SanCap Chamber welcomes new beginnings with MacIntosh Books, John Grey Painting ribbon-cuttings
SanCap Chamber ribbon-cuttings last week celebrated the comeback of two longtime island businesses: MacIntosh Books + Paper at 1620 Periwinkle Way on March 12 and John Grey Painting at 695 Tarpon Bay Road on March 14.
Macintosh Books originally opened in 1960 and has lived in a few locations around Sanibel under a handful of different owners in its 64 years, starting with William and Dorothy MacIntosh. Rebecca Binkowski purchased the bookshop in 2017, after managing it for six years. Having lost her Village Shops store and most of its inventory in September 2022, she relocated with several island businesses to Bell Tower shops in Fort Myers for a year as she started rebuilding at a new location in Heart of the Islands shopping center.
“I’m thrilled to bring it back to Sanibel after Hurricane Ian and usher it into its next evolution. It is the very definition of a community bookstore,” Binkowski said. “It feels amazing to be home and part of the recovery. We heal through sharing our stories and listening to one another. Every business that opens creates a safe space for learning more about what we need from one another to get back to ‘normal.’ We’re giving each other hope, and hope is everything!”
She welcomes the added space in the new location as the shop continues to build out with a fall target date to have everything in place with more books, stationery, and events. Current hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
“What would Sanibel Island be without a bookshop? And Rebecca is the ideal of the community’s independent, small-business model,” said John Lai, SanCap Chamber president and CEO. “The island seemed incomplete without the MacIntosh tradition and Rebecca and her ready willingness to participate in events and celebrations to support the community.”
“The chamber meetings were such an essential way to connect with others in the business community while we were in Fort Myers,” said Binkowski. “John and the board checked on us, offered us tools to get the word out about our interim location, and helped keep our spirits up. I’m grateful for their support.”
John Grey Painting’s history dates to 1967 in Southwest Florida. In 1972, the company began working on Sanibel Island and eventually shifted its focus to serving the island community.
“Our family-owned enterprise has grown into a full-service contracting company, specializing in renovations, decorating, and painting for both residential and commercial properties,” said founder and co-owner John Grey. His sons, Derrick and Nate, joined the business initially as employees and have since become partners.
“The cornerstone of John Grey Painting’s success lies in its commitment to customer satisfaction and delivering top-notch quality experiences,” said Grey. “By helping customers clearly articulate their needs and desires, the company ensures that every project is executed to perfection.”
Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc on the company’s former location, a block from the new office. After the storm, the team worked out of Nate’s home in Fort Myers initially and eventually relocated to Pine Ridge Road, where they own an office and warehouse.
Roughly three weeks post-storm, John Grey’s Painting began sending crews to the island daily, thanks to the generosity of a friend who lent a boat. Since then, crews have completed work on approximately 900 homes and businesses on the island. The firm continues to deploy four to five crews into the field daily, continuing their efforts toward full recovery.
“Clients have been incredibly understanding of the challenges we’ve faced,” said Grey. “They’ve shown patience and flexibility as we work hard to serve them efficiently while prioritizing quality. It’s heartening to know that clients value the quality of our work and are willing to wait to receive the best results possible.”
The firm’s new offices offer a brighter environment and more accessibility without stairs to navigate.
“Having one of our own well-established contract services return to the islands boosts confidence levels and optimism for the community,” said Lai. “Just one more positive sign as we strive to push the needle on the recovery timeline.”
“The Chamber of Commerce has been a steadfast pillar of support for the local businesses and community during the recovery period,” said Grey. “As a stabilizing force, they have provided a foundation for businesses to rebuild and thrive, serving as a stepping stone for the island’s economic recovery. They’ve played a vital role in fostering unity and resilience in the face of challenges.”
ABOUT SANCAP CHAMBER
The SanCap Chamber is dedicated to promoting the prosperity of its members and preserving the quality of life of our community. The Chamber plays a key role in facilitating communication and cooperation between business, residents, and government to enhance the economic health of the islands. Its website, sanibel-captiva.org, receives over 1.3 million visits per year. For more information about the chamber, visit sanibel-captiva.org or contact John Lai, president and CEO, at 239-472-2348 or [email protected].
