15 Small Businesses in Sanibel Island, FL

Sanibel Island is a spectacular place with unique features and gorgeous scenery.

It's one of the most visited in the Sunshine State's southern region.

This island rests along the Gulf of Mexico a few miles from the central city of Fort Myers and is part of Lee County, Florida.

The island can be accessed from Florida's mainland through a causeway.

The island boasts a laid-back environment with beautiful beaches, stunning sunsets, world-class resorts, and many other attractions.

One of the economic driving forces of Sanibel Island is its small businesses owned by locals.

These businesses mainly focus on dining, accommodations, tours, and other services catering to tourists and locals.

Sanibel Island is more than just a tourist destination in South Florida.

It's also a growing community full of small businesses, each with inspiring success stories and challenges.

If you're fascinated by exploring this place's local industries, here's a list of the 15 small businesses in Sanibel Island, Florida.

Traders 2

Traders 2 is a local bar and bistro that serves beer, creative cocktails, and food.

You can visit this place along Periwinkle Way.

It's one of the island's most excellent places to spend your happy hour or evening with friends or family.

It has a local and rotating draft beer selection, cocktail drinks, fine wine selection, and other alcoholic beverages to quench your thirst.

Many Sanibel Island tourists love to hang out at this bar for its wide array of drinks and French-inspired menu amidst its Floridian-inspired décor and furnishing.

It has a lively and welcoming atmosphere filled with locals and tourists who want to have a fun time enjoying drinks and food.

Besides its signature drinks and food, Traders 2 has a gift shop featuring charming souvenir items to take home.

Cielo Restaurant

Sanibel Island has dozens of locally-owned restaurants, each with its specialties.

One of the island's most beloved dining choices is Cielo Restaurant.

You can check out this restaurant along Periwinkle Way.

This restaurant takes pride in its menu, which uses farm-to-table ingredients, fresh catches, and carefully crafted cocktail drinks.

A Miami-native chef and a mixologist from New York own the restaurant.

They collaborated to open up one of Sanibel's best dining places.

Some of its must-tries are fresh squid calamari, shrimp tacos, fish tacos, cobb salad, prime burger, Baja chicken sandwich, blackened tuna wrap, Korean-style barbeque ribs, etc.

So, book your reservations at Cielo Restaurant to taste Sanibel Island's fresh food.

Island Inn

Island Inn is one of the longest-running bed and breakfast accommodations you'll find there.

You can check out its rooms and amenities along W. Gulf Drive.

This bed and breakfast sit on an 1800s private beach resort a few miles from the Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

Its cozy rooms offer guests screened balconies, kitchenettes, Wi-Fi, television, and other amenities for a comfortable stay.

One of the reasons to stay at this bed and breakfast is its gorgeous view of the beachfront.

Besides the gorgeous beach and convenient amenities, this place has a swimming pool, seafood restaurant, tennis courts, and outdoor activities.

Regarding comfort and convenience, Island Inn hits all the check marks for an excellent bed and breakfast on Sanibel Island.

She Sells Sea Shells

She Sells Sea Shells is a gift shop specializing in handicrafts made from seashells.

You can find this quirky gift shop along Periwinkle Way.

Sanibel Island is renowned worldwide as one of the best places to find sea shells.

So, it's a no-brainer that most souvenir and gift shops offer tourists items made from seashells.

One of the trusted names of seashells gift and handicraft items is this family-owned shop.

It offers everyone items related to seashells.

It has necklaces, bracelets, home decor, wall art, and other fascinating items that have seashells on them.

Besides its signature products, this shop sells tee shirts, muscle shirts, tank tops, hoodies, hats, and other clothing items.

She Sells Sea Shells has been providing exciting gifts and souvenir items since 1976, making it a local gem for seashell products.

Island Paws

Island Paws caters to the needs and wants of Sanibel Island's fur parents and pet lovers.

You can visit this pet store along Tarpon Bay Road in the Olde Sanibel Shoppes.

This pet store has been one of the go-to places for everyone for all pet needs and supplies since 2004.

It offers everyone excellent pet products and supplies for cats and dogs.

It includes dog food, treats, nutrition products, gifts, accessories, and other supplies.

Besides offering pet products and supplies, Island Paws also provide grooming services, making it the most convenient place for pets on the island.

Gramma Dot's

Gramma Dot's Seaside Saloon is one of the island's best places to grab a meal and a drink.

You can visit this restaurant at the Sanibel Marina.

Many tourists and locals love to dine at this restaurant for many reasons.

Because of its quality service and food, it has received numerous awards, including the "People's Choice Award" of the Taste of the Island, for seven straight years.

The restaurant offers a wide array of mouthwatering lunch and dinner menus.

It mainly serves fresh seafood cooked and prepared in various ways, such as sandwiches, grilled salads, and other delicious dishes.

At the same time, it has a saloon that serves refreshing cocktail drinks, beer, and other alcoholic beverages.

In addition, it has a cozy and welcoming dining and saloon area to enjoy its food and drinks.

Some of Gramma Dot's must-tries include its homemade New England clam chowder, lobster roll, mahi-mahi sandwich, grouper sandwich, grouper dinner, and Alaskan King crab.

Captain Bubby's Island Tours

Captain Bubby's Island Tours is one of the island's most trusted tour companies that takes you to the area's most gorgeous places.

They operate in Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers, Pine Island, Cabbage Key, and Cayo Costa.

Their tours focus on wildlife ecosystems, history, and sightseeing around Sanibel Island and neighboring cities and towns.

Its owner, known by all as Captain Bubby, personally navigates through the area's sceneries and attractions during tours.

He's also an expert in the field, especially regarding wildlife and the natural habitats and ecosystems in the area as a naturalist.

Besides the usual tours, Captain Bubby's Island Tours offers family pirate hunts, beach outings, and other exciting activities for a more exciting tourist experience.

JRod's Surf Fish & Style

JRod's Surf Fish and Style is a clothing store with a wide array of top-quality apparel brands.

You can visit this shop at the Old Sanibel Shoppes along Tarpon Bay Road.

Whether you're looking for a beach outfit or want to resupply with new clothes, this shop has everything for you.

This locally-owned shop features many clothing brands, including surf apparel and beachwear, that are functional and fashionable.

Besides big brands, the shop is also home to an eclectic collection of small-batch premium lines from fellow small business owners in the area.

Drop by JRod's Surf Fish and Style to shop for top-notch surf apparel and beachwear to complete your vacation outfit in Sanibel Island.

Noah's Ark Thrift Shop

Noah's Ark Thrift Shop is a one-stop shop for all sorts of novelty items, including a vast collection of books.

You can visit this shop along Periwinkle Way.

This shop is unique because St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church run it.

Parts of the proceeds of this shop go to the ministry's charitable works and other noble works.

This thrift shop has served Sanibel visitors and locals for over 60 years.

One of the best reasons to drop by this shop is its vast collection of books featuring various genres, guaranteeing every bookworm a valuable time browsing.

Besides books, it displays jewelry, clothes, decorations, furniture, artwork, and shoes.

So, drop by Noah's Ark Thrift Shop for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.

Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen

Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen is one of the most unique and delicious restaurants you'll come across on the island.

You can visit this restaurant along Periwinkle Way.

This restaurant stands out among others on the island as it serves Cajun-style fare compared to most, which serves seafood.

True to its name, this restaurant serves authentic Cajun dishes that virtually transport you to New Orleans with every bite.

Its must-tries include fresh oysters, Bayou shrimp, boudin balls, pork rinds, Cajun chicken, Po' Boys, Cajun alfredo, and crawfish mac & cheese.

You can choose plenty more Cajun dishes on Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen's menu to satisfy your cravings.

Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory

Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory is your go-to place to get your daily caffeine fix and some delicious treats.

You can visit this coffee shop along Palm Ridge Road.

This coffee shop is unlike anything else.

It serves coffee and tea, pizza, breakfast meals, sandwiches, ice cream, and other treats, making it a local gem.

Besides its coffee and delicious food, it has a casual and welcoming dining area with inside and outside seating options.

It also has free Wi-Fi internet connectivity for paying customers, making it a convenient place to hang out.

So, look no further regarding excellent coffee and delicious treats and head to Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory.

Island Essentials

Island Essentials is a neighborhood convenience store where you can get your essentials and wants while touring through Sanibel Island.

You can check out this convenience store along Palm Ridge Road.

It considers itself a micro convenience store that displays an assortment of products.

It has all your favorite snacks, beer, cigarettes, wine, drinks, toiletries, and even local artwork and clothing for souvenirs.

At the same time, this convenience store, established in 2019, also offers hurricane survival items.

Its owner took the challenge of opening a convenience store to cater to the needs of tourists and locals on the island.

Her main reason was to provide everyone with a convenience store without traveling miles and paying the pricey toll fee from the causeway.

Drop by Island Essentials to grab your supplies and whatnot.

Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry

Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry is one of the longest-running jewelry stores on the island.

You can visit its shop along Periwinkle Way.

This jewelry store takes pride in serving its customers its exclusive collection of original and unique 'island-style' jewelry pieces.

It includes gorgeous pendants, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, and charms made from the finest precious metals and stones with unique designs.

These designs are inspired by the island's local marine life, such as seashells, starfish, sand dollars, dolphins, seahorses, etc.

Amazingly, most of its jewelry collections are made locally.

Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry has provided Sanibel Island locals and visitors with its unique jewelry collection since 1975.

It continues to maintain its excellent service today.

The Sanibel Grill

The Sanibel Grill is a great place to enjoy a mug or bottle of your favorite beer while watching your favorite sport.

You can visit this sports bar along Tarpon Bay Road.

If you're looking for a spot-on Sanibel Island to experience an authentic sports bar, look no further.

This place has televisions in all corners featuring NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, NCAA sports, and other exciting leagues.

At the same time, it has full of sports memorabilia.

These items include the Cleveland Indian jersey of Robert William Andrew Feller framed on its wall.

Besides its remarkable features, this sports bar has a welcoming atmosphere where you can join fellow sports fans and enjoy a mug or bottle of your favorite beer.

You can pair your beer with its short orders, such as burgers, fresh seafood, barbeque, quesadillas, and more.

So, catch your favorite team's upcoming game at the Sanibel Grill.

Barb's Cleaning Service

Barb's Cleaning Service offers many cleaning methods that serve the Lee County area.

You can drop by its shop along Periwinkle Way.

This cleaning service, categorized under industrial cleaning service, has served Sanibel Island locals since 1986.

With that in mind, they're one of the go-to cleaning services for homes, offices, and other establishments.

Like most top-notch cleaning services, they offer various cleaning methods, such as basic cleaning, deep cleaning, sanitation, and janitorial services.

So, contact Barb's Cleaning Service whenever your home or office needs general cleaning.

Final Thoughts

Sanibel Island has a growing community backed by small business owners that continues to strive amidst the challenges.

These small businesses in Sanibel Island, Florida, continue to provide locals with unique products and excellent services that stamp a quality standard.

Drop by one of these shops to support small businesses.