photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
Two old Florida restaurants in Naples, Fort Myers area make statewide best of list

Two old Florida restaurants in Naples, Fort Myers area make statewide best of list

Robyn George and Dave Osborn | Naples Daily News

Hit the road in Florida and you’re bound to run into salty oyster bars, historic waterfront wonders, quirky roadside diners and a fabulous fish camp or two.

Welcome to the Sunshine State, where tastes of old Florida can be found here, there, and everywhere.

The USA TODAY Network Florida Dining & Entertainment team recently compiled a list of charmingly historic, road-trip worthy restaurants you’ll want to jump in your car, boat or golf cart to find.

Of the 16 old Florida finds from Perdido Key to Mayport to West Palm, these two were in our little nook of Southwest Florida:

The Snook Inn, Marco Island
There are waterfront restaurants in Florida, and then there are those that are hurricane-tested. Make that hurricanes.

The Snook Inn endured Hurricanes Wilma (2005), Irma (2017) and Ian (2022), not to mention others that have passed nearby. Yet this cool spot that’s more than 30 years old still stands.

And customers continue to be lured to the island south of Naples by enchanting Gulf breezes and stunning sunsets. They can sip a special drink like the Snook Inn Loaded Bloody Mary and order up a variety of seafood choices, from oysters and grouper to fried calamari to clams, red snapper, shrimp and much more. Find it at 1215 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island; 239-394-3313; snookinn.com

Cabbage Key Bar and Restaurant, off of Pine Island
This boat-access-only gem of an island restaurant and bar is awash in Old Florida history and charm. Dating back to 1944, food and drinks were served in what was then an exclusive island resort in Pine Island Sound. Fast forward to the 1970s and the original home of the island’s owners was converted into an open-air restaurant, while their library became the bar. Today, the latter is known as the Dollar Bill Bar with more than 65,000 customer-signed bills blanketing the walls and ceilings. Famous visitors range from Ernest Hemingway to Julia Roberts.

Besides fresh seafood, this island paradise serves a char-grilled cheeseburger that Jimmy Buffett, who was a frequent guest, may or may not have sung about. And before you get back on the boat, finish your visit to this slice of old Florida with a homemade slice of frozen(!!!) Key lime pie. Accessible only by boat, Cabbage Key is located at Channel Marker 60 in Pine Island Sound, 4.5 miles west of Pineland; 239-283-2278; cabbagekey.com

Still hungry for more? Read on naplesnews.com.

Thousands of new homes being built in SW Florida. What’s happening in Naples, Collier?

Thousands of new homes being built in SW Florida. What’s happening in Naples, Collier?

J. Kyle Foster | Naples Daily News

New home construction continues across Southwest Florida, and in Collier County coincides with two major I-75 interchange updates: at U.S./SR 951 (Exit 101) and the county’s first diverging diamond under construction at Pine Ridge Road (exit 107).

Thousands of homes, single-family and multi-family, have been approved, are in the planning stages or are under construction in the largest county in the state of Florida with 1,997 square miles of land. Most available land is in the north and east, and growth is pushing that way.

What are some of the communities being built or planned in Collier County?
Golden Gate Estates, a vast residential area in eastern Collier County, is still under construction, offering large acreage lots ranging from 1 to over 10 acres. The Golden Gate community is estimated to have a population of about 30,000, according to World Population Review. It has an expected build out of more than 54,000 residents, with a density of about 1 person per acre.

A community called Bellmar made up of three villages, including a whole new town, is proposed and has been approved at the county level for as many as 8,350 homes in east Collier County near Golden Gate Estates. Collier Enterprises has obtained some of the required local and state permits for the rural village east of Golden Gate Estates, the developer still needs what’s known as a Section 404, or wetlands permit, under the Clean Water Act to begin construction.

As many as 2,111 luxury single-family homes and villas may be built along the 951/Collier Boulevard corridor in the communities of Caymas, Seven Shores, Tamarindo and Summerlit – all on the northbound side of Collier Boulevard.

Fiori, Sparrow’s Amberlin South, Savoy, Allegro and Cadenza, Hammock Park, Azalea Park and Ekos will add 2,228 apartments and townhomes to Collier Boulevard.

The list goes on! Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Are you looking for a home in the Naples, Florida area? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Florida Commercial Real Estate Surges on Population Boom & Tax Appeal

Florida Commercial Real Estate Surges on Population Boom & Tax Appeal

What’s Fueling the Boom?

In-migration of high-net-worth residents
South Florida, especially counties like Palm Beach, has welcomed ~90,000 new residents recently. Many are affluent executives and tech professionals relocating in droves over the past few years.

Tax advantages
Florida’s lack of income and estate taxes is proving attractive to businesses and investors. Combined with favorable commercial rent tax cuts (effective October 2025), the state climate supports deep investment.

Market Snapshot
West Palm Beach: Retail occupancy hit record highs—vacancy rates below 3%—as mixed-use developments blend office, residential, and retail needs.

South Florida tri-county (Miami–Dade, Broward, Palm Beach): Commercial real estate volumes jumped 10% in H1 2025 to $5.6 billion, driven by a 110% surge in office and a steady demand for multifamily and retail assets.

The Self‑Sustaining Growth Cycle
The inflow of well-paid professionals triggers demand for upscale office space, dining, retail, and housing. This has sparked a virtuous cycle: companies follow their employees, integrated developments thrive, and investment continues.

Read about large companies moving into Florida, and the effects for the Naples area on naplesnewsnow.com.

Are you looking for a home in the Naples, Florida area? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Exclusive photos: RSW’s historic terminal expansion progressing, offers glimpse to future

Exclusive photos: RSW’s historic terminal expansion progressing, offers glimpse to future

Mark H. Bickel | Andrew West

Travelers flying into and out of Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) are getting something a little extra these days. And they didn’t have to pay for it.

They are witnessing the future of the Fort Myers airport as it begins to take shape.

In just a few short months there have been dramatic changes to the place that serves as a gateway to “paradise” for the millions of people who travel here annually.

The beginnings of a skeleton of what will become Concourse E has already had a dramatic impact on the look of the airport. Towering cranes are the dominant machinery on the construction site.

The is second phase of the expansion, which started in October 2024 and is the centerpiece of this expansion project.

Work is also taking place inside the terminal at all three levels, including a new ticketing lobby and bag claim area, as well as a new baggage handling system, for the new concourse.

Read the full article on newspress.com.

Flying into RSW for a house hunting visit to Southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

What kind of house can you buy for $26M in Naples? This kind. And it’s stunning.

What kind of house can you buy for $26M in Naples? This kind. And it’s stunning.

Mark H. Bickel | Naples Daily News

A Naples home is No. 1 on the list for most expensive single-family property transfers in Collier County from June 1-30.

The property, located at 3200 Gin Lane in the Port Royal neighborhood, sold for $26,400,000. The list price was $29,450,000. It has six bedrooms and eight bathrooms.

Following are the Top 10 real estate sales in Collier County recorded for June 2025:

(Data provided by Royal Shell Real Estate)

1. 3200 Gin Lane, Naples
List price: $29,450,000
Sold price: $26,400,000
Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal
Size: 8,943 square feet
Year built: 2024
Days on market: 181
Amenities: Bayfront, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Outdoor Fireplace
View: Bay

Read the full list of most expensive single-family property transfers in Collier County from June 1-30 on naplesnews.com.

Are you seeking a luxury home in the Naples – Bonita Springs, Florida area? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.