Lead Photo: Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida has expanded its reach with the opening of its new San Carlos Park pediatrics office. Details below.
SUNSHINE ACE HARDWARE PLANS FIFTH COLLIER COUNTY STORE AT FOUNDERS SQUARE
Sunshine Ace Hardware will anchor The Plaza at Founders Square, a 48,500-square-foot retail strip of multiple units that will be in the center of the mixed-use development under construction on the southeast corner of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard in North Naples. Although it’s the first new Sunshine Ace in nearly 15 years, it will be the fifth location in Collier County and the 13th store on Florida’s Gulf Coast for the longtime homegrown hardware chain based in Naples. “Assuming we don’t have hiccups with the supply chain, we’re looking at opening no later than mid-2022,” said Michael Wynn, president of the family-owned company. The more than 21,000-square-foot store will be unique in that it will be the first Sunshine Ace Hardware to have a drive-thru for picking up online orders. The store will also have lockers for customer pickup convenience, a dedicated entrance for contractors and concentrations of fishing gear and commercial paint. Sunshine Ace and The Plaza will be surrounded by the other components of Founders Square: The Pointe restaurants, The Pearl apartments, Life Storage and Physicians Regional medical offices.
ICONIC AUTO DEALER AND ‘HUGE’ SWFL PHILANTHROPIST WILLIAM “BILLY” FUCCILLO DIES AT 65
Celebrity car dealer Billy Fuccillo passed late Thursday in Sarasota. Fuccillo, known for his “Huge” catchphrase, dominated automotive sales in Southwest Florida over the past decade. Fuccillo’s ubiquitous and obnoxious radio and television commercials made the Kia nameplate a top-selling brand in Southwest Florida. Also known for his generous philanthropy, Fuccillo regularly donated to charities, including a $100,000 to the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida in 2019 to support local hunger relief efforts. After entering into a purchase agreement last fall, the Fuccillo Kia dealerships in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte were sold in March to Plantation-based LMP Automotive Holdings.
FLORIDA EXPERIENCES 13 MONTHS OF JOB GROWTH
Florida has experienced 13 consecutive months of job growth, gaining 595,000 private-sector jobs over the year and 839,800 jobs since the height of the pandemic, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and reported by WINK News. In May, Florida gained 35,800 private-sector jobs and added more than 52,500 online job postings over the month for a total of 512,858 available jobs posted online throughout the state. Florida’s unemployment rate of 4.9% has remained below the national rate, currently at 5.8%, for 10 consecutive months. Florida’s unemployment rate has dramatically lowered over the year, decreasing by 9.3%. To search listings of Florida job openings, click here.
FALL NUMBERS UP AT FGCU
Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) fall numbers are up across the board compared to the same time last year. The college received 16,759 applications, up by 7.9% over this time last year; 2,889 deposits, up 33.3%; and 2,820 orientation registrations, up 39.1%. FGCU says it hopes to attract 2,245 first-year students this fall. “Much of this performance can be attributed to the student success initiative President Martin put in place in early 2018. The boots on the ground for enrollment include Vice President Mitch Cordova and Associate VP of Enrollment Management Lisa Johnson, among countless others.” Kyle McCurry, director of media and public relations at FGCU, says.
BARRON COLLIER COS. REVEALS NEW LOOK IN BRAND RELAUNCH OF CENTURY-OLD COMPANY
Barron Collier Cos., one of Southwest Florida’s largest and oldest diversified companies with interests in real estate, agriculture and minerals, revealed a brand relaunch with the debut of its new website look. The time-honored company, with roots tracing back to Collier County founder Barron Gift Collier, worked with Milesbrand agency and The CMO To Go to create a refreshed brand image connecting the company legacy and vision to its modern-day customer experience. “We really started from scratch,” says Blake Gable, CEO of Naples-based Barron Collier Cos. and fourth-generation Collier family member. “We took it back to our roots, to the visionary himself, Barron Gift Collier. He embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that carries through our organization today and we wanted to highlight that.” Visitors to the website can peruse a portfolio of real estate holdings, read about related services and businesses, discover the company’s ongoing environmental stewardship, and get a glimpse into the philanthropic impact of Barron Collier Jr Foundation. BCC’s new logo features five vertical pillars that evoke several interpretations including the linear embodiment of a generational timeline, representation of real estate development, and a symbol for the team members that make up Barron Collier Cos. as a whole.
JOHN R. WOOD PROPERTIES LAUNCHES NEW BRAND IDENTITY
John R. Wood Properties has implemented a comprehensive strategic rebranding, elevating the firm’s focus on streamlined, personalized service for luxury buyers and sellers and including new positioning and graphic design characteristics. “Over the past 60-plus years, we’ve built a strong reputation for best-in-class luxury real estate experience and service,” said Phil Wood, John R. Wood Properties President and CEO. “Our market research confirmed that evolving our brand identity was an appropriate strategic move for us to accurately reflect our history while focusing on continued utilization of today’s modern digital intelligence, as we pursue new opportunities for future growth and expansion.” Effective immediately, and throughout the coming weeks, John R. Wood Properties’ new branding elements will be incorporated across all business disciplines, online and in all 19 offices throughout Southwest Florida. In late January, John R. Wood Properties reported 2020 written sales volume of $3.65 billion, an increase of almost $1 billion over the previous year.
MK ARCHITECURE TO SERVICE SALON BELLEZZA EXPANSION
MK Architecture has been awarded the design services for the relocation and expansion of Salon Bellezza in Naples. The new, 2,985-square-foot salon will be located at Founders Square in Naples. It will feature 12 styling stations in an atrium environment, a makeup lounge, nail and pedicure stations, treatment rooms, and a hair and makeup retail sales area. The project is expected to start construction by late summer.
PHYSICIANS’ PRIMARY CARE OPENS NEW SAN CARLOS PARK PEDIATRICS OFFICE
Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida has opened a new San Carlos Park pediatrics office in the Preserve Plaza at 18070 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 108, Fort Myers. A public grand opening is slated for July 17, with a ribbon-cutting and activities for children from 9 a.m. to noon. Among the activities will be free vision screenings and car-seat inspections. Services offered at the new location include newborn care, well-child checkups, same-day appointments for ill children, vaccinations, back-to-school physicals and teen wellness exams. Appointments can be made by calling 239-481-5437. New patients are accepted.
MENTAL HEALTH VIRTUAL EVENT HELD ON WEDNESDAY
The newly formed Florida chapter of Women in Healthcare is hosting its third event at noon on Wednesday. Featuring a panel discussion by experts from Lee Health, the virtual event will address the impacts on mental health and how to nurture mental wellness in the future. The event will be sponsored by Studio+ and Suffolk. The Florida Chapter launched in early January of this year and is looking to incorporate by the end of 2021. The purpose of the organization is to promote the professional development of women in the healthcare industry and support mentorship and business.
Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops
CROWNE PLAZA FORT MYERS AT BELL TOWER SHOPS EARNS AAA AWARD
Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops has been recognized by the American Automobile Association (AAA) with a 2021 AAA Inspector’s Best of Housekeeping award. The award is granted to hotels throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean that earn the highest possible cleanliness and condition scores. This marks the second consecutive year the hotel has earned the award, which was created by AAA in 2020. Properties must demonstrate housekeeping excellence for two consecutive inspections and be free of AAA member complaints to meet the criteria for this award, which puts them in the top 25% of all 27,000 AAA Diamond-designated hotels.
Kerry Hunter
HUNTER CELEBRATES 10 YEARS AT BANK
Business Development Officer Kerry Hunter is celebrating 10 years at Englewood Bank & Trust. A member of the bank’s trust and investment management services team, Hunter is responsible for developing new client relationships, assisting clients with living trusts, IRA rollovers, investment management and charitable-giving strategies. She presents free seminars on a regular basis and offers complimentary one-on-one document reviews. Hunter holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey, and graduated from the Florida Bankers Association Trust & Wealth Management School. She served as an assistant vice president and branch manager for a Sarasota bank before joining Englewood Bank & Trust as a retail banking officer at the bank’s Boca Grande office. She joined the trust and investment management services team in 2014. Hunter graduated from the Englewood Chamber of Commerce Leadership Englewood program in 2017.
CHARITABLE NOTES
School District of Lee County to provide free meals for students during summer break
The School District of Lee County is partnering with Florida’s Summer BreakSpot program to provide free meals to children 18 years and younger at no cost while school is out during the summer, WINK News reports. A summer meals kickoff event will be held from 11 a.m. to noon today at Paul Sanborn Park in Cape Coral. The Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Fun-Mobile will be on site until 1 p.m. to offer a variety of free games and activities. Meals will be served at more than 75 locations in Lee County between today and July 28. There are no income requirements or registration. Anyone age 18 or younger may come to eat. There are three ways to find a Summer BreakSpot site and serving times: Call 211, text “FoodFL” to 877-877 or click here to search for locations near you.
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