WHAT'S GOING UP ...

While development continues in DeSoto County, June's "What's Going Up" edition focuses more on local businesses dealing with rebuilds and renovations leftover from Hurricane Ian damages. 

Horse Creek Retreat

*Photos by Daniel Sutphin

Horse Creek Retreat, 8806 SW Start Center St., has reopened some of their waterfront cottages; however, they continue to rebuild. The retreat brings guests back to old Florida living with 10-plus acres of pristine waterfront adventure.

After Hurricane Ian, the retreat suffered heavy damage from high floods, winds and more. They continue to rebuild and renovate their facilities. 

The good news: open cottages are already getting booked.

 "It’s nice to have people that have been here before to come back," owner Meagan Joseph said. "I didn’t even have it online (to advertise our reopening). 

"Our first three bookings were people who just continued to call and ask, 'Hey, are you back open yet? We really want to come back' and that’s from people out of the state that just wanted to be here and be around the area ... They love downtown. They wanted to know what was back open; it feels really good to have things back open. We will continue to work really hard and get everything repaired."

Joseph added that they have been working tirelessly to get their retreat up and running again. 

"We’ve been working hard and it feels good to have people coming back instead of just coming back to help us repair things," she said. "This area ... people love it from all over -- from out of the state and from anywhere in the state."

With several different accommodation styles, the retreat offers amenities to please the whole family, including kayaking, fishing, fossil hunting and more. 

For more information, go to HorseCreekRetreat.com or call  847-338-2078,

Persnickety Arcadia

*Photos provided by Persnickety Arcadia, Facebook

UPDATE: Persnickety Arcadia reopened their location at 1003 E. Oak St. on  July 10, 2023.

Renovations and repairs are ongoing at Persnickety Arcadia, 1003 E. Oak St. Owners plan to reopen around July 10, 2023.

Hurricane Ian caused massive damage to their roof, leading to water damage inside the building.

Owner Angie Wilson said they have had a huge amount of support and help from local businesses.

"So far we have used Gopher Roofing, James Dubose Inc (air-condition), AL Homeremodeling LLC (paint), Overhault (metal for roof), Sign Tech (in Punta Gorda) and Buck's Tractor Service (dumpster)," Wilson said. "We still have to add gutters after paint and I believe that will be done by DeSoto Seamless Gutters."

Persnickety does have a second location in Punta Gorda, 258 W Marion Ave. While the repairs continue, Wilson said they are still taking online orders at the Arcadia location.

"I am doing parking lot pick-ups from 8-10 a.m. every day," Wilson wrote in a June 14 Facebook post. "You can also shop on our website. I will ship or meet you for store pick-up."

Work continues inside the building. Wilson has since met with both county and city of Arcadia inspectors. 

For more information, go to Persnickety Jewelry and Gifts, find them on Facebook.com/persnicketyjewelryandgifts, or call 941- 205-8908.

Crews Bank & Trust North Arcadia branch

*Photos and renderings provided by Crews Bank & Trust

Fix-ups continue at the Crews Bank & Trust's North Arcadia branch, 400 N. Brevard Ave.

Bank representatives said they are planning to reopen the branch by early 2024 after a complete renovation.

"The building sustained significant flood damage from Hurricane Ian and has remain closed since the storm to ensure the safety of customers, employees and community," Crews marketing specialist Hailey Palmer said.

She added that the bank is using this opportunity to enhance the north Arcadia location to better serve DeSoto County residents.

"Customers will be welcomed back by the same familiar faces that have served them at the hometown bank. This year marks 50 years of Crews Bank & Trust being part of the Arcadia community," Palmer said. 

The Crews Bank location at 2747 SE Highway 70, Arcadia, outside of Walmart Supercenter, remains open and operational. For more information about the bank, go to Crews.bank/arcadia-north-office or call 863-993-1500.

Nav-A-Gator Grill

*Photos provided by Nav-A-Gator Grill, Facebook

Rebuild continues at Nav-A-Gator Grill's location in the Lake Suzy area, 9700 S.W. Riverview Circle. 

Representatives could not be reached for comment but, in a June 6 Facebook post, they wrote roof and inside framing was ongoing with no official re-opening date set at the time. 

"Stay tuned," they said, adding that repairs and updates are also underway for the restaurant's docks and marina.

For more information, go to Nav-A-Gator.com or find updates at Facebook.com/navagator.grill. 

The Historic Heard Opera House

*Photos provided

Despite major structural damage during Hurricane Ian, the Historic Heard Opera House representatives rallied early and were able to rebuild and renovate the entire roof, walls and interior.

Some parts of the building are still under renovation, but the opera house and interior shops are fully open and operating.

The Heard Opera House reopened earlier this year, playing host to a series of weekend events and nightly live music showcases and activities. Opera house managers Krissy Constantino and Danny Mastrodonato have since turned the building into a nightlife destination in downtown Arcadia, where most businesses typically close by 5 p.m. 

"We are and have been fully open for months," Opera House manager Krissy Consantino said. "We have most weekends booked up and our studio spaces are always open. There is something to do nearly every night."

The venue is also available to rent for private parties.

Along with its theater and stage, the opera house hosts a variety of small businesses and music studios.

Opera house runners also just wrapped a week-long theater summer camp for kids that concluded with a performance of the school musical "I Need a Vacation." Family members filled the theater to watch the performance. 

Due to the success of the camp, Constantino said they are planning another theater workshop at the end of July. 

For more information, find Heard Opera House at Facebook.com/OperaHouseArcadia, or call 863-444-6570.

WHAT'S GOING UP other editions...

• What’s Going Up April 2023 | Team DeSoto

• What’s Going Up May 2023 | Team DeSoto 

• What’s Going Up July 2023 | Team DeSoto