It’s a magical time on Sanibel Island – the owners of the iconic Island Cow and Mad Hatter restaurants have opened The Magic Bus Ice Cream and Caffeine at 362 Periwinkle Way, in the plaza formerly occupied by the Lighthouse Café and Sanibel Ice Cream.
Longtime island restaurateurs Brian & Elke Podlasek and Max & Bridget Kolshak teamed up after the Podlasek’s Island Cow restaurant was destroyed by fire and the Kolshak’s Mad Hatter was lost to Hurricane Ian.
The Magic Bus features vintage VW-inspired décor with indoor and outdoor seating offering an old-fashioned ice cream shop with 24 flavors, a candy store feel, plus modern coffee beverages, refresher drinks and baked goods.
“We’re excited about opening The Magic Bus on the east end of the island,” said Brian Podlasek. “We look forward to families enjoying the ice cream, candy, coffee and everything else that we have to offer as the community continues to recover from Hurricane Ian.”
The Magic Bus is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Podlaseks and Kolshaks are also working on a new concept next door to The Magic Bus, Wickie’s Lighthouse Restaurant. Wickie’s is nearing completion and will be opening soon.
