A step forward is on the horizon in Fort Myers Beach’s recovery. Times Square may soon welcome its first new building since Hurricane Ian, spearheaded by a local family deeply rooted in the community.
For the first time in three years, there’s tangible progress in Times Square. A local business owner is set to revitalize the site of the former Kilwins Ice Cream, which was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. This could mark the beginning of a larger transformation for Fort Myers Beach.
Since the hurricane, the local planning agency has approved the first new building proposal in Times Square. Carlos Chavez, the property owner and owner of Bella Mozzarella next door, plans to rebuild where Kilwins once stood. His design features a mobile ice cream shop called “Meli’s Ice Cream,” named after his daughter, with two floors above for his family to live in. Chavez said he is ready to start construction once permits are cleared.
The project still requires final approval from the town council. If all goes according to plan, construction could begin by next summer, aiming for a grand opening in early 2027.
“The fact that we’re seeing some progress in Times Square is amazing, but the truth of the matter is that there are [an] enormous number of restrictions that have to go into place in order to try to build something down here. There’s an enormous amount of cost that goes into all that,” said Bill Wagner, co-owner of The Buffalo Grill.
Wagner’s restaurant is located just steps away from the future site of Meli’s Ice Cream, and he sees this development as more than just a new building.
“To see the fact that [a] new structure is going to be going up in Times Square. Hopefully, that’s a catalyst for other things. And we’re, we’re very, very happy,” said Wagner.
The plan still requires two more public hearings before construction can begin, but it already marks a turning point in Fort Myers Beach’s story.