Iconic Southwest Florida Attraction Opens Off-Site Store on Saturday, April 27
FT. MYERS, FL, April, 24, 2013 – Announcement was made today by Madison Marquette Retail Services (MMRS) that its premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination Bell Tower Shops will debut Edison Ford Shoppe, a museum store with merchandise, programming and activities representative of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates collection. The 2,701 square foot store will open at Bell Tower on April 27, 2013. It is the first off-site store for the highly popular area attraction, and all store proceeds will go towards the Estates, a nonprofit entity.
“We are delighted to welcome the Edison & Ford Winter Estates Store to Bell Tower,” said Valerie Cope, Director of Marketing for Bell Tower Shops and MMRS. “This local nonprofit jewel is a Florida Historic Landmark and a designated official project of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. By extending the museum’s brand to Bell Tower, we partner with an educational and iconic part of Florida and America’s history and culture,” Cope added.
The new shop will sell merchandise focused on Southwest Florida history and the arts, including locally made food, such as honey and tea, and art by local artists. There will be an extensive book selection, including literature, history, science and children’s books, and those about Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. The store will also have a wide variety of gardening products, a reflection of the spectacular gardens at the estate, as well as seedlings, planters, flowers and bamboo. The Shoppe will offer events that complement Bell Tower’s ongoing offerings.
“Bell Tower Shops has 30-year history in Ft. Myers and opening at the center allows us to reach more of the community,” said Chris Pendleton, President and & CEO of Edison & Ford Winter Estates. “It is the place for locals to shop, and this is a way for us to introduce the Estates to people we might not have otherwise reached, and to educate the community at large on the good works and wonderful offerings available from the Estates.”
The Edison & Ford Winter Estates are is one of the most visited historic home sites in America. The Estates host more than 20 acres of botanical gardens, nine historic buildings including Edison’s Botanic Research Laboratory and the Estates Museum that showcases inventions, artifacts and special exhibit galleries.
The new store joins a dynamic line-up of retail and dining options at Bell Tower Shops including Saks Fifth Avenue, Williams-Sonoma, White House | Black Market, Ann Taylor, Chico’s, Banana Republic and Francesca’s Collections. With its vibrant mix of national chains and independent, locally-owned boutiques and restaurants, Bell Tower is the perfect home for this new nonprofit outpost and for other worthy similar organizations whose mission matches Bell Tower’s commitment to excellence.
About Madison Marquette Retail Services (MMRS):
MMRS provides a full range of real estate services for 20 million square feet of retail and mixed-use properties throughout the United States. The company specializes in enhancing the value of retail assets through an integrated approach to leasing, property management, marketing and development services. MMRS has offices located in Charlotte, Dallas, Ft. Lauderdale, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, DC.
About Bell Tower Shops
Bell Tower Shops is an open-air lifestyle center, located in Fort Myers at U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, with more than 40 retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and The Fresh Market, 10 restaurants and Bell Tower 20 Regal Cinemas. Bell Tower hosts a vibrant year-round event calendar including Kidding Around every Tuesday from 5-7p.m. and Twilight at the Tower every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the center. To learn more, follow Bell Tower Shops on Facebook, visit www.TheBellTowerShops.com or call 239-489-1221.
