Lead Photo: Health care workers at the Bonita Springs monoclonal antibody clinic at the old Bonita Springs Library
FLORIDA PROPOSES INITIATIVES TO RECRUIT, RETAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
Gov. Ron DeSantis was joined by Attorney General Ashley Moody, members of the Legislature and local law enforcement officials on Tuesday to announce three new policy proposals for the next legislative session to help recruit new law enforcement officers and support Florida’s local and state law enforcement agencies. These proposals provide state resources to recruit law enforcement officers through new officer signing bonuses, an academy scholarship program and out-of-state relocation support. New officer signing bonuses will provide a one-time $5,000 payment to sworn law enforcement officers who are new to the profession in Florida.
ITALIAN DELI AND MARKET RELOCATES TO LARGER LOCATION ON MARCO ISLAND
A much larger Italian Deli and Market had its soft opening Wednesday and plans a grand opening and ribbon-cutting Oct. 1 at its new location, 902 Park Ave., across from Veterans’ Community Park on Marco Island. The new 4,316-square-foot restaurant seats 150 with a full-service bar and large outdoor seating area. The local business has been family owned and operated for 24 years. The longtime location on Collier Boulevard closed Sunday in preparation for the move. The new Italian Deli and Market, open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, offers dine-in and takeout Italian sandwiches, entrees, pizza, soup, salads and desserts as well as imported meats, cheeses, heat-and-eat prepared foods and groceries.
LEE COUNTY PLANS PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR INPUT ON COUNTY COMMISSION REDISTRICTING
Lee County commissioners plan public meetings soon for input on the county commission’s redistricting process. State law requires that each county meet after the completion of the U.S. Census every 10 years to examine the need for redistricting because of population shifts. In Lee County, members of the county commission are elected by countywide voters, but each is seated in one of five separate districts where they live. County commissioners launched a website that includes maps, data and information so that residents can understand the redistricting process. There are four public meetings planned for Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Nov. 16 and Dec. 7, including three public hearings on the redistricting process.
JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS OPENS NEW LOCATION IN EAST NAPLES
Jersey Mike’s Subs, a fast-casual sandwich chain that started on the Jersey Shore in 1956, launched a new location Wednesday in East Naples. The second Jersey Mike’s in Collier County opened in a 1,482-square-foot unit at Shops at Hammock Cove, 5040 Tamiami Trail E., Suite 200. Franchise owners Ron Soriano and Tracy Groenendaal are hosting a grand opening fundraiser through Sunday, Sept. 12, to support David Lawrence Centers, where 20% of sales up to $2,000 will be donated. A second fundraiser next week will support St. Matthew’s House. From Wednesday, Sept. 15 to Sunday, Sept. 19, customers who make a minimum donation of one non-perishable food item or a minimum donation of $3 to St. Matthew’s House will receive 25% off their entire purchase. The restaurant’s hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
NAPLES ZOO PLANS COLLIER COUNTY RESIDENT APPRECIATION DAYS
The Naples Zoo has two appreciation days this month for Collier County residents. The zoo will treat Collier County residents to free admission on Friday, Sept. 10, and Saturday, Sept. 11. Each adult must provide proof of residence at admissions. Under normal circumstances, Naples Zoo offers all Collier County residents free admission on the first Saturday of every month as a tangible thank you for voting to save the zoo in 2004. Because of federal government restrictions for safe social distancing, the free Saturday program has been suspended until further notice. Naples Zoo typically sees anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 guests in a single day on a free Saturday. To reserve free timed admission tickets, click here.
LULU’S KITCHEN AT ST. MATTHEW’S HOUSE DEBUTS OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT SEPT. 11
LuLu’s Kitchen at St. Matthew’s House debuts its new outdoor movie night from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. The event features a screening of the 1994 comedy “Angels in the Outfield,” starring Danny Glover, Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Matthew McConaughey. The movie will be shown in the parking lot of LuLu’s Kitchen, 2125 Airport-Pulling Road, East Naples. The evening includes a disc jockey and casual fare of hamburgers, hot dogs, snow cones, cotton candy and more. Guests should park next door at St. Matthew’s House Boutique Thrift Store and bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Prepaid tickets are $12 per ticket for ages 13 and older or $20 for two tickets; $5 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for children under 3. To purchase tickets on Eventbrite, click here.
FIFTH AVENUE SOUTH JOB FAIR STARTS TODAY
The Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District (BID) will host a two-day job fair to assist businesses along the avenue with their recruitment efforts. The job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and Friday at the Inn on Fifth Ballroom, Naples. In coordination with Express Employment Professionals, the job fair is an opportunity for job seekers to meet with representatives of nearly a dozen retail shops, restaurants and other local businesses who are actively recruiting for now and into the upcoming season.
TRUE FASHIONISTAS TO PARTICIPATE IN FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
True Fashionistas Resale, a designer resale and consignment store, has been selected by Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) as a business participant in the FGCU Bank of America sixth annual Student Small Business Readiness Certificate Program. The program pairs approved students and participating businesses for an approximately month-long intensive internship, shadowing and mentorship curriculum from October to November. Students assigned to True Fashionistas will have a learning project such as creating a marketing campaign or customer database and a final project. The program culminates with a reception on the FGCU campus on Nov. 17. True Fashionistas will also provide an optional remote program.
Kevin McDade
MCDADE JOINS PRIORITY MARKETING AS MEDIA BUYER
Kevin McDade has joined Priority Marketing as a media buyer. Priority Marketing’s media buying department coordinates TV, radio, outdoor, newspaper, magazine and online media for various industries. During an advertising career that spans more than two decades, McDade has held a variety of roles within the industry, including senior media buyer, media supervisor, media buyer and media assistant for multiple advertising and marketing firms across Florida and Georgia. Some of his previous accounts include Publix, the Florida Lottery, Morgan Auto Group and Southeast Toyota. McDade also has experience as a finance manager for an automotive dealership. McDade is an Air Force veteran with expertise in logistics, heavy equipment, transportation and fleet management. He is a graduate of the Air Force’s Leadership School.
NOVEMBER SPECIAL SECTION: HOLIDAY PARTY PLANNING GUIDE
The November 2021 issue of Gulfshore Business magazine will include our annual Holiday Party Planning Guide special advertising section. ‘Tis the season for businesses of all sizes throughout Southwest Florida to hold their annual holiday parties to recognize their employees’ outstanding work and celebrate their company’s success. Don’t miss this special opportunity to promote your special event venue, catering company or party specialty products company to the many business owners and senior executives who are monthly readers of Gulfshore Business magazine! For advertising inquiries, please contact Associate Publisher Chris Renstrom at 239-498-8517 or chris.renstrom@gulfshorebusiness.com.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Grace Church collecting donations for those impacted by Hurricane Ida
An organization in Southwest Florida is collecting donations to help the victims whose lives were upended, and some with no place to stay, after Hurricane Ida. The donation drive at Grace Church began on Friday to pack a truck with supplies for delivery to Louisiana. The local church is collecting items until Sunday, Sept. 12, at Grace Church, 13 SE 21st Place, Cape Coral, WINK News reports. For a full list of the items needed and where donations can be dropped off, click here.
Frances Wilhelm of Quigley Eye Specialists prepares to deliver baskets of dry eye supplies and other self-care products.
Quigley Eye Specialists help monoclonal antibody nurses with dry eye supplies
Quigley Eye Specialists delivered 80 baskets of dry eye supplies and self-care products to Southwest Florida monoclonal antibody clinics over the Labor Day weekend to help nurses and first responders who are experiencing dry eye because of extensive time spent in front of computer screens. The “Quigley Cares” baskets were delivered to four monoclonal treatment locations in Bonita Springs, Naples, Immokalee and Englewood. The gift baskets included Systane lubricant eye drops and gels, Genteal Tears, $500 iLASIK gift cards and $25 optical gift cards good at any Quigley Eye Specialists office. The four monoclonal antibody clinics are among 21 opened in the past two weeks in Florida that help people who have the early stages of COVID-19 avoid hospitalization.
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