Q: What is being built next to CVS at Airport and Vanderbilt? Thanks. – Michael Dean, Naples 

A: Buildings under construction on the north and west sides of CVS pharmacy will be home to more restaurants and retailers in the Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt on the northwest corner of Airport-Pulling and Vanderbilt Beach roads in North Naples. 

Building 1000 is the smaller, single-story structure being built immediately to the north of CVS. Building 1100 is the two-story building going up west of CVS.  

“Between the two buildings it will be over 20 units — over 20,000 square feet of total leasable space,” said PJ Hill, leasing manager for the Shoppes at Vanderbilt. “We’re working with a variety of concepts. We’re excited to see new tenants coming into the center. We’re welcoming retailers, restaurants, service concepts, office concepts, any and all types of uses for both of the buildings, and we’re excited to see it get full.” 

Construction is on schedule and pre-leasing is underway, Hill said, but he doesn’t have tenants to announce yet for the new buildings. Negotiations are in the works with a few potential new tenants.  

“There are some exciting opportunities there for the right concepts. We have the end caps currently reserved for restaurant users, so we’re welcoming any quick-service and full-size restaurant users who want that frontage on Vanderbilt Beach Road,” he said. “Most of the units are still available. I have construction anticipated to complete in Building 1000 by the end of October and Building 1100 hopefully by the end of November this year.”  

The retail center also is dividing the space fronting Airport-Pulling Road where The Axe Lodge closed in January after operating about 3½ years. “We’ll have three spaces there, about 1,200 square feet each,” Hill said. “Those spaces should be ready by the end of this month.”  

Belly Bliss begins  

Belly Bliss Natural Cafe launched May 15 in a longtime restaurant space at 2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 156, that most recently was home to Poached breakfast-lunch cafe, which closed last May when its lease extension was denied after a 13-year run at the Shoppes at Vanderbilt. 

Originally planned as Tasia’s Cafe, Belly Bliss is owned by Jimmy Bakopoulos and managing partner Federico Oliva. The American-Mediterranean restaurant launched with breakfast and lunch service, and plans to add dinner and happy hours soon. It serves beer and wine but plans to obtain a full liquor license eventually, Oliva said.  

“At our restaurant, every dish is inspired by traditional homemade recipes and prepared with fresh, seasonal, all-natural ingredients,” he said. “We believe food should not only taste incredible, but also contribute to a long, healthy life.”  

The restaurant boasts a state-of-the-art water purification system, sustainable practices and clean cooking procedures, including made-to-order meals that are not microwaved nor prepared with unhealthy oils.   

Its extensive breakfast menu includes pancakes, crepes, omelets, waffles, skillets, bowls and family favorites such as grass-fed skirt steak and slow-roasted brisket hash. The lunch menu includes sandwiches, wraps, panini, salads and soups. The renovated restaurant seats 150 inside and another 50 on its front patio around a large fountain.   

“We’re happy to see them get up and going,” Hill said. “They’ve done a lot of work in the space, so we’re excited to see them get open and operating and be successful.”  

The Cave closes 

The Cave Bistro & Wine Bar proprietors Jim and Laura Dixon notified patrons via email May 16 that their business permanently closed after operating for 7½ years in the Shoppes At Vanderbilt. 

“We’re sad to see them go. They’ve been here a long time and have a great reputation,” Hill said.  

Although the email noted that The Cave’s closure was influenced by a number of factors, Jim Dixon singled out personal health issues. 

“Unfortunately, as many of you know, I have been going through some health challenges this past year, which has put a lot of stress on my entire family,” he noted.  

Naples Wine Collection, The Cave’s adjoining retail store, will continue to be operated by the Dixons’ daughter, Brandie, at its current location for the next couple of months. Brandie Dixon started the store in 2013 at a smaller unit in the same retail center before The Cave launched in November 2017. 

“Laura and I will be transitioning ownership of the retail store back to her and she will be looking for a new place to relocate the business,” Dixon said.  

Hill hopes to keep the wine store in the retail center. 

“We’d like to see the Wine Collection stay in some form or fashion, whether that’s moving the store to another smaller space in here to potentially new construction or something that’s available currently,” he said. “We’re having discussions with them.”   

Dining options coming  

Aufieri & Martinez Argentinian Steakhouse is targeted to open this summer in Suite 200 of the Shoppes at Vanderbilt. This will be the first dining concept locally for Walter Rolando Aufieri and Daniel Martínez.  

“At Aufieri & Martinez, we pride ourselves on serving authentic Argentine cuisine, specializing in asado (traditional Argentine BBQ) with a focus on high-quality, grilled meats,” the restaurant’s social media proclaims. 

The sign on the future steakhouse features the silhouette of a black cow and “Prime Angus Beef.” Most recently home to the short-lived Paradise Golf, that large corner unit on the northern edge of the retail center has been a longtime restaurant space for a variety of local dining spots — Havana Blue Cuban Cuisine & Lounge, Salsa Cuban Restaurant & Lounge, French Folies, The Basin and Absinthe restaurants.  

 A couple of other vacated food-and-beverage spaces may be filled soon on either side of the True Fashionistas anchor store. Crazy King Burrito is coming to Suite 100, and another tenant will replace Nautical Bowls, which closed at the end of 2024.  

“We’re working with a few different groups on that space,” Hill said. “One, in particular, is a franchise. I can’t disclose the concept at this time, but probably something similar to what Nautical Bowls was doing before. That’s a very attractive space and I think a good operator could do very well there.”  

Boards and Bubbles previously had planned to take the space vacated last year when Angelic Desserts Bakery & Cafe relocated next door to the large end unit that formerly hosted Nawty Hogg BBQ and Pei Wei. “Unfortunately, we won’t see Boards and Bubbles joining us here at the Shoppes at Vanderbilt,” Hill said. “What we will most likely see actually is Angelic’s expanding back into that space, believe it or not.”   

Marina Nikolic, the chef/owner of Angelic Desserts, was pleasantly surprised when she found she needed more kitchen space, even after nearly tripling the size of her business last fall.  

“Angelic’s has grown and been such a long-term tenant with us. We’re happy to see them do so well.” Hill said. “We’re talking to them currently about the idea of getting back into that space. Time will tell. That’s most likely what will happen.”  

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