Reporter: Brinkley Hill
•7/13/2026
SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. (WINK)—The community came together to celebrate and support Sanibel Island as the Love Sanibel Back initiative continues its third year.
Families from all over Florida came hearing about Love Sanibel Back through friends, family and social media.
Love Sanibel Back started after Hurricane Ian as a way to remind people the local businesses needed support too. The initiative is now a favorite for locals and visitors.
"We've already had over 500 people through our door, just for collecting the maps for the Shell Stroll. And it's been fun to see people who said, 'I've never been in your store before. I came here specifically for this event,'" said Sarah Jacobson, co-owner of Bubbly Latitude.
The first of it's kind Shell Stroll scavenger hunt featured 40 business. Families got a stamp for ever business they visited, having to hit at least 10 stores on the list to win a prize. The participants often shopped and supported the businesses along the way.
"It's actually been a really amazing experience. Um, people have been so kind. People are excited to have businesses be back, and they really are loving Sanibel back," Jacobson said.
The Bubbly Latitude was supposed to open in 2022. Hurricane Ian struck two days before the opening.
Jacobson and her co-owner opened in Fort Myers instead with seven other Sanibel businesses, moving to the island in late 2024. Jacobson said the store wouldn't be open without shoppers and customers, whether local or visiting.
"We really appreciate each and every person," Jacobson said. "Our store can't be here without our shoppers and our customers, whether you're local or whether you come from another state, and thank you for loving us back."
For one local student, Hurricane Ian destroyed her favorite place in the whole world.
"It was really sad at first 'cause I saw my home, like, just come down into pieces. But eventually it did build back up, and I feel like it's even greater than before, and it's so much fun," Eliana said.
Eliana goes to school on the island and loves to visit in the summer, on the weekends, and for events live Love Sanibel Back's Shell Stroll.
" I love getting more people to come down here, meeting new people, making new friends. It's really amazing."
Kelly Gelsomino's family has been coming to Sanibel Island for over 40 years, she grew up coming on Memorial and Labor Day with her family. this summer, she brought her friends and their kids all the way from Fort Lauderdale, just for Love Sanibel Back's shell stroll.
"We're starting to see all the life and the support, and everybody is so friendly and so excited to have the guests back on the island, and we're excited to be here this summer, which we don't typically do," Gelsomino said.
Gelsomino shared the Love Sanibel Back initiative with her friend's through social media.
"We booked a hotel yesterday, and we all just kind of were like, 'Yep, we're going, and we're doing it.' And spontaneous trip, and we're excited. Like, we've already supported the businesses," Jeni Starkey said.
There are three weeks of Love Sanibel Back left. The initiative supports not only local shops but also nature and wildlife on the island.
Next week is Wild Mile Week. There will be special events and offers each day where families can support Tarpon Bay, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge and CROW.
