel property. Named on various site development plans as both Fifth Avenue Express Car Wash and

to have a little bit more cash coming in so you’re not only relying on your investments and Social Security.”

Women’s particular financial challenges make financial security not just a goal but a necessity, especially as traditional planning often falls short.

“I think of financial empowerment as having the knowledge, the ability and the resources to make and understand financial choices that are needed,” Margaret “Maggie” McMorrow, senior vice president, wealth services at The Naples Trust Co., said, “to reach your individual goals.”

Knowledge is often the first hurdle. A 2022 study by the TIAA Institute and Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center found that women often score lower than men on financial literacy assessments, particularly in investing, retirement planning and risk management. A 2021 Fidelity Investments study found that while only 33% of women feel confident making investment decisions, 67% actually manage their household’s day-to-day finances, suggesting the issue is often one of perceived confidence, not actual ability.

McMorrow

That gap can lead to hesitation — or worse, avoidance.

(More than 61% of women would rather talk about their own death than discuss money, according to 2018 Merrill Lynch and Age Wave research.) But with the right tools, confidence follows.

The Great Wealth Transfer, set to move trillions of dollars across generations over the next few decades, presents both a challenge and an opportunity. “It’s been calculated that women will inherit approximately 70% of those assets over the next 25 years,” McMorrow said.

Managing this wealth wisely will be critical as it shifts into women’s hands. Without the proper foundation, inherited assets can feel more like a burden than a blessing. Programs such as Wisdom of Women, to be conducted by McMorrow and The Naples Trust Co. President Billie Porter this summer, offer women the chance to build that foundation

through estate and financial planning tools tailored to their needs.

Achieving financial independence often begins with early education and consistent habits.

Edwards underscored the need for long-term thinking: “You need to think about a retirement budget just as much as when you start,” she said. “The later you start, the tougher retirement’s going to be.”

She acknowledged the financial pressures facing young adults today. “Things are so much more expensive than they were; it’s really an affordability issue,” she said. Still, she emphasized the power of habit. “Even if it’s just $10 a paycheck you start to put away, it just becomes natural,” she said. “It gives you the ability to really start saving for when you want to buy your first house or start a family — because here in Collier County, the cost of daycare is extremely expensive.”

For women starting their financial journeys, Edwards recommended combining strategy with community: “Strategically network, whether it’s health care or banking. Join women’s networks.” These connections can offer support and insight when navigating complex decisions.

The southern side of Home Depot’s narrow property borders the Marco Naples RV Resort, whose residents have been vocal about the loud noises and thick clouds of dust created by earthmovers clearing the previously undeveloped land.

Preparedness for emergencies is also key. Edwards suggested having a money market fund, not in the stock market, for unexpected costs such as damage after Hurricane Ian. Small savings can also add up when switching insurance providers. “Don’t just take the quote from your current agent, shop it around,” she said.

Women in the U.S. live nearly six years longer than men on average, according to 2021 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That means planning for loss, caregiving or divorce is just as important as planning for retirement.

“These things are often sudden,” McMorrow said. And that’s where experts come in. “We can help her prepare a realistic budget, help her review her income and her expenses,” and connect with her other advisors, such as an estate planning attorney or certified public accountant.

With support through budgeting, strategic planning and trusted networks, women in Collier County can continue redefining what financial security looks like on their terms as they enter their next chapters.

Pine Street Car Wash, the new construction will include a morethan-3,000-square-foot singletunnel car wash on the eastern edge of the property, according to documents filed with Collier County Growth Management. The real estate was acquired for $1.5 million in November 2023 by East Trail Management LLC, county property records show.

That limited liability company is managed by North Naples residents Diane Calabrese and John Varela, state records show.

Varela and Calabrese have other joint ventures owning commercial properties where many car washes have been built in Collier County. The partnership’s properties include car wash projects in East Naples, North Naples and Golden Gate Estates, business records show.

Springs Plaza update

Q: Do you know if another gym will be going into the previous Esporta gym at 8951 Bonita Beach Road SE, Suite 560, Bonita Springs? – Walter K., Naples

A: Athletica Health & Fitness plans to open a new gym by the end of this year in the former space of Esporta and LA Fitness on the southern end of Springs Plaza, the retail center on the southeast corner of U.S. 41 and Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. The vacated space is being built out now. Athletica members will have unlimited 24-hour access to the fitness center. Perks include group exercise classes, child care, a sauna and steam room, a pool, a spa, hydro massage, training programs and a Fit3D body scanner. Athletica also has an East Naples location in the Countryside Shoppes at 4019 Santa Barbara Blvd.

Also in Springs Plaza, Ross Dress for Less launched March 8 in the former space of Goodwill. Pop Onigiri, a Japanese restaurant specializing in ramen, sushi and teppanyaki-style rice bowls, is coming soon to the former longtime unit of Rosati’s Pizza.

The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim. aten@naplespress.com.

KC American Bistro charts new course

By Tim Aten tim.aten@naplespress.com

After more than 15 years in North Naples, KC American Bistro is charting a new course under new ownership as Amber Cove.

Tim Herman, the new owner of the restaurant, is a seasoned hospitality veteran with more than 40 years of leadership at luxury properties such as LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, The Inn on Fifth, Caesars Palace and The Venetian Las Vegas. In early May, Herman launched Amber Cove, a fine-dining restaurant that blends modern coastal cuisine with global influences.

Amber Cove transforms the space in The Pavilion retail center where Chef-owner Keith Casey served a loyal following with his KC American Bistro since June 2009. Casey said he needed a break, so the timing was right for him to sell his longtime restaurant at 885 Vanderbilt Beach Road.

KC American Bistro

After seeing an erosion of business during a trying time recently for many local dining spots, Casey listed his restaurant for sale in December.

“I just got lucky that I was in the right place at the right time and I could sell it so quickly,” he said. “Usually it takes six to eight months to sell a business. Tim was looking and the price was right, so everything lined up.” Herman said he fell in love with the restaurant in early January and purchased it March 7 because of its great reputation and loyal following. The new owner operated it under a management agreement as KC American Bistro until May 1.

Although Casey sold his namesake restaurant, he still has a personal passion to be a restaurateur. He was amazed at the number of people wondering if and when he would be opening another establishment.

“I’ll do something in the future, for sure,” he said. “I’m going to take the summer off and decide what that’s going to look like, where it’s going to be. I’m kind of 50% in Naples, but I’m also looking to do

other markets like Miami, maybe Fort Lauderdale — something less seasonal. I’ll land somewhere. I don’t know when and where.”

Casey said consistency has been the key to pleasing KC American Bistro’s guests, who always appreciated his personable hospitality.

“We never tried to reinvent the wheel, so to speak, and fool around with a lot of food science and things

of that sort,” he said. “We just tried to provide the best ingredients that we could get and stay very consistent in what we did.”

Amber Cove

While KC American Bistro celebrated cuisine throughout the regions of the United States, its successor will broaden its focus to international flavors and coastal influences.

“The reality is there are still a few KC American Bistro items on the menu, but we’re going to be phasing those out over the next couple of days,” Herman said. “I would say it’s 85% a new menu, and the new menu in its entirety is posted on OpenTable, if you want to take a look at it.”

Herman does plan to keep KC’s mushroom soup, which was the most popular item, he said. That

will be authentic to its original recipe, but other items at Amber Cove may be similar to Casey’s creations although prepared differently.

“We’re going to have the grouper and the miso sea bass, but they’re our versions rather than his versions,” Herman said.

“Our cuisine is really going to be contemporary, fresh. We’re using whole fish where we can and we’re filleting it ourselves, so it’s fresher.”

Amber Cove’s kitchen is led by Chef Jehad Alsharabini, who has created a new menu comprised of seasonal, sea-to-table ingredients creating dishes with modernist techniques and culinary fusion influences, Herman said.

Entrees include Miso Glazed Chilean Seabass with cauliflower mousse, couscous, yuzu dashi and confit wild mushrooms; Faroe Islands Salmon paired with Sicilian eggplant caponata and confit baby potatoes; and Mediterranean Spiced Lamb Chops complemented by citrussumac crust, parsnip mousse, layered potato pave and black currant sweet-and-sour glaze.

The interior of the restaurant has been painted navy blue and is decked out in a nautical theme.

“It’s an extremely elevated elegance to the restaurant now,” Herman said.

The the new name charts a fresh start for “a comfortable, tranquil restaurant in paradise,” Herman said.

“I was looking for something to subtly depict the cuisine that we are,” he said. “Amber is a celebration of or paying homage to our nightly sunsets here in paradise. Cove is really an indication that we’re connected to the coast.”

Launching the restaurant checks off an item on Herman’s bucket list.

“Literally speaking, it’s been a passion all my life,” he said. “Even though I was managing hotels and resorts, I was very involved in the food and beverage side.”

The restaurant’s exterior signage will not be changed for six to eight weeks, but Amber Cove is now open for dinner 4-9 p.m. daily.

Luxury home market thrives

By David Dorsey david.dorsey@naplespress.com

Typical ebbs and flows of the single-family home real estate market do not have much of an effect on the ultra high-end luxury home market, with Exhibits A and B proving just that in Naples.

For three years, the sales price record for a single-family home in Naples held at $62 million.

Then, in an early-April span of three days this year, with the volume of single-family homes on the market trending upward and prices trending downward, the sales price record fell twice.

It fell first April 14, when billionaire David Hoffmann paid $85 million for a 17,200-square-foot Port Royal home on Naples Bay. Hoffmann, who owns more than 70 companies, as well as Hertz Arena, the Florida Everblades minor league hockey team and the Florida Weekly newspaper chain, enlisted Naples real estate agent Tim Savage of Gulf Coast International Properties five years ago to help him find his dream home.

When Savage arrived to meet with Gulfshore Business to discuss the state of the luxury home market, he arrived in a Porsche, wearing a bespoke suit and McLaren watch, pulling into the driveway of 2999 Rum Row, another bayfront Port Royal home he has listed on the market at a mere $29.9 million.

“The top of the line really sets the bar and the standard for what’s to come in the marketplace,” said Savage, who has a weekend hobby of driving race cars. “You have several factors at play. But I think at the end of the day, there’s a little bit of a flight to safety in terms of tangible assets, hard assets. And in a place where I think we’re one of the best places to live in America. To have the lifestyle that we have here, the level of construction that we have here, there’s nowhere else in the U.S. you’d rather live.”

The luxury home market isn’t necessarily immune to recessions or rising interest rates, Savage said.

“But it’s more resilient and resistant. The majority of the purchases here are going to be cash. So, for them, it’s really just an asset to put in a portfolio, where they’re parking cash. And obviously the appreciation here historically is fantastic.

“So, it’s an investment for them, and they’re not as subject to interest

SALES

rate fluctuations necessarily on the purchase. But you know eventually, it’s kind of a trickle-up effect. And it will affect their portfolio and their investments, and it may impact their decisions.”

Soon after, the price record didn’t just fall again; it shattered when an undisclosed buyer paid $225 million for a six-bedroom, 14.5-bathroom, 8,846-square-foot home, according to the home’s original listing off Gordon Drive. The price included two other properties flanking the main residence and about 800 feet of combined beachfront.

The buyer, seeking privacy, hired Naples attorney Kevin Coleman of Coleman, Yovanovich & Koester, to handle the transaction as a trustee for the buyer of record: Kevin Coleman Trust.

“Fifteen pristine acres of Naples beach is certainly a legacy property,” Coleman said. “Our policy is to protect client confidentiality.”

The deed, a public record, showed the one-buyer acquisition had three different sellers: 2200 Gordon Drive sold for $133,177,500 from Westbury

Properties Florida; 2170 Gordon Drive sold for $44,910,000 from Megan Park Limited; and 2340 Gordon Drive sold for $46,912,500 from Jesse’s Goodluck South Limited.

Real estate agent Michael McCumber and Anthony Caraballo of The McCumber Group at Gulf Coast International Properties brokered the deal.

“It’s been an honor to facilitate this extraordinary transaction,” McCumber said. “With four decades of experience in Port Royal, I’m proud to continue shaping the future of this community — always upholding our emphasis on discretion, professionalism and integrity.”

Hoffmann said he looked at both that property and a remaining legacy piece of property at Gordon Pointe. The southernmost point of Port Royal remains on the market.

‘A mariner’s dream’

Originally listed at $295 million, the agents are focusing on selling the beachfront property first, at $210 million.

The property at 100 Bay Road

Week of May 5-9

Avlis Enterprises LLC purchased 1,065 square feet of commercial space at 1430 Rail Head Blvd., Suite 114, in North Naples from Neil Laquidara & Emily Laquidara for $305,000. Christine McManus, CCIM, SIOR, and Shawn McManus of Investment Properties Corp. represented the buyer, and Doug Olson with Trinity Commercial Group represented the seller.

LEASES

Trainyard Tech LLC leased a 10,120-square-foot industrial space in Collier Park of Commerce, at 2900 Horseshoe Drive S., units 500-700, in Naples from Helios Colliers LLC. Dave Wallace, CCIM, SIOR, and David Wallace of CRE Consultants represented the lessor and lessee.

David Lawrence Mental Health Center Inc. re-leased a 2,964-square-foot office building at 5266 Golden Gate Parkway in Golden Gate from Frank Forr LLC. Matt Stepan, CCIM, and WT Pearson of Premier Commercial Inc. represented the lessor and lessee.

Dunmire Development Studio One LLC dba Sugaring LA leased 1,470 square feet of retail space at 6345 Naples Blvd., Suite A-2, in North Naples from Shelbourne Towers LP. Tara L. Stokes of Investment Properties

and lessee.

has almost 800 feet of beachfront. Owned and developed by the late Jack Donahue, founding owner of mutual fund company Federated Investors, the property has two houses on it now, one of which President George H.W. Bush once stayed in.

Listing agent Dawn McKenna of Dawn McKenna Group and Coldwell Banker Realty said the eventual buyer likely will choose to tear it down and rebuild the 5-acre lot with a blank canvas.

A buyer could buy the combined 9 acres, as well, at the full price of $295 million.

“Because it’s a big circle,” McKenna said. “It’s 9 acres that’s completely surrounded by water. Half is bay, half is beach. There’s nothing quite like it in the entire United States because there’s a 231-foot-long yacht basin. Inevitably, if a buyer wants it, they can have a huge family compound. They can park their 200-foot yacht in their basin and walk to their house and then be right on the beach. It’s a very unique property. It’s a mariner’s dream.

“There are only a select few who can purchase and own a property like Gordon Pointe.”

Hoffmann is one of those select few. He said he looked at the other two properties, but his $85 million purchase fit his needs and those of his family. He did not want to deal with the hassles of construction.

Newbury North, a Naples company, took care of that for the original owner.

“We have 13 grandkids,” Hoffmann said. “It’s difficult to find a place that can accommodate 13 grandkids and all the family members to come to one spot. That’s something we had been looking for, for the past four or five years. We had pretty much given up.

“I said, ‘Gosh, if I were ever to build a house, it would be that one.’ Lo and behold, personal circumstances required him to depart. His broker called and said, ‘Hey, do you want to look at this thing?’ I went in and looked at it.” Savage called it the nicest home he’d ever been in.

“Ever,” he said. It ended up being the highest-priced home he’s ever sold, too.

“More rewarding than that, though, was finding the property that fit them perfectly, that technically wasn’t on the market,” Savage said. “That’s probably the best part

More chains likely in store for Collier

With each issue of  The Naples Press that includes a real estate page, we will ask real estate professionals questions about issues of the day. For this edition, we spoke with Ed Larsen, an associate with LQ Commercial Real Estate Services.

Q: Are more national retailers on the horizon in Collier County?

A: Collier County’s commercial real estate landscape is seeing strong interest from national chains, creating new competitive dynamics for local restaurants.

While securing second-generation spaces can be complex, independent operators bring creativity and adaptability that position them well to navigate key challenges.

National chains possess substantial advantages:

• Robust financial backing

• Ability to absorb higher lease costs

• Sophisticated real estate acquisition teams

• Standardized buildout capabilities

• Proven sales performance metrics

Local restaurants face severe challenges:

• Conservative capital positions

• Evolving negotiation approaches

• Higher buildout investment requirements

• More complex permitting processes

• Greater financial risk tolerance needed

Local restaurateurs face an increasingly challenging landscape. Without comparable financial resources, independent operators will continue to lose ground to well-capitalized national brands who strategically position themselves for these limited available spaces.

Landlords prioritize tenants with proven financial stability, predictable revenue models and lower default risks. Chains and emerging fast-casual concepts can quickly evaluate, acquire and activate second-generation spaces.

Warrior Homes of Collier receives $50K grant

The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Warrior Homes of Collier to aid the nonprofit’s efforts to provide supportive housing for senior veterans.

ily homes leased from Collier County that opened earlier this year. Alpha House, a short-term, transitional residence for those in recovery from substance use disorders, was the organization’s first housing initiative to open back in 2020.

Naples real estate market becomes buyer’s market

Brokers reviewing the March market report from the Naples Area Board of Realtors agree that the Naples area housing market has become a buyer’s market, as reflected in a 36.1% increase in overall inventory to 7,483 properties during the month. Overall closed sales decreased 9.3% year over year to 820 closed sales. Even with 3,305 price decreases reported during March — the highest on record — overall pending sales decreased 7.3% to 1,212. Inventory levels have exceeded pre-pandemic levels. With more options for buyers to consider, days on the market for March increased 26.5% to 86 days. In addition, the 5.1% increase in new listings to 1,617 new listings pushed the market to an 11.4-month supply of inventory, compared to 7.7 months in March 2024.

Mental health crisis deepens in Collier

By Melanie Pagan

The signs of a deepening crisis are subtle: a caregiver overwhelmed, a child withdrawn in class, a family forced to choose between food and a co-pay. Florida ranks among the worst states for mental health care access in 2025, grappling with high costs and a shortage of treatment centers, according to Forbes Advisor. In Collier County, the gap is widening. Demand is rising, but local services are limited, costs remain high and the support systems are under increasing pressure.

“Our health care system is complicated,” said Beth Hatch, CEO of NAMI Collier. “We go in, we sign in, we pay our co-pay and most of those appointments are rushed.”

It’s even more difficult for families navigating the mental health system on behalf of children. With few providers and little time allotted per patient, Hatch said some children are seen by clinicians who simply don’t have the capacity to get to the root of it.

“When you have to see so many patients a day, you’re not being able to get to the big picture,” she said. “And mental health, we still have a stigma, right? Not everybody just says, ‘Hello, nice to meet you,’ and spills their whole story. You have to build that relationship.”

NAMI Collier provides crucial services free of charge, including early intervention, family support groups and home visits, with a focus on children. However, sustaining this model in an underfunded state is a challenge.

“Our budget is $3 million, and $1.1 million comes from federal funding,” Hatch said. “We hope that everything continues to meet the needs that we have.”

Kids Minds Matter, managed by the Lee Health Foundation and associated with Golisano Children’s Hospital, also works to address the pediatric mental health crisis. Through its Mental Health Navigator Program, the organization helps families navigate the system, schedule appointments and coordinate care. But insurance issues persist.

“It’s a challenge finding providers in this community that will take insurance,” said Anne Frazier, system director of development for the Lee Health Foundation and lead for Kids Minds Matter.

ing,” Lopez said. “It’s just not as full, not as condensed as we’ve seen in previous years.”

In Collier County, low Medicaid reimbursement rates and a lack of participating providers make it difficult for residents with Medicaid to receive timely care. Even those with insurance often face high co-pays and limited sessions.

The situation is exacerbated by Florida’s growing population, which strains the already limited resources. As demand increases, families often face long waits for services, which are essential for early intervention.

David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health serves 13,000 people needing mental health and substance abuse care annually through prevention and education programs. Its CEO, Scott Burgess, highlighted the growing concerns over rising rates of depression and anxiety.

“Those are two major issues that have grown pretty exponentially here, and that’s across the different age spectrum, as well,” he said.

And among different demographics, as mental health issues do not discriminate.

Hope lies in new initiatives, such as Florida’s mobile response program, which brings mental health professionals to community

members in crisis.

“This program was initiated about three years ago, and just this year, Collier County finally received its own team, thanks to the advocacy of Sen. Passidomo,” Burgess said. “It’s just one example of how we’re trying to fill gaps and meet the growing demand for services.”

Despite these strides, the need for additional resources remains urgent, such as public support including Southwest Florida’s Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar’s and its three-month initiative to raise money for NAMI Collier via a charity cocktail fundraiser currently running through June 30.

“Almost everyone knows someone who struggles with mental health challenges,” said Alex Rudolph, executive vice president of Tapco Restaurant Group, which owns the Naples Tap 42. And in Collier County, those struggles are becoming harder to ignore. As local nonprofits stretch to meet growing needs and new programs take root, providers suggest the solution will require sustained investment, policy change and a community willing to prioritize care before crisis.

“All of us have a role that we can play in recognizing the warning signs and symptoms, and maybe being able to be a connector for a child or family,” Frazier said.

in the amount of expenditures visitors are putting out.

“They may be coming down for shorter stays in our hotels. They may be deferring to simpler meals or home-bought meals as opposed to restaurants for sit-down meals in our markets.”

Lopez said the FRLA started seeing that trend in August 2024, and noted that group travel, such as industry groups or corporate groups, “were not booked out as far in advance as we would have liked to have seen for season.

“We continue to see that same trend: Travel is still happening, bookings are still happen-

Challenges to tourism in the Florida Legislature

And while the hospitality industry in SWFL is already dealing with lower tourism numbers, during the regular session of the Florida Legislature the House passed Bill 7033 that would eliminate the 62 Tourist Development Councils across the state and limit the way some counties can spend their Tourist Development Tax — commonly called “bed tax” — revenue.

The TDT is a tax on all hotel, campground and vacation rentals for stays of six months or fewer. Under the proposed legislation, a county must spend at least 40% of all TDT revenue, but no more than $50 million annually, to promote or advertise tourism before using revenue for public facilities, including transportation.

As Gulfshore Business previously report-

ed, in Charlotte, Collier and Lee counties the TDT rate is 5% and none of these counties has reached $50 million in TDT revenues for the previous and current fiscal years.

The legislation was proposed as part of property tax relief efforts, but the regular session ended without a budget resolution. A special session of the Legislature started during the week of May 12 and must end by June 6, and Lopez said the FRLA is closely monitoring next steps.

Lopez said he believed that potential dissolution of TDCs and redirection of tourist development dollars to offset property taxes would, “simply by the fact that it is not an unlimited pot of money,” wipe out local tourism promotion.

“There are parts of House Bill 7033, which is called the tax package, that would be harmful to TDTs and TDCs across the state,” Lopez said. “We are cautiously optimistic that there is no appetite for matching legislation and matching tax-applicable legislation in the

in Port Royal is pretty strong, I think. Naples is a very, very unique place to live.

of that sale.”

Savage and Hoffmann crunched the numbers. Savage said Hoffmann got a great price, because not even factoring the price of the raw land, building a house that size at the current rate of about $3,500 per square foot would amount to more than $60 million.

“Tim and I agreed you could not come close to building this house, as crazy as that number is, for what we paid for it,” Hoffmann said. “That helped immensely with my decision to buy it.” Buying means Hoffmann also needs to sell the property on which his old house sat. He enlisted Bill Earls of John R. Wood Properties to sell it, listed at $49.9 million.

“That’s the other part of the equation,” Hoffmann said. “We’ve only had it for sale for a week. We’ve had four or five showings. We’re supposed to get an offer this week. The market down here

“I wanted to be on the water — its proximity to downtown. Its proximity to the restaurants. I’m a tennis player, so I use that and the workout center almost daily. You get to know people easily. Everybody maintains their properties to the highest standards. You really feel like part of a close-knit community in Port Royal. It’s like stepping back in time to the way things used to be.”

But Naples won’t be the way it used to be. It continues to evolve, with a new Port Royal clubhouse under construction, as well as a Four Seasons resort and nearby Ritz-Carlton-branded residences, which will continue the mystique of the area’s elite residential real estate status, Savage said.

“The next two to four, maybe five years, it’s going to be interesting to see,” Savage said. “It’s going to all be extremely high-quality and well-managed growth.

“Naples is built out. All we have is redevelopment now. I think that bodes well for our lifestyle, going forward.”

Senate. Hopefully that stays true through the special session to reach a balanced budget; we hope — for right now — that we have the appropriate support in the Senate and in the executive branch that current operations of TDTs and TDCs will not be affected.”

Park said the Naples Chamber is also closely monitoring the legislation and keeping its members informed.

“We’re not going to take our foot off the gas, and we’re making sure that our membership is aware,” she said. “We’re in constant contact with our legislators to make sure they understand on behalf of the business community: It is not just the tourism community that cares about this issue.

“Destination marketing is critically important. Hospitality is our number one industry and doing what we need to do to support that is crucial to the quality of life for Floridians.”

The CVB will present the March tourism numbers, the latest available, to the Collier County TDC on May 20.

page 9A

Collier County’s demographic trends accelerate this shift. Growing population, increased tourism and rising affluence create ideal conditions for national restaurant concepts. Areas such as Naples Park, Pine Ridge and Immokalee Road corridor become prime targets for chain expansion.

This evolving environment underscores the importance of strategic guidance. Partnering with an experienced retail tenant representative can give independent operators the insights, access and leverage needed to compete effectively — turning market complexity into opportunity.

Ed Larsen started his real estate career as a commercial real estate appraiser in 2021. He can be reached at elarsen@lqcre.com or 239.275.4922.

Ongoing events

Everglades exhibition

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon-4 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 21 at The Baker Museum, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. “Entangled in the Mangroves: Florida Everglades Through Installation” features the work of nine Florida-based artists who explore the critical importance of the Everglades through diverse media. $10, $5 students or full-time military with ID, $1 for SNAP benefits visitors. artisnaples.org or 239.252.2611

Those historic little homes

9 a.m.-4 p.m. TuesdaysSaturdays through June 7 at the Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 S. Heathwood Drive, Marco Island. Marco Island Historical Society presents “The Florida House,” a trip back in time to 1960s Marco Island. See the homes the Mackle Brothers envisioned as the latest and greatest Florida architecture for Marco. Free. colliermuseums.com

‘Eternally Curious’

9 a.m.-5 p.m. through June 29 at Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Tanya Trinkaus Glass displays her garden-centered artwork in an exhibition. The event is free for members and included with garden admission ($27 for nonmembers). naplesgarden.org or 239.643.7275

Cunningham & McCabe exhibition

Various times through Aug. 3 at Naples Art Institute, 585 Park Street, Naples. Photographs showcased from Imogen Cunningham and Robert McCabe that reflect nature and its beauty. $10 for members and $15 for non-members. naplesart.org or 239.262.6517

CALENDAR

Fazio will be displayed through the month of June. There will be a reception at 5:30 p.m. June 10. Free admission. marcoislandart.org

‘Prodigal Son’

HOT TICKET

8

flatable-5k-naples

7:30 p.m. May 22-23 at Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. There’s a star-spangled concert coming up from the Naples Philharmonic, with Manuel López-Gómez, conductor; Ben Davis, vocalist; and the Naples Philharmonic Chorus and Youth Chorus, Jeffrey Warner and Barbara Sletto, directors. The program features works by American composers such as John Philip Sousa, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin and more, with melodies paying tribute to the musical heritage of the U.S. and honoring those who have given their lives for its freedom. $29-$67. artisnaples.org or 239.597.1900

Various times through June 1 at Joan Jenks Auditorium in the Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples. Written by John Patrick Shanley, who wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning play, Doubt, Prodigal Son was born from his own experience as he tells the story of a young man on the verge of salvation or destruction. $35. thestudioplayers. org or 239.398.9192

This weekend (May 16-18)

Inflatable 5K

8 a.m. and after on May 17 at Paradise Coast Sports Complex, 3940 City Gate Blvd., Naples. See Hot Ticket.

Festival Comunitario/ Community Festival

10 a.m.-2 p.m., May 17 at Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch, 1215 Roberts Ave., Immokalee. A celebration of food, gardening and community. Students will present community food maps they’ve created and lead a cooking demonstration, while handing out free plants and recipe cards. Enjoy outdoor plantthemed games, a local food vendor and connecting with community members and organizations. The event is presented in collaboration with the Naples Botanical Garden and Cultivate Abundance. Free. colliermuseums.com or 239.252.2611

Family survival skills Drop in between 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

May 17 at Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Trail E., Naples. You’ve heard it’s a jungle out there, but what happens when you have to live in it? A Survival Skills Family Day offers essential knowledge for outdoor existence, whether it’s on a daytime hike or roughing it with overnight camping. Learn what a Bushcraft kit is, how to forage through the woods, tie different knots and identify scat. All ages welcome, but best for ages 5-12. colliermuseums. com or 239.252.8476

Naples Jazz Society concert

1-3 p.m. May 17 and 31 at Norris Community Center, 755 Eighth Ave. S. , Naples. Some light and lively jazz from the Naples Jazzmasters brings both familiar standards and some forgotten gems. Freewill offerings accepted. thenaplesjazzsociety.com

Journey Through the Americas

7 p.m. May 17 at Cambier Park bandshell, 755 Eighth St. S., Naples. Gulfshore Opera, with the support of the Collier Community Foundation, features the GO Divas vocal ensemble joined by the GO harmony choir and youth and the Cuban jazz trio Latin Infusion. They’ll perform American classics by Bob Dylan and James Taylor, as well as renditions of Latin favorites such as “Guantanamera” and “Oye como va.” gulfshoreopera.org or 239.529.3925

Special botanical garden day

9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 18 at Naples Botanical Gardens, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Enjoy a day in the Garden with live music by Karibbean Groove at noon and 2:30 p.m., a special AfroCaribbean dance performance and instruction by Fya Vybz Studios, family-friendly activities and

cultural presentations from local organizations celebrating the meaning and heritage of Haitian Flag Day. Fogg Café will offer a specialty drink, passion fruit juice, available only at this event. Lawn chairs are permitted; admission is free to all. naplesgarden.org or 239.643.7275

Next week (May 19-22)

Patriotic Pops Concert

7:30 p.m. May 22-23 at Artis— Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. See Featured item.

Next weekend (May 23-25)

Water lily pond walk

9:30-11 a.m. May 23 at Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Discover how to capture your experiences in nature with your smartphone camera, then wade into the Water Garden for an up-close-and-personal view of the garden’s waterlilies with the curator of special collections. Beginners will get a crash course in macro photography and learn about the waterlily collection from Garden experts. $65 members/$85 non-members; reservations online. naplesgarden.org or 239.643.7275

Double blues dose

7 p.m. May 23 at Norris Community Center, 755 Eighth Ave. S., Naples. Albert Castiglia — three-time Blues Music Award winner — and blues/rock recording artist Alex Lopez and his band The Xpress with their British-infused blues rock along with pop and funk. $30 advance, $35 day of show; $40 VIP seating in front with gift bag. maremilticketspice.com or 360.878.3474.

ON STAGE

‘Prodigal’ explores return to fold

By J.C. Amodea

The final show of The Studio Players’ 12th season is The Prodigal Son a drama by award-winning American playwright John Patrick Shanley. It’s a testament to his storytelling prowess, as noted by Scott Lilly, the theatre group’s CEO and co-founder.

“After staging his Pulitzer Prize-winning Doubt: A Parable last year, we were drawn back to Shanley’s work for its profound exploration of human complexity and moral ambiguity,” Lilly said. “This play, with its raw emotion and unflinching honesty, perfectly aligns with our mission to present theater that challenges and moves audiences.”

Considered a “memory play,” it serves as a window into the playwright’s past struggles and eventual triumphs. The play is presented through the lens and voice of the chief protagonist, Jim Quinn, adeptly played by Landon Libbey, the show’s star.

What makes the play compelling is that it smacks of realism in the portrayal of a tortured but gifted teen. Quinn is, in a broad sense, banished (even though he earns a scholarship) to the confines of a small Catholic prep school in New Hampshire, a far cry from the south Bronx street life to which he was accustomed and in which held sway. He tries maneuvering his way using his wits with his peers, teachers and a kindly headmaster, ever operating on the edge of his bad boy persona. According to director Kevin Hendricks, audiences will connect with the play’s undertones, alluding to Vietnam, Massachusetts, a prep school and experiences common to a Catholic education.

The play’s title, The Prodigal Son references the biblical account found in Luke 15:11-32. It mirrors the parable of a son who leaves his father’s home, squanders his inheritance and then returns, repentant, to his father’s open arms. The play echoes the essence of this parable, with Quinn navigating life on his terms, and encountering disillusionment and disingenuous adults who care little about their craft or him, before eventually seeing the light.

School headmaster Carl Schmitt, played by Brett Marston, represents authority and discipline, albeit in a caring manner, while English professor Alan Hoffman, played by Brian Muniz, is more empathetic. Both work in their ways to throw a lifeline to the troubled but gifted teen.

Still, the onus is on Quinn to either grasp it or fall headfirst into an abyss of self-pity and ruin. No spoilers here. Well-pleased with his cast, Lilly noted that actor Marston has also directed six shows with The Studio Players.

“Not only is this Landon’s debut performance at The Studio Players, but it is a first for Gavin Ott (who plays Quinn’s roommate, Austin Schmitt), Muniz and Amy Saad, who plays Louise Schmitt,” added Lilly.

We chatted with Libbey and Hendricks about behind-the-scene character execution and the play’s dynamics.

Kevin Hendricks, director

Directing for a decade, Hendricks identifies the play’s central themes as complex and intertwined.

“It’s a combination of Quinn’s relationship with the other characters, and if you understand the biblical prodigal son story as redemption, you’re likely going to see that here,” Hendricks said.

“The underlying theme focuses on the personas we put on or the false people we pretend to be. You’ll see this young man trying to find himself and figure out who he is. He is well-regarded by the staff, who are overwhelmingly fascinated with him because he presents himself as real, without pretense.”

Hendricks is tasked with bringing the characters to life with his direction, and drew from his past — similar in many ways to that of Quinn, the key that adds realism to the

multi-layered production. Hendricks admitted to being in trouble from kindergarten through high school — not to the extent that Quinn portrays via fighting and drinking, but mainly due to “running his mouth,” which he said was unstoppable.

“I almost did not graduate,” Hendricks said. “I had to sign a last-chance agreement to avoid trouble or forfeit graduation. I had no tolerance for the uncaring teachers, and I battled them.

I was hard-headed and headstrong, but I earned good grades like Quinn, so I understand where he’s coming from.

At one point, one teacher reached out with genuine concern; it changed my world, and I started to learn.” So, too, as the play unfolds, does Quinn make life-altering decisions.

Hailing Libbey as a natural for pulling off a part that is “complicated and involved,” Hendricks noted the actor “masterfully interacts with the headmaster and professor and allows them to reach out to him in their roles at times, as good guy, bad guy, with things not as they seem.

“I told Libbey that the play is an opportunity of a lifetime,” he said. “It is a dramatic role steeped with emotion that must be expressed. He didn’t back out — he had confidence.”

As far as staging, Hendricks remarked that as a low-budget community theatre with limited stagehands to make scene changes and manage props, he had to double up to make the five sets work differently, scene to scene, and to fit those elements onto a 13 x 27-foot stage. He achieved his goals, and credited that creative aspect of his work to his passion for directing.

“It’s a challenge because you know where you want to get, but it’s not always the same route because it’s with different people, with different levels of ability,” Hendricks said. “It is community theater and not professional theatre, and you have to know how to communicate with people in a certain way. I believe that the show is always only as good as your weakest link.”

While his work may be frustrating

at points, and he needs to call on his prowess to present the play as smoothly as possible, it is highly rewarding. “I love it when I see an actor get better at acting or when somebody comes up to them and tells them how their performance affected them or how it made them feel; they are going to get hooked, and that makes me feel great.”

Landon Libbey discovered The actor’s “discovery” by Lilly was serendipitous.

“Who knew when I was attending an event at The Naples Players, we’d find the perfect actor to play Jim Quinn tending bar?” Lilly said. “I knew Landon was an actor, but wasn’t sure if he’d do other roles than musicals. We set up an audition. He had the looks and energy I was looking for, but the lingering question was, ‘Could this kid act?’ That question was answered as he gave a knockout performance. “Landon’s raw talent and dedication are exactly the spark that elevates this production. The fact that he’s already making waves promises an exciting future, and we can’t wait to see how he continues to grow and inspire on stage.”

Indeed, exuding confidence and a measure of self-awareness and control, Libbey is poised to make a name for himself and has the acting chops to back it up.

Libbey on playing Quinn

“My character has many layers,” Libbey said. “He yearns to be a part of something and to feel loved. I create my character’s backstories to understand who he is and what he is feeling. Most challenging is getting into his head to feel his emotions, and most difficult is transforming into this super-smart kid from whom I am learning a lot.”

Libbey asserted that Quinn dislikes authority and being controlled, and doesn’t trust anyone. Even his peers pick on him because of his Bronx accent, which accounts for the number of fights he gets into — born of the baggage he brings to the prep school.

As for the actor’s memorization techniques, he eschews reading with anyone.

“I like to look into a mirror and see myself saying the lines; I also write them out and do recordings,” he added. Libbey said he feels “pretty well locked in” to his role, and since he has a measure of freedom to play the part, he goes “above and beyond,” trusts the director and waits for him to dial it back.

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