Busy season brings mixed results for Collier restaurants

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — As tourism season begins to wind down in Collier County, the county saw an increase in visitors. Some local businesses say that doesn’t always mean customers are walking through the door.

From busy roads to packed hotspots like Fifth Avenue and Mercato, Southwest Florida is cooling down. But when it comes to sales, business owners say the reality can look very different depending on where you go.

At Spanky’s Speakeasy, a longtime family-owned restaurant, owner Emily Monty said this season felt strong at times but ultimately didn’t live up to expectations.

“This season was great. However, it was still slightly down from years past,” Monty said.

Monty estimates the restaurant is down about five percent compared to previous seasons. She says rising costs and shifting consumer habits are making it harder to turn foot traffic into actual sales.

“The roads were busy. There were a lot of people out, but they just weren’t dining,” she said.

That uncertainty is especially concerning as businesses prepare for the slower summer months.

“The last two years have been the most challenging ever, so it’s very worrisome going into another summer,” Monty added.

But just a few miles away, businesses at Mercato are seeing a different outcome.

At Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar, General Manager AJ Araujo said this season has been an improvement over last year, with sales up about five to six percent.

“We’ve definitely increased ourselves since last year… we’ve seen that foot traffic increase,” Araujo said.

He credits events, promotions, and community engagement for attracting customers, especially during busy periods like spring break.

“It’s really just getting out there, offering samples, getting our name out there. I think that’s really helped increase that foot traffic,” he said.

Still, even businesses seeing growth expect a slowdown as the season comes to an end. Many are now shifting their focus to summer, adjusting hours, offering deals, or finding new ways to attract locals.

“Support those small businesses, get everyone through summer, and keep things going, because that's what makes Naples the gem it is,” Monty said.