Kingfisher Welcomes Third-Gen Island Native to Its Team

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

Kingfisher Real Estate welcomes its newest sales associate, Michael Billheimer, a Sanibel native and third-generation island resident.

Billheimer’s family discovered Sanibel Island in 1898 while visiting Hallie “Granny” Matthews, founder of Sanibel’s historic Island Inn. Granny Matthews emphatically encouraged the family to invest in “my island.”

They purchased beachfront property from the Bailey family and built High Tide Cottages, now High Tide Condominium. In 1953, Billheimer’s parents (Barb and Tom) became owners of the cottages, and Aunts Betty and Evelyn arrived to build and run the Nutmeg House restaurant, now Nutmeg Village.

Billheimer attended Sanibel Elementary School, lived and learned the beach cottage rental business, and worked at the Nutmeg House restaurant.

He earned a BS degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management from Florida International University. He worked in restaurant and hotel management for the Marriott Corporation before returning home to Sanibel to take over the Lighthouse Café, which he eventually purchased in 1988.

After a successful 32-year career at the popular eatery serving “The World’s Best Breakfast,” he handed over the reins to his nephew, Dan Billheimer, in 2018.

Billheimer’s involvement in the island community includes serving as president of the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce and being appointed to the Sanibel Planning Commission.

After a brief attempt at retirement, Billheimer decided to utilize his lifelong love of Sanibel and become a Realtor to help others discover the beauty of island life.

Billheimer’s extensive knowledge of Sanibel & Captiva, as well as the waterfront lifestyle, is something he is eager to share with future island residents and visitors.