Q: What is going in the large space formerly occupied by Bed Bath & Beyond on Airport Road in Naples? And what will that plaza now be called? Thanks. — Rebecca Sumlin, Naples  

A: A new tenant hasn’t been lined up yet to replace the former Bed Bath & Beyond store, but Bed Bath & Beyond Plaza has been renamed Ridgeport Plaza until further notice, according to a spokesman for Continental Realty Corp, which manages the local retail center. 

Of course, the new name also is the old name for the retail center. The center on that busy northwest corner of Pine Ridge and Airport-Pulling roads initially was known as Ridgeport Plaza, which combines parts from the names of its crossroads. The center was home to the Ridgeport Pub in the early 2000s in the unit where Hibachi of Japan is today. 

Built in the late 1980s, Ridgeport Plaza was renamed in 1995 to Bed Bath & Beyond Plaza when the national retailer agreed to be the center’s anchor, moving into the space vacated by Winn-Dixie supermarket. 

Although it’s commonly known as Bed Bath & Beyond Plaza, neither of the roadside pylon signs at the retail center’s entrances on Airport and Pine Ridge included that name. The former anchor’s name was merely featured across the top of the signs and on brochures marketing spaces for lease in the shopping center.  

Halloween City, a seasonal pop-up store from retailer Party City, will temporarily operate from the former Bed Bath & Beyond store at 5351 Airport-Pulling Road until mid-November. The 46,343-square-foot anchor space, which includes a floor plan with a 1,308-square-foot mezzanine, is still available for lease, according to Clint Sherwood of Naples-based Investment Properties Corp. 

Reinventing the mothership 

Q: What’s the latest with Mother Trucker’s? I heard they were going to reopen; however, the awnings are down, the signs are off and the lights have been taken off of the building. — B.L., East Naples  

A: The Mother Trucker Cafe, which operated for only a few months after launching in early January, is being retooled to reopen this year on the corner of U.S. 41 East and Catalina Drive in East Naples, but expect a new name and a larger menu, said owner Rick Berec.  

“We’re definitely going to reopen,” Berec said. “I’m changing the name since we’re not incorporating the truck anymore with the restaurant. The fire department wanted that truck 15 feet from the building.” 

Berec closed his local restaurant this spring after the fire department would not allow his kitchen—a step van converted into a colorful food truck—to be permanently parked so close to the building at 4811 Tamiami Trail E. So, he sold the truck and plans to drop the word Trucker from the restaurant’s name, although he’s not ready to reveal the restaurant’s new name yet. 

“People can associate it with the same menu, the quality, the management, the owners, you know. Nothing’s changed,” he said. “I have a great team. All the same employees are coming back.” 

The counter-service eatery plans to continue serving a menu of Chicago-style pizza and “upbeat street food” with some Mexican cuisine and something a little different from its indoor kitchen. 

“The new kitchen allows us to do a couple other things like wings and stuff that we can offer with pizzas now, because we’ll have an additional fryer under that line. Just little, simple things,” Berec said. 

Still waiting for a construction permit, Berec expects to have the authorization soon. 

“I got about a 30-day buildout to complete, but we’re definitely reopening,” he said. “I plan to be open by probably Dec. 1. I don’t want to lose the season.” 

Post-storm postal post 

Q: When is the downtown Naples post office reopening for business? Soon, I hope, as the main one on Goodlette remains a zoo. — Clay Cone, Naples 

A: More than a year after it was flooded by storm surge from Hurricane Ian, the retail part of the downtown Naples post office remains closed. Expect it to reopen soon. 

“There is currently no specific timeline for the full resumption of all services at this location, but we are working as quickly as possible. We appreciate our customers’ patience,” said Lecia Hall, a strategic communications specialist for the United States Postal Service. 

The downtown Naples post office at 860 Sixth Ave. S. near Cambier Park is a leased location in a privately owned building shared with the Hindman fine art auction house. The real estate is owned by Naples longtime seasonal resident Tempel “Tim” Smith Jr., who said the adjoining auction business was up and running within about two weeks after the storm. 

Smith also owns the commercial building that shares the property across from the entrance to the post office. After the hurricane, Traditions home furnishings store permanently relocated from that Sixth Avenue South location to Sixth Avenue North. In December, Jett Thompson Home and Jett Thompson Interiors moved into that larger space from its previous home on Broad Avenue. 

Although the USPS said the post office was severely damaged and required extensive repairs, some postal operations are available now, Hall said.  

For instance, customers with post office boxes at the downtown office have 24/7 access to them. Customers who receive a “Notice Left” form—meaning a piece of mail could not be delivered because no one was available to accept delivery—may retrieve items at that downtown location between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but not on weekends. 

Until the downtown office opens soon, customers normally served by that branch can obtain retail services at the other Naples post office, 1200 Goodlette-Frank Road, less than two miles away. Hours of operation for retail services there are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Hall said. 

“The Postal Service restores service following natural disasters, including hurricanes, as quickly as possible as we understand our critical role in binding together impacted communities,” she said. “Our primary concerns are for the safety of our employees and our customers and safeguarding the security and sanctity of the mail. Following Hurricane Ian, the Postal Service reestablished service where it was safe to do so in many areas.” 

The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com.