CAPTIVA ISLAND, Fla. — Two iconic prosperities are now up for sale in Captiva Island.
This Jensen family business has been operating since the 1970s.
It started forty-five years ago when Red and Betty Jensen visited Captiva Island and fell in love with the location.
John Jensen, son of Red and Betty Jensen, says the first business to open was Jensen's on the Gulf Beach Resort.
"Our father, 45-years ago, was coming around the corner and saw a lot for sale, he fell in love with it and purchased that lot and built Jensen's on the Gulf Beach Resort," said Jensen.
Jensen says his father also ended up buying the original Captiva Island post office and making part of the resort.
A year later, Red and Betty Jensen purchased where Jensen's Twin Palm Cottages and Marina Resort is now.
Jensen and his siblings later joined their parents to help run both properties.
The plan was to run them for a few years and then sell, but the family ended up falling in love.
John Jensen, his two brothers, and sister are co-owners of both properties.
"We've met so many people, it's just been fantastic," said Jensen.
Some of those people include high profile celebrities, and they have a whole museum filled with signed pictures to prove it.
"Over here, I'm standing with John F. Kennedy Jr.; he took a boat from here, and here we have Christopher Walken," said Jensen.
Jensen says people aren't the only visitors who frequent the marina.
"We have manatees right here; we counted 15 the other day," said Jensen.
The Jensen family has operated both properties for over 40 years, but now they say it's time to pass them on to another family.
"I would like to come back and visit these properties as they are, so it would be nice to have someone carry on the tradition of our family," said Jensen.
Jensen says it's the laid back atmosphere of both properties that keeps attracting people back year after year.
"It's relaxing, you can fish, read a book (...) it brings you back to how Captiva has always been, before cellphones and internet," said Jensen.
Jensen's on the Gulf Beach resort is listed for just under 8 million dollars.
Jensen's Twin Palm Cottages and Marina Resort is listed for just under 13 million.
