Local VFW post may close because of rising rent, state crackdown

NAPLES, Fla.- The VFW post on Bayshore Drive may be forced to close because of rising rent and the recent state crackdown on so-called “strip mall casinos.”

“We’re the veterans of foreign wars. These guys served overseas. They’ve been shot at,” said post Vice Commander, Ed Messer.

The 120 active members may be out on the street, because their rent is about to skyrocket. The new landlord is trying to charge them $5,000 a month, a $1,500 increase from what they usually pay.

“If this closed, I don’t know where they’d go,” said member Roger Lipko.

Lipko’s dad was a World War II veteran. He and his wife, Shirley are now members of the VFW. They say it honors him and they get to socialize with the veterans. Many, bike or walk from home.

“Some of them are lost souls. They’re lonely. They’re single. They just want to talk,” said member Shirley Lipko.

They also want to give back. Last year, the post gave more than $10,000 in charitable donations to the community through raffles, toy drives and fundraisers.

“We hit the right spots,” said Messer. “It doesn’t go national or state. We take care of the homeless guys in East Naples when it’s rainy and it’s cold and they need groceries.”

The post is also struggling because of the recent state crackdown on so-called strip mall casinos. The post used to make about $2,000 a month off of video gambling machines. But in May, the state made the post remove them.

Now, the veterans are writing state lawmakers to make an exception, hoping they’ll be able to keep their doors open and continue to give back to local veterans.

“This is their spot and they do good for others,” said Messer. “They’re gonna lose a little of that.”

Messer says they only have enough money to last a few months and are actively looking for space to rent.