Construction begins on Lehigh Acres' first-ever Chick-fil-A location

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. (WINK)—Developers started construction on Lehigh Acres first-ever Chick-fil-A, exciting neighbors who want to see more restaurants nearby. 

Lee County records show developers filed permits for a 5,614-square foot building at 1110 North Homestead Road. Bowman Consulting Group and Lemonade MM Lehigh Acres, LLC plan to build a Chick-Fil-A with indoor and outdoor seating and multiple drive through lanes.

"We're definitely excited about it," said Elizabeth Marrero, who lives nearby. Marrero and her daughter, Ella, told WINK News they drive to Fort Myers for Chick-fil-A. 

"It's going to be easier now that it's close," Marrero said. 

Bowman Consulting said construction started on Monday and the restaurant should open in late August. The restaurant will have direct access to Ashlar Avenue and North Homestead Road, according to county planning documents. 

Neighborstold WINK News they want to see more retail and sit-down restaurants. Despite rising demand, local restaurants and stores have yet to follow the influx of new families moving to the area.  

WINK News spoke with Jay Johnson, owner of Bubba's Roadhouse & Saloon in Cape Coral and leader of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association's Lee County Chapter. Johnson explained why Lehigh Acres isn't attracting new restaurants despite the growing population.

"I think a lot of it in Lehigh has to do with the demographics and that the people are there, but most of the people that live in Lehigh work in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, and because of that, there's a lack of lunch business, and that has a big part of not being able to support a full-service restaurant," said Johnson.

Johnson noted that restaurant groups and national chains typically look for disposable income, easy access, and other attractions to justify opening a location.

Lee County records indicate commercial projects like Blackstone Corporate Park off State Road 82, Gateway Marketplace near Daniels and Treeline, and Sunniland Town Center at Lee and Sunniland Boulevard are in development. These projects promise new spaces for stores and dining.

"More cultural food, more mom-and-pop shops," Marrero said. "Not only the big man."