Shells shuts downA one-time Gulf Coast institution that used to attract lines outside its locations that featured shelled peanuts, grouper sandwiches and wall paintings of local celebrities, Shells Seafood Restaurants Inc., is closing its doors.Two more for Chapter 11Bill Heard Chevrolet, a Plant City mainstay business for many years, recently closed days before mounting losses forced its parent company in Columbus, Ga. to file for protection from creditors in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.Yacht club project sailsThe Sarasota City Commission recently approved a $55 million yacht club and redevelopment project for an area just north of downtown Sarasota that promises to bring more than 100 jobs to the region, not to mention a jolt to the sagging local construction industry.Lee County manager clearedAn independent review of Lee County Manager Donald Stillwell found no evidence that he lied to county commissioners about his ownership in land whose value could be affected by their decisions.Airport traffic down 8%Southwest Florida International Airport saw an 8% decline in passenger traffic in August compared with the same month a year ago. Nearly 449,000 passengers traveled through the Fort Myers airport.FGCU gets $600,000Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers received a $600,000 gift from North Carolina-based banking company BB&T Corp. to establish the BB&T Distinguished Professorship in Free Enterprise at the Lutgert College
