Concern brewing about the future of Bell Tower Shops

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Concern is brewing at Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers. Some WINK News viewers have even contacted us about talk of rent increasing, stores closing and projects in limbo.

Just within the last month, Ann Taylor and a coffee shop closed their doors for good; and anchor retailer, Saks Fifth Avenue, has a lease that expires next year.

There’s been speculation as to whether the high end retailer will stay or go. A Saks spokeswoman tells our partners at the News-Press that they don’t have a comment right now but that “people have been talking about this for a long time”.

“Bell Tower Shops is undergoing a renaissance right now,” says Shannon Densham, marketing manager.

WINK News tried to ask managers at Bell Tower about recent stores, like Ann Taylor, moving out but they refused to answer our questions.

“Over time there are folks that have been here for over 30 years and they’re ready to retire and conversely there’s new and exciting merchants that come on board,” said Densham.

With the popularity of places like World of Beer and the movie theater, some say Bell Tower would be better suited as an entertainment destination but management tells us they’re not looking to leave their reputation as a high end shopping center–but just become more modern.

In a push to become a more current area, the Haven Lounge is expected to come to Bell Tower but many have questioned when it will actually happen. They wouldn’t give us an exact date for construction to begin but say they’re in the process of the getting the permit.