NOTE: The Shell Factory did not just sell. It surrendered to time, weather, and economics. That is the hard truth. North Fort Myers lost more than a roadside attraction. It lost a shared memory. Kids fed turtles there. Families marked birthdays there. Visitors learned what “Old Florida” once meant. Warehouses and outdoor storage may be practical. They are not magical. Progress often arrives with a balance sheet and leaves nostalgia unpaid. No developer is required to preserve sentiment. But communities are allowed to mourn. The Shell Factory was imperfect, eccentric, and beloved. Those places rarely survive modern Florida. This piece, “Iconic Shell Factory Sold,” was first published on FLGulfNews.com.
By Richard Luthmann
(North Fort Myers, Florida) – The Shell Factory, a nearly century-old landmark in North Fort Myers, has officially changed hands after entertaining generations of visitors. The 18-acre property was sold in mid-January for approximately $3.925 million to a Boca Raton, Florida-based company. The sale closed on January 15, 2026, and was recorded by Lee County officials the next day.
Commercial brokers Gary Tasman, Lane Boy, and Shawn Stoneburner of Cushman & Wakefield represented the seller, Shell Factory LLC, and announced the deal after a competitive bidding process. The buyer, described as an “owner-user,” owns other property in the area and has not been publicly identified by name.
Established in 1938, the Shell Factory became a famous roadside attraction and “Old Florida” tourist stop along Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41). Over more than 80 years, it evolved into a multifaceted destination – part seashell shop, part wildlife park, part museum, and part kitschy family fun center. Visitors could browse thousands of shells and souvenirs, see stuffed alligators and live animals in the nature park, ride a carousel, or even zip-line across the property.
Local couple Tom and Pam Cronin bought the aging attraction in the late 1990s and revitalized it with new exhibits and activities, ushering in a resurgence of popularity in the 2000s. The Shell Factory remained a beloved institution for regional school trips, family outings, and tourists alike until it fell on hard times in recent years…