Islamorada

Robert E. Rich Jr., 65, is at No. 242 with $1.5 billion. The chairman of Rich Products and an Islamorada resident appears on the Forbes magazine's list of the 400 richest Americans for the first time following the passing of his father, Robert Rich Sr., in February.

Rich’s was founded in 1945 with a startling development by Robert E. Rich, Sr., Founder and Chairman of the Board, who discovered that the soy bean could be frozen, thawed and whipped. The new product, immediately hailed as “the miracle cream from the soy bean,” revolutionized food processing and opened up a new world of non-dairy products to the growing frozen food industry. The miracle cream was called Rich’s® Whip Topping® non-dairy topping and later served as the springboard for a series of ground breaking non-dairy products including:

The charter fishing fleet can stay at Holiday Isle Resort and Marina, the property's new owners told charter captains Thursday. But developer says there are no guarantees.

“It was a very positive meeting,” charter captain Steve Leopold said. “They told us the best thing for them is for us to be there.” “The guys all felt better when they were walking out,” Leopold said. “I can't say anything bad about what [the owners] said or have planned.”

However, the owner - Ceebraid-Signal, represented by local developer Bill Fountain - said they do not plan to offer commercial boats the security of a long-term lease for the slips. Boats now at Holiday Isle do not have leases, Fountain said later.

Most captains pay about $400 per slip, he said, and acknowledged the rent could rise. He did not offer a figure for any price hike, and said no increases are imminent. Said Leopold, “There are some things we have to keep our eye on.”

Holiday Isle is one of the most visible charter-fishing marinas in Islamorada, which relies on sportfishing to draw tourists. Captains and residents expressed concern that Holiday Isle's conversion to an upscale condo-hotel could lead to eviction of the charter fleet or a severe reduction in the number of slips open to charter boats.

One set of plans for the redevelopment indicates removal of the existing docks for flats boats. A brochure available at the Thursday meeting said Ceebread-Signal is “exploring opportunities to develop a premier backcountry fishing facility that will generate an important revenue stream for local fishermen.” “It's better than what we heard before,” said Steve Murray, a backcountry guide.

Flats guide Chuck Jeffreys said he's optimistic Ceebraid-Signal will improve the clientele at the resort and bring in more people interested in fishing. “They could do nothing but improve this property,” Jeffreys said. According to brochures from the owners, the new resort will be named Ocanos, with “Greek Isle-inspired architecture.”

It will have 151 “expansive suites” of 1,300 square feet on the 13.4-acre site. Dining areas, “elements of the Tiki Bar” and the docks will be preserved, according to the information. Major reconstruction tentatively is scheduled to begin in April. Work could continue for 28 months. “If it turns into the beautiful, upscale resort on the plans, it could wind up being good for our business,” Leopold said.