Fort Myers' historic Shell Factory shutting down after 85 years

The Shell Factory & Nature Park, a popular Fort Myers roadside attraction since the 1930s, is shutting down and its owner is putting the 18-acre property up for sale.

In a statement issued Monday, the park says that “ongoing maintenance and necessary repairs are costly” and while “significant investments to sustain the Shell Factory’s continued operations (have been made), the sad reality is that the park is no longer viable in its current form.”

The nature park and gift shop will remain open for the last two weekends of September and the park’s two restaurants — the Southern Grill and Tommy’s Outdoor Café — will have limited menus available while supplies last.