photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
Waterfront Naples fine-dining spot makes Southern Living ‘most legendary’ restaurants list

Waterfront Naples fine-dining spot makes Southern Living ‘most legendary’ restaurants list

Dave Osborn | Naples Daily News

A Naples restaurant left heavily damaged from Hurricane Ian in 2022 has written its own comeback story, reopening earlier this year.

Now the regional lifestyle magazine Southern Living has named the popular and resilient waterfront Turtle Club to its list of “most legendary” restaurants in Florida.

What did Southern Living say about Florida restaurants?

Southern Living earlier this month named “Florida’s 17 Most Legendary Restaurants.”

“It’s no secret that Florida restaurants are good at keeping their doors open,” the article said.

“The Sunshine State has seen countless hurricanes, watched rockets soar into space from its shores, and served coffee through the Cuban missile crisis. Through it all, Florida restaurants continue to survive and thrive, keeping residents and visitors satiated and coming back for more.”

And the only Southwest Florida one to make the list was the Turtle Club, 9225 Gulf Shore Drive.

‘Dine with your toes in sugar-like sand’
The Southern Living story raved about how, despite a powerful blow from the Category 4 Ian, Turtle Club had a “slow and careful comeback.”

Read the full article on naplesnews.com to find out what other 16 Florida restaurants made the list.

Naples secures $31.5 million for local projects in state budget, including the Naples Pier

Naples secures $31.5 million for local projects in state budget, including the Naples Pier

Laura Layden | Naples Daily News

Naples has secured $31.5 million for a trio of projects in next year’s state budget.

The budget, signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, includes:

  • $25 million for a new coastal stormwater management system
  • $5 million for the rebuild of Naples Pier
  • $1.5 million for lake restoration

City manager Jay Boodheshwar shared the good news via email, saying the city is “extremely grateful to the governor” for approving the funding.

However, he noted the city didn’t get all of its projects approved, which came as a disappointment.

Jay Boodheshwar, Naples city manager
The governor vetoed funding for two of the city’s projects, as part of his larger efforts to trim the budget state lawmakers sent him.

Across the board, DeSantis cut about $1 billion in projects and programs from the budget, reducing it to about $116.5 billion.

In the city Naples, the cuts included:

  • $1 million to address flooding issues and improve water quality by replacing existing septic systems with centralized wastewater systems
  • $3 million to help improve resiliency against sea level rise and to reduce the threat of storm surge for the River Park East community, including Anthony Park.

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

This waterfront Naples restaurant is on HGTV Friday night

This waterfront Naples restaurant is on HGTV Friday night

Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News

Set your DVR: Nosh on Naples Bay will be featured on HGTV’s “My Lottery Dream Home” at 9 p.m. Friday, June 7.

The restaurant is owned by Chef Todd Johnson and his wife Dana.

Chef Todd Johnson and his wife Dana own Nosh on Naples Bay.
The premise: Host David Bromstad takes recent lottery winners on “over-the-top house hunts for their new dream homes,” according to HGTV.

Bromstad is no stranger to Southwest Florida. An episode showcasing Cape Coral as a dream destination for newly minted millionaires aired Aug. 25. Bromsted’s HGTV bio notes he’s an alum of the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota who won HGTV’s “Design Star” debut season in 2006.

The episode featuring Nosh is titled “The Gold Lady of Naples.”

HGTV’s descriptor says, “After already spending over $5 million on her dream lake house in Wisconsin, a woman now asks David to find a dream vacation home in Naples, Florida. She’s bringing her sister along as David looks for super-bougie properties in luxury golfing communities.”

Where does she find her super-bougie home?

You’ll have to watch and let us know if she’s your new neighbor.

Where does she celebrate?

Nosh.

Read on naplesnews.com.

Plans for a 200-mile route from Collier County to Florida’s heartland by FDOT

Plans for a 200-mile route from Collier County to Florida’s heartland by FDOT

The Florida Department of Transportation is developing the Collier to Polk Regional path Master Plan, which aims to establish a multi-use path spanning about 200 miles through the counties of Collier, Hendry, Glades, Highlands, Hardee, and Polk.

The regional path will cross a variety of landscapes, connecting small towns, parks, preserves, heritage sites, and animal corridors. This vast project aims to boost economic and nature-based tourism throughout Florida’s Heartland, an area rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage.

The trail network will include key Collier County locations such as Big Cypress National Preserve and Collier-Seminole State Park, as well as local attractions like Baker Park and Gordon River Greenway Park, according to a recent article by Alexa Velez of NBC2.

Read more on naplesnewsnow.com.

New stores and restaurants headed to Mercato in 2024

New stores and restaurants headed to Mercato in 2024

By Naples News Now | June 4, 2024

Mercato, the popular mixed-use development in North Naples, is welcoming several exciting new additions to its dining and shopping lineup in 2024.

Birch Lane
Wayfair is opening a new Birch Lane furniture store at Mercato this summer, taking over the former 9,994-square-foot space of Z Gallerie. Birch Lane is a specialty brand from Wayfair that curates a selection of timeless home furnishings, seasonal decor, and classic anchor pieces.

Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar
Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar, a Florida-based casual dining concept, is targeted to open in the former AZN Azian Cuizine space at the end of June or beginning of July. Tap 42 will bring its expansive bar, boozy brunch offerings, and popular American fare like calamari towers and baby back ribs to Mercato.

Waxin’s
Shortly after Tap 42’s opening, Waxin’s, an upscale Swedish-American restaurant and bar, plans to launch in the former space of The Counter custom burger bar. Waxin’s is known for its classic Swedish and American cuisines, particularly its signature Swedish meatballs.

Beeline Ales & Spirits
Beeline Ales & Spirits, an upscale cocktail bar concept from Cincinnati-based 4EG (Four Entertainment Group), is coming to Mercato near the end of 2024. The 4,000-square-foot space at 9115 Strada Place, Suite 5155 will offer patrons a unique selection of craft cocktails, ales, and spirits. Beeline focuses on providing an elevated cocktail lounge experience with a curated drinks menu. Construction is anticipated to start this summer, with an expected opening in late 2024.

Read on for more on naplesnewsnow.com.

 

Is Naples really the best place to live? What it costs to survive in ‘Best Place to Live’

Is Naples really the best place to live? What it costs to survive in ‘Best Place to Live’

Kendall Little | Naples Daily News

Naples was named the best place to live in America by U.S. News and World Report this year. The report said the city’s low crime rate, desirability, and quality of life all contributed to its number-one ranking.

But how much money do you need to make to live in Naples? Is Naples, a city of 20,000 people in the third largest state in America, a realistic place to live for many people?

Here’s what we know about the cost of living in Naples.

How much does it cost to live in Naples?
Living in Collier County can be pricey, especially if you’re looking for a spot closer to the urban coast. Naples and Marco Island are wealthy cities where the cost of living is higher than in more rural inland areas.

Property taxes are high in Naples compared to unincorporated Collier County, as the local municipality depends on them for revenue.

BestPlaces says to live comfortably in Naples, a family needs a minimum income of $200,520 annually. The recommended minimum income for a single person in Naples is $62,000.

According to the 2022 Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Occupational Employment Statistics, and Wages, 35% of Collier jobs pay less than $35,000 per year. Around 58% of Collier jobs pay less than $45,000 per year.

Naples’ rent is higher than the national and state average for two-bedroom units at $1,890 per month. The national average is $1,430 and the state average is $1,560. Though some sites list Naples’ average rent anywhere from $1,900 to $2,200.

Groceries, houses, and healthcare all tend to be more expensive in Naples.

What is considered house poor in Naples?
House poor is a term used to describe when an individual or a family is only making enough to provide necessities. It refers to families that spend 30% or more of their gross income on housing costs.

For instance, if you’re making $62,000 annually and you spend $1,550 or more per month on rent, you’re considered house poor.

How does Naples compare to Florida’s average cost of living?
Does Naples have affordable housing?
Why was Naples awarded Best Place to Live?
How does Naples’ cost of living compare to the second best place to live?

Get the answers in the full article on naplesnews.com.

Looking for a home in Naples, “the best place to live”? Contact David at 239-285-1086 or David@DavidFlorida.com