published in the Gasparilla Gazette 8/27/09
Island Bike ‘n Beach, located at 333 Park Avenue, remains open during the off-season on Boca Grande. Photo copyright the Gasparilla Gazette.
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Business on Gasparilla Island typically slows down from the gallop of the May through July tarpon fishing season to a soft trot in August and September, the height of the off-season. Though a number of businesses stay open year-round, several close up shop during this time, this year being no exception.
However, the area's chamber of commerce hopes to begin attracting more international travelers during the quiet summer months as well as encourage local businesses to remain open, steps Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce Director Lynda Lancaster says will take some of the summer strain off the local economy in coming years.
"I can see a small beginning already taking place," Lancaster said. "It will grow exponentially if it's done right."
Business typically picks back up later in the year, but Lancaster sees lowered summertime prices on things like clothes, food and rental properties-prudent economical adjustments for many business owners-as an attraction to visitors.
Many European families, she said, enjoy visiting Boca Grande in the summer, and the chamber hopes to attract more of these families.
Additionally, Florida natives in nearby areas such as Sarasota, Englewood and Fort Myers are "staycationing" on the island, enjoying the tropical atmosphere of Boca Grande as opposed to traveling out of state at an increased cost.
"The economy, even though it seems dire, has been a plus for us this summer," Lancaster said. "People can drive just 20 minutes and they're on an island adventure that feels like a different area of the world. I think we could have a lot of return business."
Boca Grande has a lot to offer the visitor and resident alike, such as fishing, kayaking, local culture and a pristine natural environment. Though Lancaster believes more businesses staying open in the summertime would help the economy by attracting more return visitors, there were a number of businesses which did remain open this year.
"The Pink Elephant (Restaurant) stayed open all summer," Lancaster said.
"They've been very busy. There are still quite a few (businesses) that are open and my hat's off to them for doing that. It's part of what keeps the community alive."
Rita Proffitt manages Island Bike 'n Beach, one of the businesses which remains open year-round. The shop sells clothing and other items, while also renting golf carts and renting and repairing bicycles.
"I've had some kind of regular customers that have started coming in this summer that do know we're open," Proffitt said. "Our summer business is almost like a little tiny mini-season of people from the state of Florida. They're from Lakeland, Orlando, Tampa, Miami. People are starting to find the island. They never even knew this place existed and they love it. I just think it would help everybody if more places were open."
According to Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Director Jim Cooper, the number of cash-paying visitors to the island as of Aug. 25 by comparison to August of last year is up by 1,000. That number equates to the total number of vehicles that pay cash tolls rather than use bridge transponders, meaning those making infrequent trips to the island or visitors.
July saw 225 additional cash-paying vehicles. However, commercial vehicles crossing the bridge are down by 50 percent this year, and bridge traffic overall from January to July is down by 1.8 percent.
"If you consider what the economy's been like, that's not too significant," Cooper said. "It's not as big an impact as a lot of people had thought. I think part of that has to do with the fact the weather's been good here, the fishing's been good, there's no red tide, and the beaches are nice."
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