Cape Shopping Centers attracting major tenents
Cape Coral’s economic development continues to flourish, particularly in the commercial construction projects currently under way across the city.
Several projects represent the first business presence in Cape Coral. That’s particularly the case for sports bar restaurant Buffalo Wild Wings, MedExpress Urgent Care Center, Aspen Dental, and Mattress One in various stages of construction on Pine Island Road in front of Sam’s Club.
“It’s filling up nice, but I’m not sure which space is which business,” said Dana Brunett, city Economic Development director. “We’re always striving for the higher paying jobs and medical usually pays better. We’ll just keep banging away.”
A recent groundbreaking took place on Del Prado Boulevard in the front of Coralwood Mall, which has filled retail space remodeled in the building formerly occupied by Kmart and Sears. Ulta Beauty and Beall’s Outlet have opened their doors to the public in recent months while Home Goods is scheduled to open March 13.
The latest groundbreaking was used as an overflow parking lot facing Del Prado between the mall’s main entrance road and Sun Trust Bank to the north. The mall is constructing general retail space without any committed occupants at this time.
“I think it’s just general retail space with no specific tenant at this point,” said Brunett.
MedExpress Urgent Care has 15 local centers in Florida, the closest being in Lehigh Acres.
“MedExpress is excited to be joining Cape Coral,” said company spokesperson Annie Jamison. “Many factors went into the decision, but Cape Coral seemed like a welcoming community where our health care services will be a nice fit.”
MedExpress offers multiple full-service and walk-in urgent care at its 168 facilities in 14 states. That includes everyday injury and health treatment, employee health services such as worker’s comp cases, and basic wellness programs.
“We’re looking at opening sometime in the spring,” said Jamison.
The centers operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week. MedExpress is based in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Buffalo Wild Wings, based in Minneapolis, Minn., has grown from one restaurant opened in 1982 in Columbus, Ohio, to more than 1,080 locations. There are two local locations in Fort Myers and Bonita Springs and is getting close to opening in Cape Coral.
Aspen Dental has five offices in Southwest Florida, including one each in Port Charlotte, Naples and Estero, and two in Fort Myers.
Mattress One operates more than 150 stores in Florida and, more recently, Houston, Texas. Area stores are located in Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Port Charlotte and Naples.