Congratulations to MacIntosh Books + Paper, Sanibel, Fla. After the bookstore's location and most of its inventory was destroyed in September 2022 by Hurricane Ian, it reopened temporarily with several other businesses in nearby Fort Myers for a year. The store has been rebuilding on Sanibel Island, however, at a new location in Heart of the Islands shopping center, and is now open for business as it continues construction, with a full opening planned for the fall, reported the Santiva Chronicle.
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| (photo: SanCap Chamber of Commerce) | |
"I'm thrilled to bring it back to Sanibel after Hurricane Ian and usher it into its next evolution," said Rebecca Binkowski, who purchased MacIntosh in 2017. "It is the very definition of a community bookstore. It feels amazing to be home and part of the recovery. We heal through sharing our stories and listening to one another. Every business that opens creates a safe space for learning more about what we need from one another to get back to 'normal.' We're giving each other hope, and hope is everything!"
John Lai, SanCap Chamber president and CEO, said, "What would Sanibel Island be without a bookshop? And Rebecca is the ideal of the community's independent, small-business model. The island seemed incomplete without the MacIntosh tradition and Rebecca and her ready willingness to participate in events and celebrations to support the community."
Binkowski thanked the Chamber for its help, saying, "The chamber meetings were such an essential way to connect with others in the business community while we were in Fort Myers. John and the board checked on us, offered us tools to get the word out about our interim location, and helped keep our spirits up. I'm grateful for their support."
Current hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.