Kendall Brandt
•9/18/2026
Small business owners in Cape Coral are facing significant challenges as rising gas prices increase their operational costs and strain their profits. According to AAA, gas prices averaged $4.35 on Thursday, up just over 50 cents from one month ago. Jorge Gutierrez, owner of Grass King, said the cost of filling up his three trucks has skyrocketed. "This truck, I will say it fills for 100 bucks. Now, I can't even fill it with 150," Gutierrez said. Gutierrez said the fuel for the truck is not the only gas he needs. "We have our lawn mowers, the tillers, the weed whackers, the edgers," Gutierrez said. "Almost every piece of equipment we have uses fuel." The rising fuel prices are also affecting prices "Some of my customers are older customers where I still have them at the older prices, and I have never changed just because of respect or whatever I'm eating," Gutierrez said. "The newer customers, I'm just putting them as they come." A study by research firm Vistage found that 70% of small business leaders say fluctuating oil prices have negatively impacted their businesses. Michael Karczewski, owner of Vibrant Pool Pros, said the increased fuel costs are directly affecting his bottom line. "Obviously, the more money we spend on fuel, the less we're making," Karczewski said. "It really hurts the profits." Gutierrez, who offers free lawn mowing services to elderly customers, said the high gas prices are making it hard to help people out. "You got to have it," Gutierrez said. "If it's going to be 10 to $20 a gallon, you're going to end up paying it anyways." According to AAA, West Palm Beach has the most expensive gas in Florida, followed by Naples, with the Fort Myers-Cape Coral region ranking third. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
