In the Know: Irma-battered Stein Mart in Bonita to reopen this week; Winn-Dixie still closed

Q: Very disappointed to see Stein Mart at the Prada close. Any chance they're just remodeling and will open again? The store always seemed to be busy.
— Lori Gill, Bonita Springs

A: Stein Mart off U.S. 41 in Bonita Springs has been only temporarily closed because it was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma.

The department store is finally set to reopen this week, said Linda Tasseff, director of investor relations for the Jacksonville-based chain.

“We’ve made great progress and now believe we can soft open Wednesday,” Tasseff said.

The Sept. 10 hurricane damaged the roof of the 28,000-square-foot store that anchors Prado at Spring Creek shopping center, 25141 U.S. 41 S. Everything in the store was destroyed by the elements. Restored during the past two months, the store had to be renovated with a new ceiling and interior walls.

Stein Mart is calling the relaunch this week in time for Black Friday shopping a soft opening, because the store may not be fully stocked or operating perfectly yet. The grand reopening is scheduled for Nov. 30.

“The new fixtures and merchandise are being set now. Our associates are working very hard to get the store up and running for the community and the holiday selling season,” Tasseff said.

The store sells discounted men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, plus a variety of housewares and home decor. The chain also has area stores on U.S. 41 in Fort Myers, North Naples and East Naples.

Winn-Dixie status

The Winn-Dixie supermarket on the northwest corner of Collier Boulevard and Vanderbilt Beach Road may not reopen until early next year. The local store has been closed for more than 11 weeks because of severe damage from Hurricane Irma.

“This store received some fairly extensive damage during Hurricane Irma,” said Joe Caldwell, a corporate spokesman for Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers, the parent company for Winn-Dixie. “While all may not be visible from the store’s front exterior, there is significant work being done to help remediate and repair the interior of the building. Be assured we’re working hard to get this store open for our Naples customers.”

A target reopening date is not available yet for the more than 50,000-square-foot store at 7550 Mission Hills Drive, Caldwell said.

A large plate-glass window high above the store’s main entrance blew in during the Sept. 10 hurricane and took out the second set of automatic doors leading into the store. Most of the store’s inventory was damaged.

Although the supermarket is closed, Winn-Dixie’s adjacent liquor store in Mission Hills shopping center is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. The supermarket’s pharmacy, temporarily operating in a trailer in front of the store, is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

The nearest Winn-Dixie stores are at 5034 Coronado Parkway and Golden Gate Parkway in Golden Gate and at 8951 Bonita Beach Road and U.S. 41 in Bonita Springs.

Have a local question? Email it with your name and city of residence to intheknow@naplesnews.com. Tim Aten’s "In the Know" is published every Monday and Wednesday. Like In the Know on Facebook now at facebook.com/timaten.intheknow.