A nearly century-old Lee County tourist landmark ― and another last relic of Old Florida ― will shut down later this month.
“After 86 wonderful years of serving the community, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the closing of the Shell Factory & Nature Park,” the popular attraction announced Monday morning on Facebook.
Here’s what we know.
When will Shell Factory close for good
“Our final days of operation will be the weekends of Sept. 20-22 and Sept. 27-29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” the attraction said on Facebook.
“During this time, the Nature Park and Gift Shop will be open and the park’s onsite restaurants, the Southern Grill and Tommy’s Outdoor Café, will serve a limited menu while supplies last. The Fun Park will be closed, effective immediately.”
Shell Factory opened before World War II
More than just shells, the attraction offered plenty of fun on its sprawling 18 acres: A zip line, a nature park, a staggeringly huge gift store, bumper and paddle boats, a restaurant, miniature golf, a petting farm, a videogame arcade and a whole lot more.
The Shell Factory Nature Park, 16554 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers, also features about 350 exotic animals, including iguanas, porcupines, peacocks, alligators, lemurs, alpacas and goats.
“This iconic North Fort Myers destination has brought joy to countless families and visitors since 1938,” the Facebook post said. “We hope you’ll stop by and enjoy our beloved attractions and restaurants one last time.”
“This has been an incredibly hard decision, as the Shell Factory has been a huge part of our community and my life,” Pam Cronin, owner for the past 27 years, said on the Facebook post.
“We are so proud of the countless joyous experiences shared here — whether aboard bumper boats, in our nature park, at the mini-golf course, or within our shops and restaurants.”
Why is Shell Factory closing
Cronin’s husband, Tom, took the helm of the property in 1997 when it was under foreclosure and “lovingly transformed it from a roadside tourist spot to a sought-out destination for locals, seasonal residents and tourists,” Shell Factory said in a news release.
The couple made extensive investments and upgrades to the property, created the Nature Park, an animal rescue, and founded The Nature Park Environmental Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization,” it stated.
“Over the decades, the Shell Factory has stood resilient through hurricanes, fires, and financial challenges, but with the costly upkeep of an 86-year-old property, we’ve had to make this difficult decision,” Cronin said.
When Tom Conin died in 2018, Pam Conin continued to own and operate the Shell Factory, leading the organization through the impacts of the pandemic and multiple hurricanes.
“However, with any property that is over 86 years old and of this magnitude, ongoing maintenance and necessary repairs are costly,” the news release said.
“This is an unfortunate, yet natural evolution that we have seen countless old Florida roadside attractions like ours face,” Pam Cronin said. “Many other classic tourist destinations that were once booming have come and gone over the years.”
Grand Irish wake: Tommy Cronin sent off in fine style planned at his beloved Shell Factory
“We are working closely with wildlife officials to ensure the safe rehoming of our 400-plus animals and supporting our dedicated employees during this transition. Visit our website at ShellFactory.com for more details.”
How to share Shell Factory memories
“To celebrate our shared memories, we invite you to share your favorite moments at the Shell Factory right here on our Facebook page with the hashtag #MyShellFactoryMemories,” Cronin said on Facebook.
“Together, we can honor the incredible legacy of this community treasure.”
Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and News-Press. Follow him on Instagram and Threads @lacrossewriter and on X (formerly Twitter) @NDN_dosborn.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Shell Factory Nature Park closing in N. Fort Myers? What we know
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