As Sanibel Island continues its hurricane recovery journey, the SanCap Chamber recently cut the ribbon to celebrate the reopening of Driftwood Inn at 711 Donax Street on Tuesday, Oct. 31, and Trademark Roofing at 1149 Periwinkle Way, Unit 2, on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
“The Driftwood Inn is a small boutique inn with a passion for the beauty of Sanibel Island,” said Kim O’Brien, owner of Breakaway Vacation Properties, which manages Driftwood, along with other island rentals. “We want to share our unique tropical lifestyle. We promise warm hospitality, a safe and modern accommodation, and a décor that expresses the rich history and wildlife of the island.”
A five-minute walk from the beach, Driftwood Inn comprises four two-bedroom cottages with queen-size beds, two full baths, a pull-out sleeper sofa, and a screened lanai. They each sleep six. It officially reopened Sep. 28 upon the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian.
“The cottages are very well built,” said O’Brien. “They were not a teardown, but we gutted them completely and rebuilt. Everything is brand-new.” The inn is currently running at a 92 percent occupancy rate with homeowners returning to monitor their properties and construction executives checking in. O’Brien anticipates 100 percent occupancy for season as previous guests return for their annual visits.
“It’s always a good day when we can welcome more rooms back to the island accommodations inventory,” said John Lai, SanCap Chamber president and CEO. “We especially love seeing the return of our small inns, so iconic of the charm and warmth Sanibel is known for. Kudos to Kim and Breakaway.”
“The chamber has been instrumental in not only helping Breakaway Vacation Properties and places like the Driftwood Inn recover, but they are guiding guests on where to stay and what to expect,” said O’Brien. “Sanibel and Captiva are so unique and special, unlike anywhere in the world. The positivity we have felt from the chamber, visitors, workers, and fellow homeowners is just beautiful and incredibly uplifting.”
Trademark Roofing has been operating in Cape Coral since 2016. Before Ian, it conducted a lot of business on the island for commercial, residential, and new construction roofing services.
“After the storm the demand went ‘through the roof!’” said CEO Tristan Starbird. “Our company philosophy is to continue to grow where we are needed and wanted most. Sanibel became a popular spot, and the more work we have done on the island, the more demand it has created. We see great value being an on-island business. The community is tight-knit, and we have been welcomed with open arms.”
Trademark prides itself on individualized service and excellent workmanship and communication with customers for homeowners and builders alike.
“It’s great to welcome a roofing contractor office right on-island,” said Lai. “Now, businesses and homeowners can enjoy the experience of a long-time, respected roofing firm along with the convenience and confidence of supporting an island business.”
“We appreciate all the efforts the chamber has put forth to help businesses reopen and open new locations,” said Starbird. “The positive press has been helpful, and the networking has been invaluable. We are committed to be the roofer of first choice on the island. We are committed to the communities we work in and we are excited to grow on the island with the folks who live there.”
ABOUT SANCAP CHAMBER
The SanCap Chamber of Commerce 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 1.3 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].
