Cape Coral EDO Connects with Community
The Cape Coral EDO staff is often out and about in the community, participating in public events such as tradeshows, conferences and expos designed to help businesses and entrepreneurs grow, relocate or get started. In late July, EDO Business Recruitment/Retention Specialist Nita Whaley and Business Development Specialist Karen Ramos represented the city at the 2nd
Annual SWFL Government Contracting Symposium & Expo held at Florida SouthWestern College. The event featured break-out sessions with featured speakers and informational booths.
Ramos says several attendees stopped by Cape Coral's table to find out "how our office's resources can help them. It was exciting to share with them the opportunities we have to help them." EDO regularly seizes the chance to "bring awareness to what the EDO does and how we can assist with startups, expansions and relocations," says Ramos.
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New Cape Coral Businesses
118
new businesses registered for Cape Coral
Business Licenses
in July 2017.
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Bonjour and Hallo:
Welcome Foreign Visitors
The season numbers are in from the Lee County Tourist Development Council and they paint a clear picture of the area's popularity. The winter and spring seasons combined drew more than 2.6 million visitors who spent an estimated $729.15 million during their vacations. Guess who is coming here? Canada and Germany have consistently landed in the top two countries for visitors from outside the United States. Domestically, Boston, New York, Chicago and Indianapolis ranked in the top 5 cities from which Lee County draws tourists for paid accommodations. Southwest Florida International Airport reported a 2 percent year-to-date increase in passenger traffic in June.
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Ten Years, New Look for Five Guys in the Cape
Five Guys has two locations in Cape Coral, and both are undergoing extensive renovations in preparation for their 10-year anniversary in the community.
Customers can expect modern interiors and furnishings, and a new menu item: milkshakes. Milkshakes are ordered the same way as the restaurant's popular burgers: Pay one price and name your custom toppings. The dozen shake-topping options include homemade-style peanut butter, Italian cherries, banana and strawberry purees, and chocolate and salted caramel from Ghirardelli.
"You could eat it with a spoon," says managing partner Dan Beaulieu.
The milkshakes slowly rolled out at other locations about a year and a half ago, but local franchisees Randy Martin and Beaulieu decided to incorporate the milkshake machines during the renovations.
Beaulieu and Martin have the franchise for Lee and Collier counties for 10 total locations. They opened their first two in Cape Coral in 2008 on Pine Island Road and Santa Barbara Boulevard. "The brand was strong, and the brand growth helped us sustain growth and excitement," says Beaulieu. At the time, there were only 200 stores; now there are 1,500 throughout the U.S. and abroad.
An outdoor dining patio is being added to the Santa Barbara location. Behind the scenes, a special power soaker is being installed to replace a tedious process that has made Five Guys' fresh-cut fries famous: rinsing all of the starch out of the potatoes before preparation.
The restaurant at 1860 N.E. Pine Island Road is expected to open by Sept. 7. The 2612 Santa Barbara Blvd. S.W. location will close Sept. 11 and is expected to open Sept. 28.
There won't be any fanfare. "We'll just open up and serve great shakes and great burgers," says Beaulieu, "and free peanuts, of course."
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See
You at BizChat!
4th Wednesday BizChat
Wednesday, Aug. 23
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Nicholas Annex
815 Nicholas Parkway
Cape Coral, FL 33990
Hosted by the Cape Coral EDO in partnership with FGCU's Small Business Development Center with participation from the Cape Chamber and a host of community partners.
This meeting offers existing and prospective business owners an opportunity to test their company elevator speech and learn how to fine-tune the message. Enjoy a free light lunch and hear a short educational message from a small business expert.
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Here Comes the Cake, Dressed in Awards
Kudos to LadyCakes Bakery in Cape Coral.
The family-owned bakery was honored in the 2017 The Knot Best of Weddings rankings of vendors in its category by the online wedding planning and marketplace site, The Knot. LadyCakes earned the ranking based on reviews by betrothed couples.
LadyCakes Bakery is owned by Bess and Jeff Charles, and is entering its third year in business. It has won three consecutive Best of Cape Coral awards since opening.
LadyCakes Bakery * 2924 Del Prado Blvd., Units 7 & 8, Cape Coral * 239-549-CAKE (2253) *
LadyCakes Bakery
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Contact Us
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Cape Coral Economic Development Office
Dana Brunett
Nita Whaley
Karen Ramos
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| Economic Development News |
Message From Your EDO Manager
A Wealth of Health
This month, our newsletter takes a closer look at a few of the many advancements we are making on the medical front in this community. These operations bring us much-needed programs and services, as well as good, well-paying jobs. This is an important sector for our economy and for all of our residents. We all want quality health care and I believe that Lee Health is providing just that, especially with new programs offered at the Cape Coral Wellness Center's Mind & Body Studio, which opened this month. We also have a solid network of assisted living facilities in our community with more on the way. Most recently, Palmview at Gulf Coast Village opened on Santa Barbara Boulevard. It looks inviting, and is filling a much-needed service.
Find out about Hallway Stories, an online site created by a Cape Coral resident that is a private, member-based online community offering a safe space for people to share their personal experiences with issues such as body image, mental health and cancer. A different type of locally owned business, Experience Family Chiropractic, is also highlighted this month.
Residents rely upon the skills and services provided by wellness and medical professionals on a daily basis and, as we grow, we'll need to add more medical-related businesses to support our growing population.
Sincerely,
Dana Brunett
City of Cape Coral
Economic Development Manager
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Free Talks, New Programs Prove Popular at Cape Coral Wellness Center
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Aug. 1 ribbon-cutting for Mind & Body Studio
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The Cape Coral Wellness Center has launched two new programs geared toward disease prevention.
Just three months into her new role as Lee Health's Health and Wellness Strategic Business Partner, Christin Collins is on a mission to help people learn how to live healthier, happier lives. "When I learned that 85 percent of chronic disease was reversible, I was amazed," says Collins. "That's why I am convinced the mind-body connection is so important."
On Aug. 1, Lee Health hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official opening of the Mind & Body Studio, which is designing a diverse menu of programs that go far beyond the original seven yoga classes previously offered here.
Certified instructors teach Hatha yoga, yogalates, strength and balance training, and a host of other mind and body activities starting as early as 5:45 a.m. Current Wellness Center members can participate in original class offerings, with an opportunity to take added Mind & Body classes at a discount. Non-members will have the opportunity to pay by the class, or for unlimited classes, without having to join the Wellness Center.
Another new program, the Healthy Life Series, introduced free talks to the public on wide-ranging topics-from yoga nidra as a solution for insomnia to pet health and nutrition. The talks proved popular. Collins recalls that the second talk in the series had 50 people R.S.V.P. for a meeting space that can comfortably seat 40. In November, construction begins to expand the space for 60 people.
In this movement to get more people active and healthy, more changes will be in the making, including weekly Wednesday visits from a hypnotherapist. "I tried this and found it to be life-changing," adds Collins.
Cape Coral Wellness Center
* 609 S.E. 13 Court * 239-424-3320
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Hallway Stories: Personal Struggles Lead to Online Support Community
Cape Coral resident Carey Ralston is launching an online forum called Hallway Stories to bring people together so they can share their struggles and successes with weight loss and body image, cancer and mental and behavioral health challenges. Ralston got the idea after moving to Cape Coral a couple of years ago, when she was overwhelmed by a slew of personal dilemmas. In addition to the changes she faced, she struggled to lose weight.
"I looked in the mirror and I felt horrible. It was emotional, mental and physical. I felt heavy every single day," recalls Ralston, adding, "I realized I wasn't the only one who felt alone."
Then she met Christin Collins, System Health & Wellness Strategic Business Partner for Lee Health. Their short meeting evolved into a deep conversation. Collins referred a weight-loss book to Ralston, who went on to lose 35 pounds. Ralston felt inspired by Collins' support. "I had to connect with someone, with her, to have that shift in my life," says Ralston, "and that's what we're doing with Hallway Stories.
We're a place to come and connect to someone you may not know, but they have been there and know what you're experiencing."
Studies show that loneliness is a serious but overlooked problem that manifests physically,
leading to pain and fatigue, and doctor visits.
Hallway Stories is a private, member-based community. Members can sign up to the secure site for free. The platform includes a "giveback model" through which group members can contribute to a nonprofit.
Ralston, who has a background in branding and marketing, says she moved to Cape Coral to launch a startup tech company, though she had not ever visited. She was inspired by the development of Cape Coral by the Rosen brothers not so long ago. "To start a town, that's a big feat. I was inspired by that entrepreneurial spirit and vision," she says.
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Experience Family Chiropractic: Natural Remedies for Optimal Health
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| Jazmin and Dr. Omar Clark |
Warm, friendly décor paired with a state-of-the-art check-in system make for an efficient, yet laid-back, atmosphere for patients visiting Experience Family Chiropractic.
Chiropractor Dr. Omar Clark sees patients, along with one chiropractic assistant, while his wife, Jazmin, manages the office. They are passionate in their belief that proper body function is an important pathway to optimal health. Their practice specializes in principled neurologically based care.
"We don't chase symptoms," says Omar. "We focus on function. We make sure everything functions at optimal health. When someone comes in with a symptom, we look for the root causes to correct it."
The office is instrument-based-a gentle, customized approach "with no twisting or cracking" involved. They also specialize in pregnancy and pediatric care.
"It's amazing to see kids heal without drugs," says Jazmin, who is expecting their third child. "Children's chiropractic adjustments are safe, gentle and effective. It's important to have your children checked as early as possible so they can have the opportunity to get the best start in life."
Pregnant moms get their own room with special accommodations that allow moms to relax and feel comfortable. Chiropractic care can promote structural balance and stability for an expectant mother, resulting in a more comfortable pregnancy.
Both Omar and Jazmin began networking in the Cape Coral business community many weeks in advance of their opening. The fruits of their labor were clear when more than 120 people showed up for the ribbon-cutting celebration on May 10. Experience Family Chiropractic officially opened on May 15, and has experienced steady growth ever since.
"Cape Coral is a large city with a small-town atmosphere that we really like," adds Omar. "It's a good place to build relationships and the city represents our tight-knit community."
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Lee Permitting Up in July
During July, contractors pulled 105 permits to build single-family houses collectively valued at about $23.3 million in unincorporated Lee County. That compares to 90 issued in July 2016, according to the Lee County Department of Community Development.
Also during July, 155 multifamily units valued at about $22.3 million were permitted, compared to eight units in July 2016. General commercial activity was valued at about $10.6 million for 18 permits, compared to about $333,000 in July 2016.
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ALDI Open for Business
The new ALDI at 1843 N.E. Pine Island Road celebrated its grand opening on Aug. 16. The popular discount grocery store known for rock-bottom prices is open daily. Information: 239-888-1867.
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