Around The Islands With Anne

Comfort By Design Closing After Two Decades On Islands

by Anne Mitchell

After more than 20 years selling fine shoes on Sanibel, Heidi Thibaut and partner Steve Watson are closing their store, Comfort by Design, in the Lime Tree Center. Thibaut purchased Comfort by Design from Rosemary Armstrong, owner of Comfort by Design on Fort Myers Beach, 20 years ago. Watson joined the business in 2002 and it has been a fantastic partnership since.

Thibaut is moving on to other pursuits but says the departure is bittersweet.

To her customers, she says, “Thank you for 20 great years. It has been awesome. Now it’s time to move on.”

For consumers, it means additional markdowns storewide over the Labor Day weekend. That could mean huge savings given that everything in the store is already discounted.

Some of the leading names in comfort footwear such as Mephisto, Ecco, Earth Shoes, Sanita, and Birkenstock will be available at unbelievably low prices.

Tell your friends and neighbors that this is a great time to stock up on their favorite brands. Pull out your Christmas gift list, too.

You’ll find everything from flip-flops to flats, walking shoes to wedges, footwear for men, women and children, all designed to be kind and gentle to your feet.

All the Sanuk flip-flops will be further reduced by 40 percent. LeSportSac purses will be marked down 30 percent and there will be unprecedented prices on jewelry and accessories as well.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, including Sunday, through Labor Day.

Comfort by Design is in the Lime Tree Center at 1640 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, across from Bank of the Islands, phone 395-0666.

Labor Day weekend is renowned for sidewalk sales and this year is no exception.

As of August 21, the following locations have city permits for sidewalk sales;

• Sanibel Square, 2240 Periwinkle Way

• Olde Sanibel Shoppes, 630 Tarpon Bay Road

• Tahitian Gardens, 1975 Periwinkle Way

• The Village Shops, 2340 Periwinkle Way

• Periwinkle Place, 2075 Periwinkle Way

• Seahorse Shopping Center, 362 Periwinkle Way

• Palm Ridge Shopping Plaza, 2330 Palm Ridge Road

• Big Dog Surf Shop, 459 Periwinkle Way

LIVE ON THE ISLANDS

Traditions on the Beach at the Island Inn has live entertainment most nights. This week’s lineup: Friday, August 31, singing and dancing with Joe McCormick and Barbara Smith; Saturday, September 1, smooth music and dancing with Joe McCormick and Marvilla Marzan; Labor Day celebration on Sunday, September 2, Sanibel’s own Pianoman Joe McCormick with popular favorites and smooth vocal stylings, R&B, jazz and pop, dancing.

Traditions will be closed Monday, September 3 through Thursday, September 6.

Traditions is at 3111 West Gulf Drive, phone 472-4559.

The Crow’s Nest at ’Tween Waters Inn will feature The Sand Fleas on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Crow’s Nest is at 15951 Captiva Drive, phone 472-5161.

Sweet Melissa’s Café features Michael David playing light acoustic background music Wednesday through Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sweet Melissa’s is at 1625 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 472-1956.

George & Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille has live entertainment as follows: Friday, August 31, Chris Workman, keyboard and vocals; Thursdays, Karaoke. The restaurant is at 2499 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 395-1263.

The Jacaranda has entertainment nightly from 7 to 11 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, various artists are featured. On Sunday, it’s Jamaica “Dave” & Co., reggae and dance; Monday, Renata, jazz, contemporary music and dance; Tuesday, Steve “Scooter” Reynolds, accoustic guitar, contemporary music and dance; Wednesday, Buckeye Ken, contemporary, Top 40 and blues; Thursday, 2 Hot, contemporary, reggae and dance. The Jacaranda is at 1223 Periwinkle Way, phone 472-1771.

The Mucky Duck on Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, features music by Mark Dupuy on Mondays; Rich Lancaster, Wednesdays; Gene Federico, Thursdays and Saturdays; and Buckeye Ken, Fridays.

The Island Cow on Periwinkle Way has live entertainment on Friday with Dan Confrey; Saturday, Diana Lynn; and Sunday, Buckeye Ken. Phone 472-0606.

RC Otter’s, 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, has live music daily with dining inside and out, phone 395-1142.

Keylime Bistro features live music days and nights seven days a week. New to the line-up is Ken Limeri playing jazz sax from 6 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday. The bistro is at 11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva,

phone 395-4000.