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The Islander makes a comeback at Santini

By Nathan Mayberg - Editor | Oct 3, 2024

The Islander is set to reopen at Santini Plaza, two years after it was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. The store will be the first to open at Santini Plaza. Photo provided

The Islander, Gift Gallery & Boutique is poised for a comeback that is about as important as any for Fort Myers Beach. It’s the first store to reopen at the town’s main commercial center – Santini Plaza. The plaza has been closed since Hurricane Ian, undergoing major repairs since.

Anita Cereceda, the town’s first mayor and current chair of the Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency, is reopening the store at Santini Plaza two years to the day that Hurricane Ian swept away her three businesses on the island. Cereceda’s other two businesses – The Pier Peddler and Local Color at Times Square were literally washed away.

Cereceda lost everything that was in the stores. She had no insurance and had to start all over again. She could have left the island where she has spent much of her life since returning from college more than 30 years ago to help run her family’s business – The Pier Peddler.

Yet she stayed. And now her resilience will lead to the first store reopening at Santini Plaza since Hurricane Ian.

“I am the luckiest person on the planet because I have such extraordinary people surrounding me,” Cereceda said.

Anita Cereceda at her store The Islander at its 2017 opening. File photo

“Folks that don’t even live here are sending me encouragement,” she said. Indeed, her Facebook page has been filled with wishes of success for the reopening of The Islander.

“I am deeply, deeply grateful to everyone,” Cereceda said. “A lot of these people I don’t know. They are so extraordinarily supportive. I just hope I don’t let them down.”

The Islander, Gift Gallery and Boutique features women, men and children’s clothing as well as jewelry, housewares, artwork and gifts.

“Everything that people were expecting to see in my stores they will see again,” Cereceda said. “It’s incredible.”

Before Hurricane Ian, Cereceda organized an annual fashion show outside the store in conjunction with Leani’s Casual and Swimwear next door – which is also close to reopening. Cereceda is excited about other stores expected to open at Santini Plaza – which include familiar businesses and new ones.

The opening was originally supposed to happen on the second anniversary of Hurricane Ian until another hurricane named Helene got in the way. Cereceda was anxious about Hurricane Helene but said her storm stayed dry throughout what was technically a tropical storm as far as wind speed. New improvements made to Santini Plaza turned out to hold up well.

Cereceda said she made it her goal to open up by the anniversary of Ian back in March.

The Property Medic, based on Fort Myers Beach, did the buildout for Cereceda to get her store open on time. She has had help from friends and former workers who will be returning to assist her. Former councilmember and friend Rexann Hosafros helped her get ready for the reopening..

“I’ve been working 6:30, 7 in the morning until 7-8 at night,” Cereceda said.

The Islander will open at 9 a.m. on Friday.

Fort Myers Beach Observer Editor Nathan Mayberg can be reached at Nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com