The Lighthouse Café, like so many other businesses on Sanibel Island, will have to be completely rebuilt on the inside. There’s also the unique task of rebuilding a collection of hundreds of lighthouse photographs, lithographs and paintings.
There were at least 428 items framed and displayed on the walls before the storm ruined most of them, owner Dan Billheimer said of the last time he counted. There were so many that extras were placed in storage elsewhere on the island but were ruined as well.
About 60% of those framed treasures at 362 Periwinkle Way were destroyed by Hurricane Ian’s storm surge. Almost 6 feet of salt water filled the inside of the 64-seat breakfast spot on Sept. 28. It’s about half a mile from the actual Sanibel Lighthouse, which lost one of its four legs during the storm but is in the process of being restored.
Billheimer, who bought the Lighthouse Café from his uncle Michael Billheimer in 2018, lost his Sanibel home, his car and, for now, his business due to the hurricane. He had between 19 and 26 employees, depending on the time of year.
The building itself has been in place since the mid-1950s and has belonged to a Billheimer since 1987.
“It destroyed everything,” Dan Billheimer said. “We’ve gutted everything. That’s the initial, sad part. We pitched every piece of kitchen equipment in there.
“The old Lighthouse Café, as everybody knew it, is done. We have a really good rapport with the landlords. They own several businesses in both shopping centers here. They are personally invested in it like myself. We’ve been talking about how we’re going to get it back.”
While Billheimer owns the restaurant, brothers Tony and Eddie Yahav own the building. They bought it in June 2021 for $3.5 million. They bought the shopping center across the street at 1167 Buttonwood Lane for $1.2 million in January 2021 and also own two shopping centers on Fort Myers Beach, all of which suffered incredible damage.
“Even with this, we have to enjoy the experience. Even the tough times, we have to laugh. We don’t want anybody to be down. We like positives. When it comes back, it’s not going to be the same. It’s going to be better. Everything is going to be fresh and new. But at the same time, we want to keep it the same way. We want to keep the same identity for the same shopping center. There’s something special about Sanibel. It’s very authentic.”
Some of the photos and framed drawings did survive. Everything above the water line Billheimer reclaimed and put in storage waiting for when he’ll have the opportunity to rehang them. It won’t be any time soon.
He said dozens of well-wishers have lifted his spirits by offering to donate replacement lighthouse-themed and framed items. 
“We are planning on coming back,” Billheimer said. “But it’s going to take quite a while. Things are dependent on how the landlords want to go forward. How much money we’re going to receive from the (Small Business Administration) in terms of loans.
“But first things first. The shopping center itself needs to be rehabbed. That’s starting with the roof all the way down to electrical. Everything you can think of. Licensed contractors doing it correctly. Sourcing materials when everyone else is doing that. It’s going to take quite a long time. I don’t know what that looks like. Anywhere from six months to a year until the café is able to get up and running like we’ve known it.”
The shock and awe of realizing the devastation has passed, he said. Now, it’s time to get to work.
The Lighthouse Café anchors the shopping center that includes a pair of gift shops, which are also being renovated.
Before reopening, Billheimer said he might open a temporary food tent or food truck from the parking lot if the logistics work.
“I’ve mourned it,” he said of the restaurant, which sold an average of 750 to 850 meals per day during the height of tourist season. “I’ve dealt with it. There’s improvements I can make. To modernize the café without it losing its old-school vibe and service. Because that’s what people loved about it.”
