Bell Tower shopping center in south Fort Myers has become a refuge for island-based businesses damaged by Hurricane Ian.  

Seven new storefronts opened at Bell Tower in recent days, and all of them used to be on Sanibel or Captiva islands. Adventures in Paradise Outfitters, Bubbly Latitude, Butterfly Beach, Congress Jewelers, MacIntosh Books + Paper, Sanibel Candle Co. and Synergy each moved into the shopping center.  

La Ola, a Fort Myers Beach restaurant operating a temporary setup from its original Times Square location, plans to open a second location at Bell Tower later this spring.  

“Bell Tower has very quickly helped each of these retailers re-establish their business in neighboring Fort Myers after their island stores were completely decimated by Hurricane Ian,” John Lai, president of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce said. “While we hope these retailers return to the islands when post-hurricane repairs are completed, we are incredibly grateful to Bell Tower and our neighbors in the Fort Myers community for providing the kind of support that not only helped these people rebuild their businesses, but also helped them regain an important part of their lives.”  

Tom Houghton, owner of La Ola, looks forward to joining other displaced businesses at Bell Tower.  

“It’s been in the works since November,” Houghton said. “Shortly after the storm, I realized I was going to have to have a plan B. There wasn’t going to be any certainty on the island for quite some time.”  

Part of plan B has been reviving La Ola at Times Square using a shipping container as a makeshift setup.  

“But all of that can be taken away if the land sells or if another hurricane is coming,” Houghton said. “I wanted a safe, home base to be able to continue my brand. Bell Tower just happened to have a fully equipped, empty restaurant. I do have to do some minor renovations to it.”  

Houghton described La Ola as a relaxed, fun, beach place with frozen drinks, margaritas, bloody marys and live music. All of that will be at the new La Ola location, he said, hopefully by mid-April.  

“We’re not trying to change our brand or change anything except the location we’re doing it,” Houghton said. “We’re trying to bring the beach to Bell Tower.” 

Here’s a look at the new Bell Tower businesses that have opened there:  

Adventures in Paradise Outfitters: Open in suite 183, it offers clothing for adventures, travel and poolside lounging.  

Bubbly Latitude: Open in suite 127, it offers furnishings, décor and gifts to help shoppers create environments that reflect their own personal styles.  

Butterfly Beach: Open in suite 129, it offers hand-picked, on-trend clothing and accessories that brings a West Coast style to the beaches of Florida.  

Congress Jewelers: Open in suite 165, it is a third-generation, family-owned business. It offers its trademark SeaLife By Congress Collection, with each piece hand-crafted by local artisans.  

MacIntosh Books + Paper: Open in suite 213, it offers the latest best-selling books and a number of island-centric gifts.  

Sanibel Candle Co.: Open in suite 107, it offers candles, room mists, wax melts and diffusers. It also has a candle bar, the first of its kind in Southwest Florida, where shoppers can choose from more than 60 scents to blend into a candle fragrance uniquely their own.  

Synergy: Open in suite 185, it has Life is Good apparel and accessories for men, women and children.