I Heart Mac & Cheese Set To Reopen In Cape Coral

When I Heart Mac & Cheese closed their Cape Coral location on Santa Barbara it came as a bit of a surprise. The store had been open for less than a year. Thankfully for us cheese lovers, they're back. I Heart Mac & Cheese (www.iheartmacandcheese.com) has announced that its Cape Coral, Florida location is officially under new ownership and the re-grand opening is set for  Friday, January 5, 2024, at 11 AM. The store location is at 2209 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33991. That's in the shopping center across from Cape Coral High School.

I Heart Mac & Cheese Cape Coral is now owned by husband and wife team, Edwardo and Michelle Fretz, who not only took over this location, they are building a second I Heart Mac & Cheese restaurant in Cape Coral. This one will be seven miles from their other store and will open later in 2024.  Let's show them our support, this is their first business venture together. Here's a few items from their menu.

Ever had tater tots with tomato soup? It's pretty incredible.

We're happy to see this place back in Cape Coral, and with another store planned by the end of the year. Good luck to Edwardo and Michelle, we do love our cheese in Cape Coral. :)

The store has announced The first 25 paying customers will win Free Mac & Cheese Bowl for a year.

It is officially Christmas weekend and the weather is a great improvement over last weekend. Stores are expected to be slammed with last minute shopping. Highways and airports are also expected to be jammed up. If you are hanging out in Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Port Charlotte or surrounding areas the weather is looking great to get out and have some fun in between all of your holiday prep. To help you out, we've put together a list of the top ten things to do Christmas Weekend in Southwest Florida. Here are your Weekend Vibes for December 22nd through 24th.

Santa is making the rounds again this weekend. It appears he needs to keep his weight up because he will be having breakfast with kids at several locations all over Southwest Florida. Scroll down to find a few and make those RSVPs ASAP so you can get a seat at the table.

In addition, there are also lots of ongoing Holiday activities such as Holiday Nights at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Holiday Stroll in Bonita Springs and Christmas at Farmer Mikes. You can find that list here.

For sports fans, it's also time for the annual City of Palms Classic, It is one of the biggest and best high school basketball tournaments in the nation featuring amazing talents. The games take place at Florida SouthWestern College in Fort Myers. They are fun to watch with the entire family.

Finally, if you have any upcoming events that you would like to share, please send them here.  Here are your Weekend Vibes for December 22nd through 24th. Get out and have some local fun at these events while celebrating the season.

*Please note, events are subject to change. It never hurts to confirm.

This is both Friday and Saturday at the The Ritz Beach Resort in Naples. Breakfast is a large buffet of favorites. There will be music, a hot cocoa cart, activity stations and storytime with Mrs. Claus. Santa will take photos and has a gift for all kids in attendance. Seating begins at 8am. More info here.

Charlotte County Public Safety hosts the breakfast from 9 - 11  on Friday. It's in the parking lot of the Charlotte County Public Safety Building, in Punta Gorda, Santa arrives on a fire engine at 9:30 and there are all kinds of kids activities, music and more. Free. RSVP and find more info here.

Have a pancake breakfast with Santa at the Shell Factory in North Fort Myers Saturday from 9-11 a.m. Reservations are required 239-995-2141. Adults $9. Children 12 and under $8. You can also see Santa in the Shell Factory Christmas House. More info here. 

Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers hosts this annual event. Hop on the small train and ride through a holiday village and lights display. It goes through January 1st. $5 ages six and up. Monday through Friday 10– 2:00, nightly 6 –9. Sat. & Sun. 10am – 9pm. Christmas Eve 10-4. Closed Christmas day. $5 ages six and up. More info here.

Get your last minute shopping down while enjoying entertainment that includes carolers, a snow show and more. Santa will also be there for photos and Christmas wishes. Venetian Village. Saturday 3-7pm. More info here.

It's your last chance to catch this fun show at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater in Fort Myers. The show is an adaptation of the movie and has been getting great reviews. It runs through Chritmas Day. Ticket prices vary. More info here.

Burn some holiday calories at this holiday themed race. It takes place at Eagle Lakes Community Park in Naples. Saturday 8am. There is no walk up registration so be sure to do it in advance. More info here.

Cape Coral's annual holiday boat parade was canceled last weekend due to inclement weather. It is an event typically hosted by the city. However, a group of residents have decided the show will still go on, perhaps with less fanfare but with the same enthusiasm. It begins at Bimini Basin Saturday. Boats gather at 6:30 and set sail at 7pm. More info here.

Fort Myers Woman’s Community Club's Holiday House typically takes place at the  historic Burroughs and Langford-Kingston homes along the Caloosahatchee. This year the event has shifted to downtown Fort Myers. They have decorated more than 20 windows along First Street. Check them out through Dec. 31. Free. First Street in Downtown Fort Myers. More info here.

This exciting basketball tournament is turning 50 and has been going on for several days. Games continue through the weekend at Florida SouthWestern College in Fort Myers. College and pro scouts from around the country are among those in attendance, looking for the next big hoops stars. Here you are said to see the future of the NBA. More info here.