WHAT'S GOING UP ...
With the new year comes new adventure as development continues in DeSoto County for 2024. Not only have there been new restaurants opening in town but, also, new attractions at a longtime outdoor destination. For more details, continue reading.
*For previous editions of 'What's Going Up,' see below.
Peace River Charters expands wildlife experience
*Source: Photos by Daniel Sutphin
From speed to sloth, Peace River Charters continues to spread outdoor adventure and experiences in DeSoto County, FL.
Known for airboat and swamp buggy tours, horseback riding and more, Peace River Charters recently teamed with Jungle Dorias to expand its Wildlife Park, which now includes an array of new animals like Oliver the sloth, lemurs, emus, snakes and more.
"Zac (owner of Peace River Charters) happened to be looking for someone to take over this wildlife part of the park," Jungle Dorias co-owner Krystalynn Doria said. "We were looking for somewhere to go, so it was kind of the perfect partnership. We can add exhibits here and expand and help each other out."
Krystalynn Doria, along with her husband Clay Doria, both have years of experience working in zoo environments, including Busch Gardens, Sea World, Naples Zoo and other facilities.
"Between the two of us, he’s (Clay) kind of the reptile guy and I’m more birds and mammals," Krystalynn Doria said. "We have over 10 years of experience working with animals. We want to spread that passion with everybody because ... we found that when we were younger when you get to see the animals up close and learn about them, it makes you care about them more.
"We want to be able to give that feeling to people in the community."
Dale, Peace River Charters' 1,200-pound alligator and a longtime tenant of the destination, continues to laze around in a gated enclosure in the park. In other fenced in exhibits, alligators, mules, bulls and pigs are also featured.
The main office is located at 4192 SW Adventure Way, Arcadia, FL 34266, on Varner's 300-plus acres of land.
Capt. Zac Varner, owner of Peace River Charters, said the community response for the new wildlife attraction has been great.
"It’s been positive," Varner said. "It's been very exciting and nice to see all the new exhibits and animals come in. I’ve always prided myself in having a personalized experience for our guests and I think they (the Dorias) are definitely the team to make that happen out here with the animals."
For more information about Peace River Charters and the new Wildlife Park go to Facebook.com/PRCAirboattours, PeaceRiverCharters.com, or call 863-884-4000.
Changes in Downtown Arcadia
Magnolia Street Seafood & Grill returns (on Oak)
*Source: Photos by Daniel Sutphin
Change was tough after Hurricane Ian devastated DeSoto County in fall 2023.
For Carl Tindall, owner of Magnolia Street Seafood and Grill, that change was both personal and professional.
"Ian didn't just affect our business, we got affected at home, too," Tindall said. "Our home (like many others) got messed up pretty bad, too (and) displaced us as far as business was concerned."
Before Ian, Magnolia Street Seafood and Grill was located at 9 W. Magnolia St. in the downtown area for around a decade. During that time, the restaurant had developed a dedicated following of both locals and tourists.
Hurricane Ian destroyed Magnolia's long time home, leaving Tindall and staff without their restaurant and unsure of how to bring it back.
"I never had any intention of leaving, so to come back was the only obvious choice that we had," he said.
Tindalls will reopen Magnolia Street Seafoood and Grill this spring in the historic Rosin Arcade -- "the pink building" -- at 117 W. Oak St. a few blocks away.
An official opening date is still being determined.
With the reopening, Tindall plans to have a similar menu.
"Essentially, we are going to open up with what we know," he said. "Our menu is going to be very similar to what we had when we closed.
"I’m feeling good about the restaurant. I feel like we’re putting together the restaurant that we initially wanted to put together when we opened up in 2013 (at the Magnolia Street location). We’re going to be bigger and better and hope people come along this ride with us."
For more information, email info@magnoliaseafood.com or call 893-491-6916.
Rattler's smoke has cleared ... Enter Neon Moon Saloon
*Source: Photos by Daniel Sutphin and Neon Moon Saloon Facebook
"Is the smoke gone?"
That is a question often asked by the community regarding old Rattler's Saloon in downtown Arcadia, which was longtime known for being filled with a haze of cigarette smoke.
For new co-owner, Jo Dawn Martin, the message is clear: "The smoke is gone."
"You’re standing here in the middle of it (the bar) right now and you cannot smell smoke anywhere in here," Martin said. "We’ve cleared out all the smoke. It’s now a 'no smoking' establishment and we’ve spent a bazillion dollars to get rid of the smoke smell in here."
Martin, Cowboy Corner CEO, is also now a co-owner of Neon Moon Saloon, a country western bar opening March 1 in the fully renovated Rattler's space, 111 West Oak Street, Arcadia, in the pink Rosin Arcade building.
"We have a great space here (and) it’s right in the heart of Arcadia," Martin said. "We want to create a place right here – an atmosphere, an environment – where people can come and enjoy themselves. We want to have a unique mix of entertainment (and) also to be a venue; it’s going to be very unique and be a great atmosphere.
"The character of this old building (is amazing) and we’re adding to it with a lot of details that look very period."
Neon Moon's grand opening is set for March 1 at noon. The owners have also booked country western artist Andy Pursell to perform March 9, at 8 p.m., for a Rodeo After Party.
"We are creating an atmosphere here," Martin said. "You can see the wooden beams and we have the Edison-style lights over the pool tables," she added. "You can see this beautiful vintage lighting that we have on the exposed brick wall. The color scheme in here is phenomenal. It’s going to be a whole experience here for people to come in and enjoy themselves and that’s what we are going for here."
For more information, go to Facebook.com/neonmoonsaloon.
Locals roll out new restaurants in DeSoto
Behind the Fence blends cafe with plant nursery
*Source: Photos by Daniel Sutphin
A quaint and quiet place, Behind the Fence Cafe offers wholesome breakfast and lunch options in a peaceful environment of plants, fountains and hospitality.
Owner Geri Draper, who also owns Country Cafe next door, initially planned Behind the Fence to be a plant nursery at 2018 SE Carlstrom Field Road, Arcadia.
“This used to be the fruit and vegetable stand and it was going to get bulldozed," Draper said. "I asked for the chance to fix it and that’s what happened. It was going to start out as a plant nursery but it has since become a plant nursery and café.
She also designs and sells candles and car fresheners, and paints bird houses.
"Eventually, I want to start doing classes at night," Draper added, referring to painting.
One reason Draper liked the idea of opening Behind The Fence is that it gave her a place to relax.
"This one was a way for me to chill out. I love the plants. I’ve always been a plant person. Some I’ve ordered in while others I’ve grown myself that start out as one mother plant and then the others result from that," she said.
Draper opened the new cafe last fall. Since opening, response from customers has been positive.
"The customers like the fact that it’s peaceful and quiet," she said. "I want it to be place for people to enjoy (and) relax, walk around be able to sit back and relax. There are rocking chairs for people to sit in and just relax."
For more information, find Behind The Fence on Facebook by clicking here.
Sunny Day Cafe
*Source: Photos by Daniel Sutphin
Having just celebrated their first month of being open, Sunny Day Cafe owner Cathy Lange is thrilled by the customer response the Sunnybreeze based restaurant has been getting.
"Business has been wonderful," Lange said. "The support from the local community has been wonderful and it's growing daily."
Sunny Day Cafe, located at 7038 SW Liverpool Road, Arcadia, opened January 10. Since opening, Lange said she's gained a wonderful core of regulars, seasonal residents and many who are driving by on SW Highway 17.
"My regulars are tending to be local ranchers and local truck drivers which is wonderful because it's created a great core of people on top of seasonal residents," she said. "But we've had guests from Orlando to Fort Myers and they only take back roads and they loved it here."
The restaurant offers sandwiches -- with Boar's Head products -- as well as soups, salads, baked goods and more.
"The bakery items are doing very well because we fresh bake everything in house," she said. "The New England clam chowder sells daily and we are doing different specials. Also, we try to tailor the menu from the daily feedback.
"We've been getting a lot of positive feed back and the word is getting out."
For more information, find Sunny Day Cafe on Facebook or call 863-491-8300.
In Case You Missed It
The Florida Farmhouse Coffee shop
*Source: Photos by Daniel Sutphin
A cup of coffee can bring a community together.
That's been the experience for The Florida Farmhouse Coffee shop owner Charity Reesor.
"All kinds of varieties of groups of individuals and people have visited the shop and it’s really great to see that," she said. "There’s no separation when it comes to coffee."
Since opening January 1, the coffee, bakery and exotic plant shop has been a hit among locals and tourists at its location, 103 W. Oak Street, in the historic pink Rosin Arcade building.
"Our goal, No. 1, (with opening the shop) was to build community," Reesor said. "We want to know everybody around here and build relationships with people, but also to build relationships with our neighbors. By sitting over a cup of coffee, that just happens. You put your phone away and you just sit and chat.
"Everybody does need a place for that."
Guest response has been amazing, Reesor said.
"We’ve had some really awesome reactions," she added. "Everybody is super excited and sharing on social media, which is really exciting because that’s what gets other people excited."
For more information, go to Facebook.com/the.florida.farmhouse.coffee or call 941-440-6161.
WHAT'S GOING UP past editions...
What’s Going Up April 2023 | Team DeSoto
What’s Going Up May 2023 | Team DeSoto
What’s Going Up June 2023 | Team DeSoto