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Nov 1, 2023 | 
gulfshorelife.com | Southwest Floridians |Michael Korb
Along Bonita Springs’ Barefoot Beach, the tranquility of the lapping waves and soft-sand shoreline calls to people from around the world. But you can’t always be on the beach or in the surf—sometimes you need to be inside—and interior designer Renée Gaddis specializes in helping people transition from one to the other beautifully.
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Nov 1, 2023 | 
gulfshorelife.com | Southwest Floridians |Justin Paprocki
The Naples Pier rises again after Hurricane Ian tore apart most of the 1,000-foot structure. The new pier retain much of its charm, with wooden decks running out to pavilions with Polynesian-style roofs. Plans for the nearly $20 million design also call for overlooks with benches along the boardwalk (for all your dolphin spotting, fish catching, and sunset viewing needs), concessions onshore at the entrance, and an accessible ramp that leads to a lower level at the pier’s endpoint.
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Nov 1, 2023 | 
gulfshorelife.com | Southwest Floridians |Andrew Atkins
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, returned to majestic form in July with its long-awaited reopening after being shuttered since May 2021. The renovation and expansion are fitting for the location, which is considered the national crown jewel for The Ritz-Carlton, opening as the second resort for the brand in 1983. Architect Cooper Carry and Parker-Torres Design worked to honor the property’s history while keeping the future in mind.
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Nov 1, 2023 | 
gulfshorelife.com | Southwest Floridians |Justin Paprocki
Animal lovers have a few reasons to rejoice. The Naples Zoo became home to four orangutans from ZooTampa–DeeDee, RanDee, Dira, and Riplee. See the family near the zoo’s new South American Trail exhibit that includes tapir, capybara and toucans. In addition, the zoo’s new-and-improved welcome center opens in spring 2024. For more alfresco fun, check out The Roost at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
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Nov 1, 2023 | 
gulfshorelife.com | Southwest Floridians |Lane Nieset
On the heels of Hermès splashy opening in Naples’ Waterside Shops last year and Trina Turk’s opening this month, a few other big-name boutiques are moving in, including Naples-bred Veronica Beard, California lifestyle brand Jenni Kayne and the Kate Spade co-founded Frances Valentine. Meanwhile, longtime favorite Tory Burch expands her only Southwest Florida locale into 3,000-square-feet of preppy fabulousness.
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Nov 1, 2023 | 
gulfshorelife.com | Southwest Floridians |Emily Flournoy
Inclusivity is a big theme in the local arts world recently. Groups such as Alliance for the Arts lead the conversation. The Fort Myers arts group recently launched their Communities Harnessing the Arts to Nurture and Grow Equity program for artists of color, and opened the Bloom & Wallace Digital Arts Lab to increase digital literacy for all, with programs around podcasting, Photoshop and digital art.
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Nov 1, 2023 | 
gulfshorelife.com | Southwest Floridians |Gina Valentino
Rasit and Ilkay Turk have a lot up their (silk) sleeves this season. The husband-wife team behind the Fort Myers-based luxury silk brand Turk & Turk take customization to the next level, with a new home decor collection and VIP services. The two master the art of bespoke design—their scarves, kimonos, clutches are all one-of-a-kind or limited editions—and wanted to bring the same attention to the home. “If your dresses are couture, why don’t you have your home be couture?” Ilkay muses.
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Nov 1, 2023 | 
gulfshorelife.com | Southwest Floridians |Addison Pezoldt
A pillar in the local theater scene, The Naples Players (TNP) celebrates their 70th season with reimagined productions and monumental upgrades. After breaking ground on their $20 million renovation project in April, the company sets the stage for its exemplary arts hub to redefine the region.
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Nov 1, 2023 | 
gulfshorelife.com | Southwest Floridians |Andrew Atkins
Bonita Springs continues to grow into a veritable culinary and arts destination, and the latest brainchild from the minds of the well-loved Sugarshack Music Channel and Maine-based Brickyard Hollow Brewing Co.—a hybrid music venue and gastropub between the groups—marks the next great chapter in Bonita’s storied history. For Sugarshack founder Eddie Kopp, the space is a place for the community to rally around local talent. “It’s tough to find a good gig around here,” he says.
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Nov 1, 2023 | 
gulfshorelife.com | Southwest Floridians |Lane Nieset
Stepping through District’s fuchsia flower-framed door is like entering an Alice in Wonderland rabbit hole. “We wanted this to be a destination—a choose-your-own-adventure,” co-owner Marty Kenney says of the first components of the five-part concept that began opening in the Naples Design District this summer.
