After numerous setbacks due to permitting and hurricanes Helene and Milton, Keylime Bistro at 11509 Andy Rosse Lane on Captiva Island finally welcomed back guests yearning for its legendary key lime pie and other tropically inspired cuisine on May 24. The SanCap Chamber celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on June 27.
“We are so proud of owner Sandy Stilwell Youngquist for arriving to this peak achievement at the flagship property in her kingdom of Captiva hospitality,” said John Lai, SanCap Chamber president and chief executive officer. “She has set a remarkable example for fellow island businesses to work hard, believe, and endure. Congratulations!”
“The chamber has been invaluable in keeping the business community together and celebrating each opening of businesses,” Youngquist said. “We’ve all been through a lot, and I appreciate having the chamber as our voice to the community.”
Youngquist’s team has been instrumental in supporting the community since the days after Hurricane Ian hit in September 2022 with three boats running workers and residents out to the islands to begin the recovery process.
“Initially, when the hurricane hit, the firemen on the island didn’t have vehicles, so I loaned them my jeep and my S Car Go Trolley that pulls the tram,” said Youngquist. “It was pretty funny to see the first responders running around the island in my Jeep that looks like a snail!”
Since Ian, Youngquist opened a second Keylime Bistro in Boca Grande, which was in the planning before the storm hit. She reopened it last month following Helene and Milton damage. On Captiva, she has also reopened RC Otter’s Island Eats, Cantina Captiva, Sunshine Seafood Café, and two houses and some rooms at Captiva Island Inn. Latte Da Coffee Shop is due to open this summer, and construction on two new inn buildings is set to start later this year. A third iconic Keylime Bistro is under construction at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, expected to be open by November this year.
ABOUT SANCAP CHAMBER
SanCap Chamber is dedicated to promoting the prosperity of its members and preserving the quality of life of our community. The Chamber plays a key role in facilitating communication and cooperation between business, residents, and government to enhance the economic health of the islands. Its website, sanibel-captiva.org, receives over a million visits per year. For more information about the chamber, visit sanibel-captiva.org or contact John Lai, president and CEO, at 239-472-2348 or [email protected].
