It’s been quite the challenge to navigate the waters of business in the year 2020, but one Cape Coral business owner, along with his partners, are doing so successfully.

Jason Bhimji recently took full control of Big 10 Tavern in the Cape (where he was a partial owner) and also acquired The Omelet Shop in the same plaza on Southwest 16th Place.

Bhimji, 34, also opened a CBD store on Southeast 47th Terrace at the beginning of this year (to go along with his Fort Myers location) and even has a hand in the Buddha Live nightclub over the bridge.

The self-made businessman said his goal going forward is to continue to play an integral part in the community and to continue to give back and lend a hand to the many struggling right now in this economic climate.

“We’ve been doing a lot of community events and as much as we can do to give back to the community as possible,” Bhimji said.

Bhimji and his staff have turned to their creative side when it comes to accommodating the times and guidelines in a year experiencing a global pandemic.

They’ve used their space for jazz nights, paint parties, poker and other different events. They also have rented the space out to different organizations for meetings and networking.

“We’ve done everything right, not necessarily for recognition but really just to take care of our community,” Bhimji said. “Since I took over Big 10, we’ve been feeding families, backpack school drives and more.”

Bhimji said he knows what it’s like to struggle and feels that giving back to the Southwest Florida community is the least he can do.

“I know what it’s like to go to bed hungry. I know what it’s like to not have a roof over your head,” he said. “To be able to help families out during this time where there’s a lot of people who have lost their jobs because of things out of their hands — now is definitely the time to stick together and push as hard as we can for all.”

Bhimji’s partners include his twin brother Jeremy and chef Jermeiah Kuslock, who both have an ownership stake in Big 10 and The Omelet Shop.

“Jeremy brings insane value to us,” Bhimji said. “He’s opened up so many different restaurants all around the U.S. as a corporate trainer. He has experience traveling all around the country and getting places on their feet.”

At The Omelet Shop, Bhimji said they would take the same approach as they do with the bar: a fun, local atmosphere with affordable and hearty dishes.

“We’re sticking with the same attitude as Big 10,” Bhimji said. “Keep everything as fresh as possible. We have a great staff, an awesome atmosphere, and we’re following all of the CDC guidelines to keep everything as clean as possible. There’s a crew that comes in a does a deep clean every night.

“We’re going to keep cranking out new specials and good food for a cheap value so people can come more than once a month.”

A big part of those fresh items and special concoctions is Kuslock.

“He’s the reasoning behind all of our tasty dishes and always brings love to the kitchen and enthusiasm to new menu items and specials,” Bhimji said.

As for Bhimji’s CBD ventures (Complete Body Defense Inc.), his two locations are in the Cape and at Fleamasters on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (since 2018) in Fort Myers. There is also a medical marijuana certification doctor on site in Cape Coral. There is also a CBD smoothie bar on site.

All of his CBD products are certified and tested by a third party lab for quality.

Complete Body Defense Inc. is at 909 S.E. 47th Terrace. For more information visit www.completebodydefensefl.com.

Big 10 Tavern and The Omelet Shop are both in the plaza at 4703 S.W. 16th Place.

 –Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj