Fort Myers center expands list of tenants with two restaurants

A shopping, dining and entertainment center in Fort Myers is expanding by two restaurants. 

Bell Tower has added McGregor’s Public House and La Ola Surfside Restaurant to its growing list of tenants. Both restaurants are expected to open this spring, according to a statement. 

“The two new restaurants announced today are exciting additions to Bell Tower that we believe our guests will heartily embrace,” Jim Brennan, general manager of the shopping center, says in the release. “The changes that have taken place at Bell Tower over the past year are transforming Bell Tower into ‘the’ place to be in Fort Myers to connect with people before, during and after work and to rediscover the art of shopping and the delight of dining.”

McGregor’s Public House was founded by Fort Myers residents Tom and Meagan McGregor as an Irish-influenced gastropub. The 3,640-square-foot restaurant will feature craft and traditional beers, wine and a menu that combines Irish and American comfort food. It will be located on the north side of Bell Tower, adjacent to Talbot’s. 

La Ola Surfside Restaurant at Bell Tower is the second of its brand, which has a location at Fort Myers Beach. That location, now operating out of shipping containers, was destroyed during Hurricane Ian. 

The new spot will feature steak and seafood dishes, burritos, tacos and the “World Famous Nachos,” as named on the menu. The 4,136 square foot space will take up residence in the center court at Bell Tower across from Pink Pineapple. 

Bell Tower is an open-air center on Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers that is owned and operated by Madison Marquette, a real estate investor, developer and service provider. The center’s owners recently finished a major renovation of the property, which included adding new gathering areas and landscaping.

The center has been growing its portfolio of new retailers over the past year, now including:

• Zero Empty Spaces, a studio space provider
• Claire’s, global fashion brand
• Ocean View & 7th, local women’s boutique.
• Burntwood Tavern, an eatery
• CycleBar, indoor cycling space
• Issa Beauty Studio, beauty services provider
• It’s a Nauti Thing, retailer

The center has also become home to retailers who were impacted by Hurricane Ian, including Adventures in Paradise Outfitters, Bubbly Latitude, Congress Jewelers, MacIntosh Books + Paper and Sanibel Candle Company.