Matlacha businesses see boost in sales after bridge construction wraps

MATLACHA, Fla. (WINK)—Business owners say things are looking much better than this time last year as Easter wraps up and spring break season comes to a close.

For neighbors and business owners in Matlacha, the struggle to recover from a natural disaster is all too familiar. Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit the area hard, and businesses told WINK News in the past that they rely on tourists and customers to keep their doors open.

"I mean, it takes a lot out of your pocket to revamp everything after that happens," said Rachel Chalupsky, owner of The Perfect Cup. "And we had such a slow season last year."

But with no major hurricanes hitting Southwest Florida in 2025 and construction on the Little Pine Island Bridge finally complete, sales are looking steadier for businesses on the island. Traffic has been flowing much better, meaning more tourists and customers are coming in to shop and eat.

"It's our best so far in the five years I've been here," Chalupsky said. "We had a lot of Spring Breakers come, especially during the Lee County spring break period. That was probably our busiest week."

"Last year we were like landlocked by an hour and 45-minute traffic in both directions," said William Tidball, owner of CW Fudge Factory. "This year, the max traffic I saw, other than a couple of times when they were doing some power pole or road construction, was 15 minutes. So every day we get closer and closer to one step back to normal."

Business owners want people to know that, regardless of the time of year, they're open and always accepting new and returning customers. The local community has been crucial to keeping businesses afloat during the off-season.

"We try to help each other out," Chalupsky said. "The locals here, they support us in the off-season. They come in and come back in again when there's not tourists, and they keep us going."

"There's lots of new stuff out here," Tidball said. "New businesses are opening. Great restaurants are out here. You haven't been out to Matlacha in a long time. It's a great time to come out and visit us."