Yes, the headline’s misleading.  I didn’t actually get to sample any of the Sticky Licky Ice Cream Store’s wares.  It wasn’t open when I stumbled on it last week, ever on the lookout for recycled gas stations.

This place is across the state from me, over in Fort Myers Beach.

Yes, the same Fort Myers Beach that was ground zero for Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022.  There’ve been no posts on the Sticky Licky Facebook page since then and its website is inactive.

Gone for good?  I don’t know. There is a sign for a remodeling company posted on the property.  So either a new business is going to relocate there or the place will be repaired and reopened for ice cream licking.  I generally don’t care what uses are made of these former gas stations, but my vote is for the sweets.

This place is on the mainland portion of town, and not out on the barrier island.  Some damage yes, but not demolition.  I drove along the coastal island road a bit and it looks like New Jersey did after Hurricane Sandy, just flattened. 

Even so, just a block away from here I saw a huge sailboat that had been blown out of a canal into someone’s backyard.

My main concern to be honest is what happened to the pink elephant. I know what happened to at least one of the large rocking chairs. I spotted it in a parking lot across the street.

Below are a couple shots from last week and a few photos of the place in its heyday, courtesy of the Facebook page and Google Earth.

And below that are some shots from my paddle on Telegraph Creek with some friends from Connecticut, the event that got me over to the Fort Myers area to begin with.

Today:

Pre-hurricane:

Our paddle on Telegraph Creek:

Finally, to take care of MY business:  Here are all of my recycled gas stations.  And here’s all you ever want to know about pink elephants.