Island Outpost Owner Has Plans to Expand

Paul Kalli might not have been born and raised in America, but he understands what it takes to be successful in business here.

After moving to the U.S. seven years ago from his native England, where he ran several businesses, Kalli opened the on Causeway Boulevard in August 2010. But he soon realized there wasn’t enough traffic in the area for his restaurant to thrive. 

Scratch that. There was plenty of traffic, just not enough of it stopping at his establishment. 

“This is a busy road. Thousands of cars go past here each day, but roughly 1 in 50 cars stop here,” he said. “I’m hoping to change that.” 

Understanding city officials want to add more retail development along the scenic causeway, Kalli aims to take advantage of that by building a 5,300-square-foot complex that will feature a beachwear store, a coffee shop and a convenience store.

The complex will connect to the Island Outpost via a long boardwalk deck along the sidewalk. From the outside, the building will appear to be three or four shops, but in reality it will be one large store, with residential property on the side and in the back. 

“There’s no development going on here at the moment because everybody’s afraid to take the first step," Kalli said. “I plan on doing that.” 

Commission Would Have to Approve Development

One city official stressed the fact that the plans are in the early stages, and though city management approves of such development along the causeway, any final approval would ultimately have to come from the city commission. 

“It’s my understanding that what Mr. Kalli wants to do goes right along with our causeway corridor development study, which recommended retail development extend out to the street on the mainland side of the causeway,” Greg Rice, the city's director of planning and development, said by phone. 

Rice added, “If you can bring your development closer to the road and provide parking behind it, it encourages a more pedestrian feel. We found that the mass majority of people are in favor of that, and it’s my understanding Mr. Kalli intends to comply with that plan.” 

Owner Hopes to Begin Construction Within a Year

Kalli said he has already completed a site survey of the property, and he will have an architect start on the design as soon as he gets approval from city commissioners regarding the size of the residential space.

He hopes to begin construction on the retail complex in the next 12 months. 

But no matter when his planned project starts to take shape, he knows what he's doing is necessary to encourage commercial growth in the area.

“People travel up and down the causeway every day, but in between no one stops," he said. "What will stop them dead is a retail shop where you can buy a pail and a shovel … and a T-shirt that says Caladesi Island.”