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A new restaurant and bar concept with three kitchens plus a bakery, a self-serve beer tap wall and a full bar under one roof launched Dec. 7 on Old 41 in Bonita Springs.

The Causeway, co-owned by Ken Delaney, Randy Decker and Janak Amin, will operate daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 28280 Old 41 Road, south of Bonita Beach Road.

“The premise of our place is a food hall where we’re introducing four new concepts to Bonita with a huge variety of foods from around the world along with a full bar, indoor and outdoor seating, live music and Sunday brunches,” Delaney said.

Carl and Carol Smith operate the food part of the business, while Delaney oversees the building, the beer wall and the L-shaped bar, which has an overhead door that opens it to outdoor seating, too. All components of the business also share interior seating in the large space that’s part of the Causeway Commerce Park units with multicolored striped awnings on the west side of Old 41. The Causeway name originated with the Causeway Lumber Co., which operated at that site for more than 30 years until it closed in 2009.

“We’re a casual dining eatery with four food concepts,” Carl Smith said.

The food offerings will include Orzo, serving a variety of pizza and Italian favorites with fresh pasta and sauces made daily; Roast, a deli bar with freshly prepared meat selections, salads and charcuterie boards; Smithy’s, an international kitchen serving foods such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, curry dishes, noodles and more; and Dessert Lab, which will have colossal milkshakes made to order with a choice of toppings, such as cookies, cupcakes and doughnuts.

“There’s nothing on the menu more than $20, so we have a variety for everybody,” Smith said. “And it’s not overly priced.”

The Causeway has a self-serve beer wall featuring 20 taps with all Florida craft beers, most of them from local breweries, Delaney said. The tap wall uses a wristband method for a self-pour experience where patrons pay by the ounce.

“We’re going to have some TVs above the bar for sports, but it’s mainly just a nice, casual comfortable place to eat and drink,” Smith said.

The business has space for 150 seats inside and space for another 150 outside with picnic tables with umbrellas and park-style benches. At first glance, the establishment appears to be similar to a food court, but it actually functions more like a sit-down restaurant with personalized service.

“It’s all table service. They come in, sit down and we’ll give you a menu. The menu has all three different food concepts inside,” Smith said.

Guests can order ice cream or milkshakes from the menu but a changing selection of baked goods, such as brownies, cookies and doughnuts must be ordered directly from The Dessert Lab.

“You can open a tab and it can just stay open while you’re in here. So, you can take stuff from (The Dessert Lab) and it goes on the tab. But it’s also table service,” Smith said.

Experiencing unexpected delays since its inception three years ago, the business changed its name and concept from its initial idea. At first, it was going to be called The Industry with units comprised of local food truck operators. The original idea was Delaney’s, who used to own Industry Works shared office space there. When he opened during the pandemic, some friends talked him into opening a restaurant instead.

“Originally, it was going to be leased out as individual food trucks,” said Smith. He and his wife used to operate C&C Catering and the Brit Pit food truck, which featured cuisine from their native England.

Carol Smith is the general manager of The Causeway, while the kitchen is overseen by Carl Smith who has been a chef for more than two decades in many fine-dining restaurants in Europe, as well as for the Manchester United soccer team.

Smith predicts that Smithy’s will be the most popular part of the menu at The Causeway with its variety of international street food—English, Indian, Thai, Korean, American—a little bit from all around the world. “We’ve even got ramen noodles on there, fish and chips on there. We only have one burger, but it’s a decent burger. We have steak and ale pie on there— which is an English thing—shepherd’s pie. I like the variety. We’ve got shrimp tacos. There’s a little bit of everything,” he said.

Smith is a big fan of Asian food, so he likes a menu item that has an Asian influence.

“We have a dish on the menu called Fire Fries, which is French fries that we overcook so they’re crispy and, then in a wok, we fry up fresh peppers, chilies, onions, garlic and then throw the French fries in. You coat it in sriracha and Chinese five-spice. It’s more of a shareable thing,” he said.

“Eventually, we would like to open the food section from 8 a.m. to do breakfast,” Smith said. “To start with, we’re going to do 11 to 11 and then once we find our feet, then serve breakfast from the coffee bar and the bakery will open from 8 at that point then, as well.”

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Sunshine Ace Hardware has announced its eighth annual Reel in the Sunshine fishing expo, a free family friendly event being held Feb. 10 in Bonita Springs, will highlight the growing popularity of recreational fishing in Southwest Florida.

Reel in the Sunshine features vendor led demonstrations, product giveaways and exclusive discounts on a wide range of fishing and lifestyle gear, including fishing apparel, rods, reels, lures, hats, sunglasses and other accessories.

The expo will feature a pair of local fishing guides and boat captains, Capt. Barry Cuda Nicholls and Capt. Chris Turner, who will share stories and expertise with attendees during keynote addresses. For those new to fishing, Nicholls will lead a “Fishing 101 for Beginners” seminar, offering valuable tips to get started, selecting waterways and choosing the right gear for a successful fishing experience. Turner, a third-generation Naples native and seasoned tournament angler, will delve into “Inshore Fishing Tactics,” exploring opportunities to increase your experience on the water.

“Florida is often called the ‘fishing capital of the world,’ and the lakes, rivers and bays of Southwest Florida are among the best places for beginners to cast a line,” said Michael Wynn, president of Sunshine Ace Hardware. “It can be intimidating to head out fishing for the first time, and that’s part of the reason we created Reel in the Sunshine. Once you feel confident and ‘look the part,’ you’re hooked.”

Reel in the Sunshine will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 10 at Sunshine Ace Hardware in Bonita

Springs, 9100 Bonita Beach Road SE. Admission is free, but guests can participate in a giveaway and charity luncheon to support Captains for Clean Water, a nonprofit with a mission to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems for the use and enjoyment by all.

Event Schedule:

¦ 8 a.m.: Gates open

¦ 9:30 a.m.: ‘Fishing 101 for Beginners’ seminar with Capt. Barry Cuda Nicholls

¦ 10:30 a.m.: ‘Inshore Fishing’ discussion with Capt. Chris Turner

¦ 11:30 a.m.: Charity luncheon to support Captains for Clean Water

¦ Noon: Giveaways items announced ¦

Chefs fire up the competitionFEMA delivers late blow to Lee County residents impacted by Hurricane IanSplash into license-free freshwater fishing

Engage Estero, an all-volunteer, nonpolitical, nonprofit Community Engagement Association, is presenting a free public forum to discuss traffic congestion, identify problems, and share potential solutions to employ individually, as a Village, or as a County. Population growth is putting pressure on roads and current residents.

The free forum will be held on Tuesday, April 16, from 6 -8:30 p.m. in the Auditorium of Estero High School, located at 21900 River Ranch Road in Estero, Florida.

Effective traffic congestion solutions require a collaborative approach involving experts, community members, and policymakers. The Forum features expert panelists on traffic congestion.

To be examined during the meeting:

• The key issues that have led to the current congestion in Greater Estero.

• Why it can take many years to make changes to the road structure even after the problem is identified.

• Why road widening along East Corkscrew is slow to catch up with the developments taking place.

Learn the reasons for congestion, the problems, potential solutions, and what you can do

• What can be done to create a positive impact by helping to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow? What are the solutions?

The Experts

Steven Davies

Florida Department of Transportation

Steven has been specifically involved in Collier County’s aims to leverage existing funded projects (to maximize connected vehicle data) to provide real-time information to travelers to inform decision-making and realize a vision of maximum mobility and safety in trips in and around Collier County. This project will deploy a Connected Traveler Information System (CTIS) that leverages Connected Vehicle (CV) data on US 41 within Collier County.

Max Forgey

Owner, Forgey Planning

Forgey Planning is an experienced land use planning firm with more than three decades of professional experience in Florida’s local government planning and community development. The firm navigates the specific requirements of land use permissions essential for urban planning and real estate projects. The firm handles applications for rezoning, land use amendments, variances, and other required permits. They ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, forming a solid legal foundation for clients’ projects and coordinate with Governmental bodies and agencies is part of the process to ensure a smooth approval process.

Ted Treesh

President, TR Transportation Consultants

Ted Treesh has over 20 years of experience in transportation engineering and planning. Specifically, he has expertise in traffic impact studies, corridor planning studies, traffic signal justification studies, and traffic signal systems analysis. Mr. Treesh has served as project manager for numerous transportation planning studies. He has performed capacity evaluations of signaled and non-signaled intersections, evaluated development plans for traffic circulation and safety, and recommended improvements to parking areas and on-site design to accommodate development traffic.

Carmen Monroy

Senior Transportation Planner, Stantec, Inc.

Stantec is an international professional services company that plans, designs, delivers, and manages the development and infrastructure needed to create sustainable, healthy, and prosperous communities. Carmen focuses on transportation, performance-based management, visioning, and creative engagement, planning. She assists in developing strategies and programs for local governments, non-profits, and public transportation agencies. Carmen has experience in transportation policy framework, community planning, and trends and conditions.

If you have concerns or want to learn more about current and future traffic congestion in greater Estero, join this informative forum. It will provide insights into reasons, problems, and potential solutions.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required. You can reserve your spot on the Engage Estero website at www.esterotoday.com/apr2024/

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the questions to the panel.

For additional information, contact Jim Gilmartin at 630-337-9900 or email info@esterotoday.com.

Visit Engage Estero at www.esterotoday.com. ¦

Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau has installed a live webcam in Bonita Springs in partnership with Wonder Gardens zoological park and botanical garden. Viewers can see recorded sunrises, as well as live views of the Brick Walking Path, the Gravel Path and the Green House Aviaries at Wonder Gardens, and Imperial River Kayaks, Riverfront Lawn and Riverfront Path taken from Wonder Gardens across the Imperial River. Visit the webcam at visitfortmyers.com/webcams#bonita-springs.

“We love that people near and far can experience a little bit of the Wonder Gardens through these webcams,” said Sarah Williamson, Wonder Gardens’ retail and communications manager. “It’s the next best thing to being here in person!”

For a new event, Wine and Wonder Uncorked in December, the webcam recorded a time-lapse video of the event that can also be viewed on the webcam site.

Webcams allow locals and visitors to see what is happening around Southwest Florida and are available at visitfortmyers.com with views of Boca Grande, Manatee Park, Captiva Island, North Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel Island and now Bonita Springs and the Wonder Gardens.

Wonder Gardens has live webcam available

Viewers are able to control the views seen on the webcam livestream by clicking the icon with four arrows. Only one viewer at a time can control the camera views. Viewers can also click the camera icon to take a full-size picture. Most webcams are live from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

About Wonder Gardens

The Wonder Gardens, a charitable zoological park and botanical garden in Bonita Springs, is home to rescued birds and reptiles nestled among sprawling banyan trees and plantings. While preserving the best of this site’s 86-year history, the nonprofit cares for rescued, rehabilitated, and non-releasable animals, is upgrading wildlife enclosures and growing the botanical beauty of the property, while delivering education programs and events and further engaging the community to enjoy this jewel in historic Downtown Bonita Springs. The Wonder Gardens at 27180 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs is one of the few remaining cornerstones of Old Florida, an enduring symbol of the history of the region, as well as a resource for learning about the environment and wildlife. For information, visit wondergardens.org or call 239-992-2591. ¦

Chefs fire up the competitionFEMA delivers late blow to Lee County residents impacted by Hurricane IanSplash into license-free freshwater fishing

MIAMI, Jan. 4, 2024 – JLL Capital Markets announced today that it has arranged $215 million in construction financing for The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay South Tower, which is the first of a multi-phase condominium development located in Bonita Springs, Florida. The property will be the first Ritz-Carlton Residences in Southwest Florida, where there is currently significant brand recognition from two Ritz-Carlton Resorts.

JLL represented the borrower, London Bay, to secure the loan through Bank OZK.

Designed by Arquitectonica with interiors by Meyer Davis, the South Tower will rise 22 stories and feature luxurious unit finishes, first class amenities and unmatched resident services consistent with The Ritz-Carlton brand. The property will consist of two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, averaging 3,430 square feet and offering stunning views of Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The property offers approximately 36,000-square-feet of indoor amenities, including a Wellness Center with fitness, a yoga and Pilates studio, private training rooms and locker rooms with steam and sauna. Adding to the experience, a centrally located, 8,000-square-foot space will present a Sunset Lounge, private dining room, Sports & News Café, Wine & Whiskey Room, card room and demonstration and catering kitchen. Outdoor amenities span five acres of outdoor gardens and amenities, including three pools and a separate lagoon with over-water pavilions.

The Ritz Carlton Residences, Estero Bay is the first residential component to be developed within London Bay’s Saltleaf on Estero Bay (“Saltleaf”), a re-imagined, master-planned residential and golf community connecting over 500 acres in Southwest Florida. In addition to the South Tower’s amenities, residents will benefit from a short walk leading to the 72-slip Saltleaf Marina, which broke ground last spring, and Saltleaf Golf Preserve, a re-imagined 18-hole championship course with a brand new nine-hole short course that opened for play in November 2023.

“As we commence construction of our coastal village of Saltleaf, we thank JLL for their expertise and professionalism and for their role in securing the financing for the first tower, the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay” said Stephen Wilson, Executive Vice President and CFO of London Bay.

The JLL Capital Markets Debt Advisory team was led by Managing Director Brian Gaswirth and Associates Jimmy Calvo and Paul Adams.

“London Bay’s design and development execution of the Saltleaf community and The Ritz-Carlton Residences is a testament to their vision and creativity that is setting a new standard for luxury in Southwest Florida” said Gaswirth. “We’re thrilled to have worked alongside such an incredible London Bay team to help them capitalize this exciting project.”

JLL Capital Markets is a full-service global provider of capital solutions for real estate investors and occupiers. The firm's in-depth local market and global investor knowledge delivers the best-in-class solutions for clients — whether investment sales and advisory, debt advisory, equity advisory or a recapitalization. The firm has more than 3,000 Capital Markets specialists worldwide with offices in nearly 50 countries.

For more news, videos and research resources on JLL, please visit our newsroom.

About JLL

For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500® company with annual revenue of $20.8 billion and operations in over 80 countries around the world, our more than 106,000 employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAY^SM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.

About London Bay

Over the evolution of three decades, London Bay has garnered a reputation as one of Southwest Florida’s leading developers and custom homebuilders. Embracing a vision of creating unparalleled lifestyles realized today through its fully integrated approach to diversified development, inspirational home design and innovative architecture, London Bay is setting a new standard for luxury living in some of Southwest Florida’s premier locations.

About Bank OZK

Bank OZK (Nasdaq: OZK) is a regional bank providing innovative financial solutions delivered by expert bankers with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Established in 1903, Bank OZK conducts banking operations with over 240 offices in eight states including Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, New York, California and Mississippi and had $32.77 billion in total assets as of September 30, 2023. For more information, visit www.ozk.com.