Tim Aten Knows: Dutch Bros Coffee plans drive-thru in East Naples  

Q: Do you know what is going in on 41 and Palm in the old Sonic? We see property stakes, and hope for a fresh start to take this eyesore’s place. – Shari Wynsma, Naples 

A: Dutch Bros Coffee continues its recent growth into Southwest Florida with interest in a drive-thru at the site of the former Sonic Drive-In at 3585 Tamiami Trail E. in East Naples. The only Sonic in Collier County permanently closed last March after operating for about 20 years on that corner outparcel of Naples Towne Centre North. 

Development plans have not been formally proposed yet for the East Naples location. At this point, Dutch Bros does not have any information to share about its plans, according to an external communications specialist for the company.  

Nevertheless, Dutch Bros representatives met with county planners for a pre-application meeting in early September to start the process for the site development plan amendment for the Sonic site.  

Proposals include modifications to the existing building and site to create dual-lane canopied drive-up order stations with parking spaces for walkup orders at a window, county documents show. Conceptual plans show Dutch Bros’ intention to use the existing 1,557-square-foot building with a 20-seat covered patio area on the nearly 1-acre lot on the southeast corner of U.S. 41 East and Palm Drive. 

The Dutch Bros beverage chain is popular for its specialty coffees, teas, energy drinks, shakes and smoothies. Its only edibles are bakery bites such as cake pops, blueberry muffins, muffin tops, banana bread and coffee crumb cake. 

The Oregon-based company was started in 1992 by two American brothers of Dutch descent. Dutch Bros launched two locations this year in Lee County – opening in south Fort Myers in January and Cape Coral in February. Additional locations are expected. 

Sonic still operates two area locations in Fort Myers and North Fort Myers. 

Empire Bagel Factory 

Naples-based Empire Bagel Factory recently launched three more locations in the region. The family-owned-and-operated business now has five locations in Collier County and three in Lee County. 

Lucas and Rachel Oest opened their latest Naples area location Sept. 1 in a unit that previously was home to Beachin’ Cakes and Smallcakes at Meridian Marketplace, 3369 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 104, just east of Livingston Road. Other Collier locations are in Naples Park, East Naples and Marco Island. 

Empire Bagel also opened a location in Cape Coral in August and is ready to launch another this month in College Plaza on College Parkway in south Fort Myers. The first Fort Myers location is near Gulf Coast Town Center. 

The Oests initially bought an existing location that opened on Marco Island in 1984. 

“We bought it in 2015. Then, it 2019 we started expanding,” said Rachel Oest, who is originally from Long Island, New York. 

“Once we got past the two locations, it was easier. Honestly, we have great managers and a team, so that helps it a lot. Then, a lot of these locations happened at the right time, so our theory is if it’s meant to be, it’ll be. They all just kind of worked well.” 

The Oests are able to keep costs down by operating out of smaller units of about 800 to 1,500 square feet using baking commissaries set up as central kitchens at their locations at Vanderbilt Commons in North Naples and near Interstate 75 and Alico Road in Fort Myers. 

“So, it makes it easier for consistency, so we don’t have eight different bakers,” Oest said. “It just makes it easier for consistency and growth to do it that way. We have delivery drivers to bring all of our bagels out fresh every morning. It has worked for us.” 

The menu features 21 flavors of New York-style bagels, 10 flavors of cream cheese, and a variety of toppings and add-ons. Options include 10 breakfast sandwiches and five lunch sandwiches, as well as coffee drinks and other beverages. 

“I feel like we’re in that quick-service industry where people don’t really have a lot of time to sit down and eat or don’t want to,” she said. “I feel like it’s in a good niche where people will still always have that want and need for it.” 

The stores are open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, except the East Naples location, which is open 7 a.m. to noon. The local business also offers catering for offices and events, and wholesale opportunities for restaurants and retailers throughout Southwest Florida. 

Just Salad 

Just Salad, a fast-casual restaurant chain headquartered in New York City, opened its first area location Sept. 1 in Granada Shoppes at 960 Immokalee Road, Suite 200, in North Naples.  

Just Salad built its brand around health and sustainability. A leader in sustainable dining since its 2006 founding, the brand is best known for its reusable bowl program, which rewards guests with a free topping for every reuse of a bowl they purchase from Just Salad, which features homemade dressings with flavorful ingredients, and fresh produce prepped daily for chef-designed recipes. 

Just Salad invites the local community to take part in its grand opening promotions: Sept. 16 is Giveback Day, when Just Salad will donate $1 of every in-store purchase to Keep Collier Beautiful; and Sept. 17-19 diners can enjoy $5 Meal Days, when they get $5 chef-designed salads, wraps, warm bowls or market plates, such as gochujang, Peruvian and fajita chicken. 

The new salad eatery moved into two units at Granada Shoppes to create a 2,478-square-foot space. Just Salad combined Unit 200 that used to be Coffee Bar and Starbucks with Unit 202, that previously was home to Supercuts and Metro by T-Mobile.  

A second area location of Just Salad is opening soon 7 miles south on U.S. 41 in a unit that used to be Zoom Tan. That smaller Naples Plaza location is at 1993 Tamiami Trl N., next to Publix Liquors Just Salad has 100 locations in the Northeast, Midwest and South, including 25 in Florida. 

The Tim Aten Knows weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at Tim.Aten@NaplesPress.com.