provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Billy’s Rentals marks 25 years of operation under owner Billy Kirkland on Aug. 19. The story of Billy’s Rentals begins with the man behind it all. Kirkland, an Army veteran and Georgia native, got his start in Lee County 40+ years ago with a beach chair and sailboat rental operation on Fort Myers Beach.
In 1985, Kirkland moved to Sanibel and began working with island resorts to rent chairs, bicycles, and sailboats. The desire to “hang his own sign” led him in 1999 to create Billy’s Rentals on Periwinkle Way.
Billy’s Rentals provided surreys, beach cruisers, wheelchair bikes, and beach equipment. He added delivery and pick-up service and a website with internet ordering so guests could have bicycles waiting when they arrived at their hotel.
When Hurricane Charley hit in 2004, he helped the community by starting Billy’s Tractor Service, which offered brush removal and maintenance of parking lots and private roads.
Kirkland and his wife, Salli, went on to open Billy’s Bike Shop in 2005, seeing the need for new bike sales, bicycle repair service, and high-end rentals.
Kirkland opened a second rental location in 2014 in the Bailey’s shopping center. Billy’s at Bailey’s then housed Billy’s Bike Shop at the start of 2021.
It is no surprise that Billy has won several awards over the years. He is a recipient of multiple Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards for outstanding employee service, good samaritan, and as the owner of the business.
Kirkland received the Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award in 2016, and the Florida Senate Medal of Excellence for dedication to the Lee County Community.
In 2023, Kirkland received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce. Post-Hurricane Ian, he opened up his bike inventory for free use and helped islanders and businesses in countless ways.
Kirkland has weathered many challenges in the last 25 years, from several outbreaks of red tide, hurricanes, oil spills, and COVID. But he keeps going.
Kirkland’s motto, “Give back to the community you live and work in,” is well known on the islands. He frequently donates time, money, or bicycles to the Sanibel School, CROW, FISH of SANCAP, The Sanibel Community House, and many other good causes.
Most islanders know that if you need something, ask Kirkland, and he’ll help you. If he can’t, he knows someone who can.
We hope you will stop by and wish Billy and Salli a ‘Happy 25th anniversary’ on August 18 and 19.
We’re thankful for all that Billy did for the residents following Hurricane Ian❤️
Thank you, it came from the heart and putting others needs first.
Clare from Billy’s Rentals and Bike Shop
My family has always appreciated excellent service from Billy’s!
Thank you, we appreciate you!