South Seas announces the opening Provisions, a gourmet marketplace

South Seas, located on Captiva Island, has announces the opening of Provisions in The Shops at South Seas, a gourmet marketplace welcoming all Captiva Island visitors. Provisions offers breakfast and lunch options, gourmet grocery and beverage selections, South Seas apparel and helpful sundries for all vacation needs.

The new market is a welcomed addition to the expansive amenities and outlets being unveiled as part of the resort’s rebuilding process following the devastation of Hurricane Ian.

A fusion of sophistication and convenience-driven, coastal charm, Provisions presents a curated selection of signature offerings such as chilaquiles and smoothie bowls along with freshly baked goods of muffins, croissants and pastries each morning. With made-to-order sandwiches, build-your-own snack trays and all natural, antibiotic-free, whole jerk seasoned and lemon pepper rotisserie chickens, the ready-to-eat and quick pick-up options also include barbeque ribs, salads, overnight oats and poke bowls.

A selection of wine and craft beer and canned and bottled cocktails are available, along with frozen dessert options from ice cream sandwiches to fresh fruit popsicles.

Featuring a deli counter with made-to-order sandwiches and salads, the marketplace also includes convenience items such as dairy, snacks and paper goods.

Provisions is open daily 8 am – 4 pm.

For more information, visit SouthSeas.com or call (800) 237-6000. To follow along on social media, visit Facebook at @SouthSeasResort, Instagram at @SouthSeasResort or X at @SSIslandResort.

RSW announces April passenger count

During April, 1,133,256 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers. This was an increase of 15% compared to April 2023. It is also the second-best April reported in the 41-year history of the airport. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 23%.

The traffic leader in April was Delta with 224,456 passengers. Rounding out the top five airlines were Southwest (175,814), United (171,987), American (157,785) and JetBlue (99,367).

Southwest Florida International Airport had 9,336 aircraft operations, an increase of 11 percent compared to April 2023. Page Field saw 14,514 operations, which was a 19% decrease compared to April 2023.

Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 10 million passengers in 2023 and is one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction. For more information, visit flylcpa.com or facebook.com/flyRSW.

Bay Street Yard welcomes Wallace as general manager

Bay Street Yard, a new business coming to downtown Fort Myers, has named Mimi Wallace as general manager. A destination for live entertainment, craft beers, artisan beverages and food trucks, Bay Street Yard was slated to open May 30.

Wallace brings more than 30 years of diverse experience to her role as general manager, where she will lead ongoing operations for Bay Street Yard. Prior to this role, she held management positions with Edgewater Beach Hotel in Naples and JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort.

Located at 2136 Bay St. in Fort Myers, Bay Street Yard is a casual, yet upscale outdoor entertainment and food truck venue that will feature two full-service bars, three unique food trucks concepts serving up tailored menu options, seating for over 300 people and a second level with VIP seating, and accommodations for private functions of up to 451 people. With an emphasis on entertainment, the venue will offer a covered stage for live performances, an impressive 8-foot by 13-foot LED TV screen for viewing of sporting events and other performances, and a variety of outdoor games such as cornhole, ping pong, bocce and more.

For more information and latest updates on Bay Street Yard, visit BayStreetYard.com or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

Henderson Franklin names Beatty as Business Litigation Department chair

The full-service law firm of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., has announced the appointment of stockholder Scott Beatty as the new chair of the Business Litigation Department. He joined the firm in 2003 and previously served on the firm’s Executive Committee. Expressing gratitude for his predecessor, Beatty shares,

With nearly three decades of experience in Florida litigation, Beatty represents clients across the spectrum of civil, business, and commercial litigation. His comprehensive practice includes real estate litigation, business torts, contract disputes, collections, as well as insurance claims, workers’ compensation defense, and appellate cases.

After graduating cum laude from Wake Forest University, Beatty obtained his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law, graduating cum laude. He may be reached at scott.beatty@henlaw.com by phone at 239-344-1169.

Marking a century of service, Henderson Franklin has been an integral part in shaping Southwest Florida’s landscape. With a team of over 50 attorneys, the firm provides a comprehensive array of legal services from business and tax planning to estate planning, family law, civil litigation, eminent domain, intellectual property, workers’ compensation, employment law, real estate, and land use and environmental law. The firm has offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Naples. For more information on Beatty or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com.

Greater Fort Myers Chamber to host Chamber Awards July 25

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce has announced its third annual Chamber Awards, set for 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, at Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers.

Recognizing members for their outstanding contributions to the greater Fort Myers community, the program will feature an awards ceremony to honor finalists and name winners for their impact in several categories. Nominations for the awards program are now open through Tuesday, June 4 at FortMyers.org/Award-Form.

Chamber members will be recognized in the following categories:

• Small Business of the Year (1-50 employees): Recognizes a for-profit company with less than 50 employees for community leadership, exemplary business practices, innovation and creativity in business, and commitment to employee support and development. The company must be established locally for the last three years.

• Large Business of the Year (50+ employees): Recognizes a for-profit company with more than 50 employees for community leadership, exemplary business practices, innovation and creativity in business, and commitment to employee support and development. The company must be established locally for the last three years.

• Community Impact Award: Recognizes an individual who has made a significant impact within the community and profession throughout their career, either through leadership of their organization’s charitable efforts or through personal efforts.

• Entrepreneur of the Year: Recognizes an individual who has made a mark in their field and led the way for other industry players to follow through demonstrated leadership within the profession and business community, significant business achievements and innovative products or services.

• Nonprofit Excellence Award: Recognizes a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 nonprofit organization that makes a positive impact within the community through unique, impactful programs and services that create change within the communities it serves.

• Young Professional of the Year: Recognizes a young professional age 21-40 as of July 25, 2024, who has emerged as a business leader and demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in their career and community.

The awards ceremony will also recognize the finalists and recipient of the Women in Business Committee’s APEX Awards and will include an installation ceremony for the Chamber’s 2024-25 board of directors.

Tickets for the Chamber Awards celebration are $150 per person and $1,350 for a table of 10. To make a nomination, purchase tickets or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit FortMyers.org or call 239-332-2930.

For additional information regarding membership opportunities or events, please call 239-332-2930 or visit www.fortmyers.org. For the latest news and updates, follow the Chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gfmcc.

MNMW welcomes three new team members

Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., P.A. has welcomed three new team members to the firm. Rachel Petersdorff and Sara Koronec joined the tax division as associates, and Tyler Gaynor is a senior associate in our tax division.

Petersdorff graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a bachelor of science in accounting and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in accounting and taxation at FGCU. She previously worked with two smaller public accounting firms, gaining experience in bookkeeping and accounting. Her areas of expertise include business and personal tax preparation.

Koronec graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a bachelor of science in accounting and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in accounting and taxation at FGCU. Before joining MNMW, she interned with a local accounting firm to gain experience in bookkeeping and accounting. Her areas of expertise include business and personal tax preparation.

Gaynor graduated from Saint Xavier University in Chicago with a bachelor of science in accounting. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He started his career working with high-net-worth individuals at a private client services group. Upon moving to Florida, he joined an accounting firm, where he processed a variety of tax return types and handled bookkeeping services for clients. His areas of expertise include business and personal tax preparation and business consulting.

Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A. is a public accounting and consulting firm with offices in Fort Myers and Naples. In addition to traditional tax and accounting services, the firm offers a wide range of other services, including general business consulting, construction business consulting, healthcare consulting, not-for-profit services, family mediation services, forensic accounting, and litigation support. Call 239-433-5554 or visit www.Markham-Norton.com for more information.

Bank of America awards $25,000 grant to FutureMakers Coalition at Collaboratory for workforce development

Bank of America recently granted $25,000 to FutureMakers Coalition at Collaboratory to address workforce development, education needs and a diverse talent pipeline.

Bank of America has supported Collaboratory since 2017, including a multi-year commitment to further FutureMakers Coalition’s goal of transforming Southwest Florida’s workforce. In 2022, a $300,000 grant from the bank helped create the Navigator Program to connect adults and students with the training programs, credentials and certifications needed to secure better paying jobs.

FutureMakers Coalition is just one of 15 Southwest Florida nonprofits the bank is supporting with economic mobility grants awarded throughout the year to help tackle society’s biggest challenges. This first round of grants is focused on improving the lives of individuals and families by investing in health and jobs.

FutureMakers Coalition is a regional collective impact initiative that has been designated a Talent Hub by Lumina Foundation in partnership with The Kresge Foundation to support local efforts to increase educational attainment. Formed in 2015 around existing regional collaborations, the Coalition is committed to creating a cradle-to-career pathway to ensure success for traditional students and adult learners. FutureMakers Coalition was one of Lumina Foundation’s 75 national Community Partners in Attainment and is a member of the National Talent Network. Collaboratory provides backbone/administrative support to FutureMakers Coalition.

FutureMakers Coalition encourages businesses to join and invest in sustaining this community-changing initiative by visiting https://www.futuremakerscoalition.com or emailing Tessa LeSage at tlesage@collaboratory.org.

Greater Fort Myers Chamber’s Women in Business to host ‘Wine Pull at the Pool’ June 5

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business committee is hosting “Wine Pull at the Pool,” a fundraiser and networking program, on Wednesday, June 5, from 4-6 p.m.

The Women in Business committee will be raising funds by offering a wine pull to attendees. For just $20, participants will have the exciting opportunity to select a mystery bottle of wine while sitting poolside.

Attendees can enjoy light refreshments and a complimentary drink as they mingle with fellow community members and support a worthy cause. All proceeds from the wine pull will go directly to the Women in Business Scholarship Fund, dedicated to assisting non-traditional students in achieving their educational goals.

The chamber program will be held at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Myers Cape Coral, located at 7090 Cypress Terrace in Fort Myers. Registration is $15 for Chamber members and $25 for future members. Attendees can register in advance at FortMyers.org or call 239-332-2930.