COASTE | PERSONALITIES
Gumbo and cornmeal-breaded fried Okra, to choice grilled steaks. Wafts of Cajun spices and sizzling seafood permeate the place, which is a unique, charming, light and airy site to behold — a décor of water- inspired elements and art. Open this November, SS Hookers is just the latest in the Stilwell Enterprises and Restaurants Group portfolio, which makes this entrepreneur’s success almost look easy. However, her journey to this pinnacle and her commitment to continue it hasn’t always been an easy course.
called anyway. When a resort investment was flailing due to poor dining numbers, Stilwell took it as a personal challenge. A single mother of two sons, she put herself through Cornell University’s Food and Beverage Management program, learning the business side of restaurant operations. Armed with that knowledge, Stilwell turned the property around, and in doing so discovered both a talent and passion for the industry.
In 1999, Stilwell purchased the Captiva Island Inn and was landlord to the Terrace
Born in Chicago, Stilwell’s family resettled in Southwest Florida when she was a young girl — becoming Cape Coral’s sixteenth residential family. Her grandparents owned the Memory Lane Cottages, now The Lighthouse Island Resort (still operated by her brother), and by the time Stilwell was 12 years old she was washing dishes in her uncle’s nearby restaurant. Up at 5AM, she exhibited the work ethic that drives her to this day.
Tropical Grille, eventually buying out the tenants and creating Keylime Bistro. The restaurant has won a Wine Spectator award twice — just one example of the dramatic changes made to create unique appeal
at this quirky, i s l a nd s - s t y l i n g e s t a b l i s hme n t . From there she acquired adjacent Captiva Village food outlets RC Otters, Latte Da Coffee and Ice
“I didn’t set out to be a restaurateur,” she states firmly, but the restaurant business called anyway. - Sandy Stillwell
Cream Shop, Cantina Captiva and the Sunshine Seafood Cafe. “I needed the parking,” she laughs, “and I was tired of arguing over it.”
“I didn’t set out to be a restaurateur,” she states firmly, but the restaurant business
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