This summer has proven to be more than just a hot season for Fifth Avenue South in Naples. A sizzling renaissance of sorts is sweeping through the main street attraction at the heart of the city.
Riding the wave of niche brands in the retail industry, about 10 new stores recently opened or are opening soon along the historical stretch to the Gulf bustling with fine dining, extravagant shops, posh offices and luxurious residences.
At the center of it all are two recently redeveloped corners book-ending Fifth Avenue South and Fifth Street South. Both new buildings have retail spaces at the street level with two floors of lavishly appointed condominiums above.
Local entrepreneur Phil McCabe, creator of the Inn on Fifth, recently completed The Residences at 5th and 5th, a redevelopment project that had a controversial start over its underground parking plans. The stately structure’s architecture rounds the corner and extends to the sidewalk, closing a gap which previously featured a stretch of one-story eateries set back for al fresco dining.
The 11 residential units at 5th and 5th already have sold out because of their attention to detail and the top-tier amenities they provide, said Bruce Barone Jr., who is looking forward to his third season as executive director of the Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District, an organization that provides a cohesive voice for the avenue’s property owners and merchants. Expect the same meticulous execution by Mr. McCabe for the retail shops below.
“He’s being very methodical with who he’s bringing in,” Mr. Barone said.
Coming this month on the ground level at 5th and 5th is Gelato & Co. Cremeria Italiana, a business based in Italy opening its second location in the United States. The dessert bar features many flavors of gelato and sorbet as well as scratch-made Italian cakes and pastries such as cannoli, panna cotta and tiramisu.
A Parisian women’s retail store is coming to the space next to Gelato & Co., said Joe McCabe, vice president of project development at Gulf Coast Commercial Corp. and a member of the Business Improvement District’s board of directors. Expect more retailers below The Residences at 5th and 5th on the northwest corner at Fifth Street as well as at 505 on Fifth, the mixed-use complex on the northeast corner.
“There’s been significant interest to be in both of those buildings,” Mr. Barone said. “The whole point is to bring the right players because we recognize that is going to really transform the west end of the avenue.”
Bluemercury beauty products retailer and spa recently opened to anchor 505 on Fifth, a modern three-story building that replaced a single-story strip that had businesses such as Oh My Gauze! clothing store and Adelheidi’s ice cream shop, both of which relocated nearby.
Blue-mercury was drawn to the Fifth Avenue South market because it saw other high-end niche retailers there that match their successful brand in serving the demand of mostly affluent clientele. In turn, the Macy’s-owned chain can be a catalyst to attract similar types of businesses to Fifth Avenue South, Mr. Barone said.
“If you look at the example of Blue-mercury, that’s a major corporate brand out of New York City,” he said. “They are trying to identify areas, especially historic districts, they find very attractive and then on top of that, identifying places that can essentially cater to their market.”
Paint Nail Bar is coming soon to a unit next to Blue-mercury. She She on 5th Blow Dry Loft recently launched in a second-floor unit near the Third Street South intersection.
Other new tenants on Fifth include Sanibel Sunglass Co., which opened in the Wind in the Willows building on the corner of Eighth Street. Butterfly Beach Clothing is targeted to land Nov. 1 at 850 Fifth Ave. S., formerly Island Trends resort wear, which relocated to an expanded shop on Marco Island.
Local residents David and Jerrilyn Hoffmann have made a significant investment and a huge impact on Fifth Avenue South in the last few years, Mr. Barone said.
“They’ve been a tremendous, tremendous asset, and not only in purchasing property but also adding another visual layer to the street with the statuary, investment in infrastructure for our town,” he said. “They create a vibrancy that I don’t think Fifth has enjoyed for a while.”
The new design center for Sunmaster of Naples opened in the Hoffmann Executive Suites building at 659 Fifth Ave. S. Last year, the Hoffmanns purchased the 50-year-old local company that designs and manufactures custom canvas awnings, metal gates and screens for storm protection and security. Kaleidoscope Home & Floral is targeted to open Oct. 1, expanding into another Hoffmann building on Fifth that includes Sails Restaurant on the corner of Third Street South.
Between Sails and Kaleidoscope, the Sails crew plans to launch another upscale dining concept next summer in the former offices of Engle Dentistry, which relocated last year to new state-of-the-art headquarters in Naples. Restaurateurs Veljko Pavicevic and Corrine Ryan are not revealing much yet but count on the same attention to detail and service for their new venture that have made Sails a desirable dining destination.
A 20-year-old restaurant at the other end of Fifth is getting an overhaul inside and out this summer. Chops City Grill temporarily closed July 8 with plans to reopen this fall with a fresh look. Local restaurateur Skip Quillen and his Culinary Concepts team accomplished similar overhauls last year at Pazzo! Cucina Italiana and in 2016 at Yabba Island Grill, the other two restaurants he owns on Fifth.
This time, though, in addition to revamping the dining room and menu, exterior improvements will be made to the 837 Building, said Christopher Shucart, president of JCS Realty Group. James and Christopher Shucart’s Fifth Avenue Investments purchased the building in 2017.
“It’s going to take on a more contemporary, modern and clean look throughout the exterior common areas, and it will complement well with what Chops is doing on the inside,” said Mr. Shucart, who also is vice-president of the Business Improvement District’s board of directors.
Exterior changes will include some urban flair with the creation of a contemporary art gallery in the breezeway between Chops and Engel & Völkers real estate office, he said.
The Business Improvement District remains immersed in reevaluating and strengthening the avenue’s tenant mix now and in the future.
“We are always looking for the best and brightest, the things that the people want to shop at,” Mr. Barone said. “We want to bring those things to Fifth Avenue.”
McCabe has been famous for rooting out ordinary people to get what real estate he wants at the price he wants to pay. His strangle hold on downtown Naples has gone on a few decades now.