The Tarpon Lodge opened in 1926 on Pine Island. PAULETTE LEBLANC<\/p>\n
Tarpon Lodge owner\/manager Rob Wells said storm damage to the Tarpon Lodge in the past 3 years has been extensive. In fact, he said, between the Tarpon Lodge and Cabbage Key, which is also owned by the Wells family, over 13 buildings became flooded.<\/p>\n
\u201cMilton was the highest flood that I have seen since my parents bought Cabbage Key in 1976,\u201d Wells said.<\/p>\n
Many are surprised by this, he said, as Sanibel, Matlacha and Fort Myers Beach got more broadcast attention from storms brought by recent years. Much post-storm cleanup was necessary after Ian, he said, and then again after Milton. At this point, much of his staff are likely to feel they\u2019ve been trained in disaster recovery, he said jokingly. In reality you always have to gamble on what kind of storm is coming, he added, admitting it requires a certain amount of focus. <\/p>\n
Tarpon Lodge will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary throughout 2026, he said, talking about the idea of using the flappers of 1926, as the theme began at the New Year. Most of the 1920s retro flapper theme came from his wife, Jessica, he admits, crediting her with the idea. <\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a lodging perspective, what we hope people feel when they come here is a little bit of a throwback in time-a simpler time-we know we\u2019re not going to be competitive with every big high rise along the Florida coast. We\u2019re actually going to do the opposite. That\u2019s where we think we can be competitive, because with fewer and fewer places like these, places like this seem to stick out in people\u2019s minds as special when they see them. You\u2019re always trying to walk that fine line between trying to show respect to the history of the place and having the new modern conveniences that everybody expects,\u201d Wells said.<\/p>\n
Bokeelia\u2019s Tarpon Lodge drew people to it at a certain time, he said, touching on the unique beauty of Pine Island. It is not like other Florida coastal destinations, Wells pointed out. The general feel, he said, is that it is important to keep Tarpon Lodge the way it is, as the customers are very happy with it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it changed a lot in character, I don\u2019t know that we would attract the same kind of visitors we attract now,\u201d Wells said.<\/p>\n
Wells has repeatedly offered the Tarpon Lodge location to the Beacon of HOPE\u2019s Holiday House at Christmastime. This event, filled with mostly Pine Island business vendors, is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Beacon. Although most might see this as generosity on the part of the Wells family, Wells himself said he sees it as a win for everyone involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe win because we bring a whole lot of people and it raises awareness on the island and out of town to us. So I think it pays us back, moving forward \u2014 we serve a lot of diners and we serve a lot of drinks in the bar on those evenings. We\u2019re able to do something that makes money for the community, raise awareness about the place, make some money along the way, while Holiday House is making money. To me it\u2019s a mutual win\/win. I don\u2019t feel like we\u2019re giving more than we\u2019re getting back at all. In fact, I would like to do it as long as we can do it,\u201d Wells said.<\/p>\n
As long as folks continue to enjoy coming out for the Holiday House experience, Wells said, he foresees the Tarpon Lodge being offered as the event\u2019s location. <\/p>\n
The Tarpon Lodge is at 13771 Waterfront Drive, Bokeelia. For more about the lodge, call \u00a0(239) 283-3999 or visit https:\/\/tarponlodge.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n