Celebrating our one year Anniversary!

The Islander’s One-Year Comeback: A Celebration of Resilience and Community

One year after reopening her beloved boutique, The Islander, we have turned survival into celebration. This anniversary marks not just the rebirth of a store, but the revival of a spirit that Hurricane Ian couldn’t wash away.

When Hurricane Ian devastated Fort Myers Beach in September 2022, I lost nearly everything. My two Times Square stores, The Pier Peddler and Local Color, were swept away. My home was severely damaged. Only The Islander, located in Santini Plaza, remained standing, though battered and empty.

But we didn’t give up. With no insurance and a mountain of loss, I leaned on this community and organizations like Heart on Main Street, which awarded us their first-ever $10,000 grant to help rebuild. By April 2023, we began restocking and restoring the boutique, and in October 2024—after multiple hurricane delays—The Islander reopened its doors.

This October, we commemorated one year since that emotional reopening. The celebration was more than a party—it was a homecoming. Locals, friends, and longtime customers gathered to honor the journey of recovery and the resilience that defines Fort Myers Beach.

We hope that the Islander’s anniversary is a beacon for other small businesses still struggling to return. As the first shop to reopen in Santini Plaza, it has inspired a wave of new beginnings. Other businesses—including South Beach Restaurant, New York Pizza & Pasta, and Sweet Licks Ice Cream—are preparing to follow suit.

Our journey reminds everyone that independent retailers are more than storefronts—they’re community anchors, family legacies, and places where memories are made. Our story is a testament to grit, grace, and the power of HOPE!