Sam's Club no longer interested in East Naples site

The vacant former Publix on the southern corner of U.S. 41 and Airport-Pulling Road will stay vacant a little longer now that Sam’s Club is no longer interested in opening its second store in Collier County.

The company, which had sought a zoning change to anchor the Courthouse Shadows shopping center, has put a two-year freeze on new expansions, developers who own the site said Tuesday.

Developer Kite Realty Group still asked for zoning change, approved unanimously by commissioners, in case the store comes back.

“We want to go through with this in case Sam’s Club comes back to site,” said Rich Yovanovich, a lawyer who represents the developers. “We’re not going to wait for them. But if we’re unable to find attractive tenants for the site, then hopefully Sam’s Club will be our Plan B.”

Sam’s Club would have provided a much-needed anchor to the strip mall at the site, which has struggled with vacancies for years.

Commissioner Penny Taylor said she’s hopeful developers will find a mixed-use tenant that can bring in places to shop and live in the strip.

“I’m so glad because hopefully they can find something more urban and viable and that serves the public more than a big box store,” Taylor said. “They’re going to aggressively pursue other companies and I hope they find one that won’t hurt other businesses in the area.”

While they approved the zoning change, commissioners did not approve variances Sam’s Club requested to build a gas station and less landscaping than normally required.