News & Press Releases

Four-legged friends and their owners will celebrate the season at HOWLidays Yappy Hour & Bowl Stroll at Bell Tower Shops on Friday, Dec. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Returning to the shopping center’s newly renovated Center Court, the event is free with beverage proceeds benefiting the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

“HOWLidays participants will enjoy the all new bigger and better Center Court,” said Amy Fletcher-Smith, Bell Tower’s director of marketing. “Besides offering more space, we have new furnishings, awnings and landscaping.”

Owners are encouraged to dress their dogs in festive holiday attire. Santa will be on hand to capture the moment in photos. The Southwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will perform at 7 p.m.

Shoppers and their canine companions will enjoy the “bowl stroll” throughout the shopping center where colorful dog bowls will identify 37 merchants who are pooch-friendly. Dogs must be leashed.

The mission of the Gulf Coast Humane Society is to provide humane care for surrendered animals in Southwest Florida by offering refuge, providing medical care and facilitating an adoptive home. GCHS is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization serving the area. For more information, visit www.gulfcoasthumanesociety.org.

The dog-friendly Bell Tower Shops is an open-air lifestyle center, located at U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, with 40 retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and The Fresh Market, nine restaurants and Bell Tower 20 Regal Cinemas. The center’s sidewalk garden setting of lush landscaping, splashing fountains and covered walkways makes it a popular gathering place. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the center. To learn more, log onto www.TheBellTowerShops.com, or call 239-489-1221.

Pooch-friendly merchants include: