Lu-Lu’s Solitary Consignment Shop to celebrate second anniversary
Lulu’s Solitary Consignment shop owner Luann Scimeca was looking for a way to celebrate the second anniversary at her North Fort Myers shop. A customer then came in, with an unusual request. She asked for donations of stuffed animals and receiving blankets, for local monkeys.
The woman was a volunteer with TLC Primate Retreat, a North Fort Myers-based non profit organization that houses more than 100 monkeys, many weighing a pound or less.
The Executive Director is Linda Loethen, whose cause has been growing for over the last decade.
“My husband bought me a monkey for Christmas about 15 years ago. I always loved monkeys, and I wanted to learn as much as I could about them. Then I learned there really wasn’t that much information available on their care at that time.”
She decided to research. “We found a veterinarian, her name is Dr. Margaret Wissman, out of the Tampa area. I drove there three days a week for about five to six years to volunteer with her at her sanctuary, to learn what I could. I cleaned cages, did whatever they needed, to get more information. She is still my vet today.”
Now, years later, Loethen runs her own retreat, with a current monkey guest list that totals well over 100.
The retreat is not open to the public, Loethen said, “We don’t give tours. We do take volunteers after heavy screenings. It’s all about taking care of these monkeys.”
She said a goal is to help propagate and maintain endangered species, of which she has several. She does breed and sell some of the babies, but only to a select few. But with so many monkeys, she is always looking for donations to help off-set her non profit cause.
Lulu’s Shop owner Scimeca has decided to collect donations for the retreat through Aug. 24, with a special event featuring Loethen and some of her primate charges on Saturday, July 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. “Some of the monkeys have already been at the shop,” said Scimeca. “They were adorable.”
Loethen and her monkeys will mingle with customers at that event. “She will also be on hand to educate about her animals at her non profit organization. I want to support the good work of TLC Primate Retreat,” said Scimeca.
If you miss what promises to be a fun event at the shop, you can donate anytime now through Aug. 24. Cash donations are always welcome due to the high cost of food for the primates, said Loethen. But other items are needed and there is a donation box at the shop.
Preferred items include:
Food items: “Our monkeys get five different fruits, five different veggies, a protein, a pasta and a treat in their meals each day,” said Loethen.
Non perishable items are preferred. They last longer, she said.
Favorites:
Animal Crackers
Small marshmallows
Cereals (including Fruit Loops, Coco Puffs, Oats and Honey, Sugar Snaps and Cheerios)
Gummy Bears or any gummy candy
Dried fruit such as cranberries and apricots
Gift Certificates: From any grocer or pet stores
Baby formulas: preferred Enfamil Baby Formula (powder)
Baby Foods (fruits only)
Scimeca’s Lulu’s Solitary Consignment shop is in the North Shore Shopping Plaza, that houses Big Lots.
Lulu’s specializes in name brand ladies clothing and accessories, and also carries jewelry and unique decorating items.
A Cape Coral resident, Scimeca designed the store to reflect a wide range of must-haves and unique clothing and specialty items. She also offers a Frequent Shopper discount.
Lulu’s Solitary Consignment is at 13860-B N. Cleveland Ave. and hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The phone number is 656-0990.
For information on TLC Primate Retreat, call Loethen at 633-8665 or e-mail to tlcprimateretreat@embarqmail .com.