Sanibel and Captiva small businesses hold a ‘meet and grieve’

Small businesses on Sanibel and Captiva came together in a big way on Wednesday. They shared hugs, ideas, and grief.

The businesses on Sanibel and Captiva all have one thing in common now, destruction from Hurricane Ian.

They are pulling together in hopes of rebuilding as a team.

It’s going to be a long process to bring their business back, but they’re not going anywhere.

You can hear from some of the business owners in the video above.

“We’re such a tight community here,” said Robin Cook, a financial advisor and the executive vice president for Suncoast Equity Management. “Everybody’s having a hard time, but we’re all helping each other.”

The Sanibel and Captiva small business owners are all still dealing with the aftermath of Ian. On this day of gathering for friends old and new, they smiled and grieved together, and now they are rebuilding together.

“You look around, and it’s really tough,” said Kirkland. “Because it’s home.”

“My sister has a business also on the island, a cleaning business, and there’s no homes to clean right now,” Cook said.

“Nobody likes to feel alone, and it is comforting to know that you have others going through the same,” said vacation realtor Patience Rodriguez.