Sunday, July 26, 2026
After 23 years, Cars on 5th is leaving Naples
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Storms are likely this afternoon with a high near 90 — a Sunday built for a long brunch and an early swim. The stunner: after 23 years, Cars on 5th says it's leaving town after the city denied its permit.
Today
All clear at the beaches — go early
FWC's latest samples show no red tide at Vanderbilt, Barefoot, Seagate, South Marco or the Pier, and high tide hits 10:43 a.m. Get your swim in before the afternoon storms roll through.
'Come from Away' auditions are Saturday
The Naples Players hold open auditions Aug. 1 from noon to 4 p.m., and all ages and experience levels are welcome — the show runs Nov. 18 through Dec. 20 in the Kizzie Theater.
Local News
Cars on 5th is looking for a new home
The city denied the show's permit over crowding and safety concerns, ending a 23-year run that packed Fifth Avenue South with Ferraris every February and raised real money for local charities. Organizers are now shopping for a venue — likely outside city limits.
The old dog track gets a $140M second act
Construction has started on Elevate SWFL, a 20-acre sports and wellness complex at the former Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track in Bonita Springs, with full build-out by 2030. A rare productive answer for a site that's sat mostly idle since the dogs stopped running.
An 11-mile rail trail goes to a vote Aug. 18
Bonita voters will decide whether to borrow up to $35 million to buy an inactive rail corridor for the Bonita Estero Rail Trail, a multiuse path that would connect down into Collier. If it passes, it's the closest thing we'd have to a car-free route north.
Golden Gate Estates gets a new fire-EMS station
Greater Naples Fire Rescue and Collier EMS opened joint Station 74, which should shave minutes off response times out east — and could help nudge homeowners' insurance down for Estates addresses.
Naples Botanical Garden banks its 1 millionth seed
Among them: the woolly lupine, one of the rarest plants in Southwest Florida. It's a quiet insurance policy for our native habitats, tucked away seed by seed.
Food & Drink
Michelbob's is bringing its ribs to North Naples
The longtime ribs institution is opening an 80-seat spot at 14700 Tamiami Trail N. this summer — the first time North Naples gets its baby backs without the drive to the East Naples original or the Marco takeout window.
Where to brunch this morning
Gulfshore Life rounded up the best brunches in town, bottomless bubbles and seafood spreads included — and in locals' season, you can actually get a table.