BAILEY’S GENERAL STORE

Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel reported that its reconstruction project continues to move forward.

At the July 16 Sanibel City Council meeting, a building permit was approved for Bailey’s Shopping Center, which includes the store. The Bailey family said this was the culmination of their years of planning and preparation efforts to rebuild responsibly and resiliently for the future.

“It is important to the Bailey family that the reconstruction is carried out carefully and with the community in mind, because all people who will visit Bailey’s center again in the future the family shared. “This approval comes at just the right time for Bailey’s General Store’s 125th anniversary in 2024.”

To help the public understand the business’s future plans, the family provided a brief historical overview.

“Originally located in 1899 at Matthews’ Wharf in San Carlos Bay, Bailey’s was the one-stop shop for all goods and shipping, as well as the reception point for visitors and residents of Sanibel and Captiva when they arrived by ferry,” they shared. “After Bailey’s first replica building was blown away by a hurricane in the early 1900s, Frank P. Bailey was only able to recover the safe found in San Carlos Bay.”

BAILEY’S GENERAL STORE

The family reported that he rebuilt the company as the Sanibel Packing Company on the property next to the wharf, which was the boldest decision at the time. The second iteration of Bailey’s and “new shop”, as he called it, was rebuilt facing the bay. The third iteration was built at Tarpon Bay Road and Periwinkle Way to reach inland and improve storm resistance.

“When this building replaced the second store, it was moved to the Sanibel Historical Village and Museum, where it is located today,” they shared. “Interestingly, the newly renovated exhibits after Hurricane Ian are worth a visit for history buffs.”

As for what visitors to the future mall can expect, the family explains that the biggest change will be the elevated buildings without the historic gas station. After Ian flooded the store, their biggest disappointment was that they were unable to serve the community in the immediate aftermath. The center’s redesign will relocate the main building to the southeast corner, allowing space for more parking and functionality, along with a vestibule for loading groceries during inclement weather.

The shops will be accessible to the public via elevators or stairs. Charging stations for electric vehicles will also be re-installed.

In addition to Bailey’s General Store, the center will also provide lease space for restaurants, retail and other services to the island community. The family reported that while some of the former businesses will reopen, other popular restaurants and retailers at the center will not be able to resume operations.

The family provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

– Will it be increased?

Yes, the mast will be raised to prevent future flooding and to ensure a quick return to business after hurricanes.

– Will the restaurant areas in the outparcel be remodeled?

Yes, the former tenant has announced that he will not return.

– When will Bailey’s reopen?

As soon as we can rebuild, rehire and reopen. That will probably be years away.

Because the project will be one of the largest redevelopment projects on Sanibel and is expected to take approximately two years to complete, the family applied to the Sanibel Planning Commission for a smaller temporary location at the Rabbit Road Center on Rabbit Road and recently received approval. The next steps for “A little Baileys” includes the renovation of the premises to meet the needs of a grocery store.

The provisional opening date is the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

A Bit of Bailey’s will offer many of the same products available at the Bailey family’s Captiva store, The Island Store. The family noted that the larger space will allow for an expanded offering of fresh products. However, since there is no large commercial kitchen and bakery, newly hired staff will try to offer as many products as possible with the space and equipment available.

“Customers can look forward to seeing some of their favorite products, including fresh guacamole and salsa, chicken salad and other deli salads, fresh produce and prepared fruits and vegetables, hot meals and the return of small-scale dining,” they shared. “The full offering includes the famous coffee bar, bakery, full-service deli, fresh produce, butcher shop, fish market, dry goods, beer and wine.”

The family thanked its previous partners in the reconstruction project, including Benchmark General Contractors, GMA Architects & Planners, JR Evans Engineering, Delisi Land Use Planning & Water Policy, Coastal Vista Landscape Architects and UNFI.

“The temporary loss of Bailey’s had such an impact on the community that WGCU created a documentary to tell the story of the island’s recovery from the perspective of the historic store,” they added.

The premiere will take place on October 21st at 6 p.m. at BIG ARTS on Sanibel.

For more information about tenant space at the center, please contact [email protected].