The Shell Factory

The Shell Factory, located off US 41 in North Fort Myers, is over 70 years old and a testament to perseverance. Despite being damaged by Hurricane Donna in 1960, nearly destroyed by a fire in 1980, ignored after the completion of I-75 detoured traffic away from US 41 in the mid 1980s, and in the clutches of bankruptcy in 1997, it remains as a historic tourist attraction thanks to Tom Cronin, a local businessman, who looked to preserve a piece of Florida history by saving the Shell Factory and improving upon its original stature.

The Shell Factory has always been a mega attraction for its massive collection of seashells, as well as, for its many shops of jewelry, Florida Style casual wear, Christmas items, collectibles, shell craft items and souvenirs. However, multimillion dollar renovations have added to the family entertainment experience with bumper boats, miniature golf and a nature park consisting of hundreds of animals, a petting zoo and a 7,000 square foot aviary with tropical landscaping and colorful birds.The renovations have also brought back some of the Shell Factory’s original flavor with a Florida souvenir and sweet shop, an old-fashioned fudge shop and an ice cream shop.

A steak and seafood restaurant, an outdoor bar, a post office, a Subway eatery, as well as, the largest free private Natural History Exhibit have also found a home at the Shell Factory. The Shell Factory remains in a constant flux of change while giving respect to the past, celebrating the present and looking to future.

The Shell Factory is open seven days a week where their motto is “At the Shell Factory we guarantee a warm welcome, magic moments and a fond farewell.”