Article from "Sanibel & Captiva: A Guide to the Islands"

There's no Jimmy Buffett music playing at Bailey's General Store (in Bailey's Shopping Center, Periwinkle Way at Tarpon Bay Rd.; Sanibel; 472- 7576). It's way too authentic for that. Founded in 1899 by Frank Bailey and run today by his sons, Bailey's is the heart and soul of the islands. From the street it looks like a simple combination grocery- and-hardware store.

But Bailey's history as a true general store has made it a catch-all for whatever islanders need. Here they'll change your watch battery, propane tank or fishing line, ship your fruit, or repair your vacuum cleaner. They ship UPS packages now, too, and develop film. Don't miss the to-die-for home-made fudge The bakery has excellent key lime pie (it should -the Baileys used to farm key limes). The hardware side of the store sells fishing supplies, live bait (shrimp), fishing licenses and a few appliances, toys and gifts.

Every sanibellian seems to have different reasons to love Bailey's. Ours: they have handles on their paper bags, and they give kids free cookies. Bailey's charm is most visible during Baileyfest, the free-food carnival it throws for islanders each fall, and during a tropical storm, when it's one of the few places that stays open. And, yes, the legendary Bailey brothers are still here, running it all. The thin one is Sam; the jolly one is Francis.


Reprinted from Sanibel & Captiva A Guide to the Islands

By Julie & Mike Neal

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