Cori Craciun
Tell us about yourself and what you do for a living?
I am a sister to eight siblings, and an aunt to some really adorable โtroublemakers.โ I am a soccer player, semi-pro for over 10 years, and I started the first womenโs amateur soccer league in Naples back in 2000, and yeah, Iโm still playing. Iโve always been an entrepreneur, I did many things from remodeling to real estate, I had a restaurant with my sister for 8 years, the best part of that was that she did the cooking. I am an artist, woodworker, and a rockhound, which is a passion I only discovered when I moved to Naples. My love for rocks and minerals motivated me to open Sticks And Stones Collection, a gallery of unique natural dรฉcor and live edge furnishings, redefining nature at home. Iโm an organizer and a social justice advocate. I learned early on to stand up for myself and others. If there is something that needs to be said, you say it; if there is something that needs done, you do it; if there is a need for something, you just make it happen. I am the founder and president of Naples Pride, a grass roots organization thatโs working to bring support and visibility to the LGBTQ community of Southwest Florida. We organized the first Naples Pride Fest in 2017 and opened a much needed LGBTQ center in October of 2020.
How long have you been living Naples?
Iโve been living in Naples for over 22 years.
If you moved from somewhere else, what influenced your decision to move here?
I was born in Transylvania, Romania. I immigrated to Hungary after the 1989 revolution, and I was the first from my family to leave the country. After almost 10 wonderful years there, I decided to try my luck across the ocean. Initially I went to NYC, but it wasnโt for me, so shortly after I came to Naples. I fell in love with it instantly, and the best part is that Iโm very fortunate to have two of my younger siblings here as well.
Marco Island Beach Aerial Drone Shot
What are your favorite places to go for a cocktail and/or dinner?
Well, you canโt leave out my favorite meal of the day, breakfast, and the place you must try is Goldies Restaurant, a Naples favorite for over 30 years. If you think you can handle it get the Ultimate Breakfast. A must-have is their homemade strawberry sauce, and you better come hungry. Naples is home to numerous good restaurants and many are Italian and seafood, but Iโve been on a Chinese food binge lately, so Iโve been going to Chinatown Restaurant. Make sure you try the house special noodle soup. For a relaxing atmosphere, go to Komoon and enjoy Thai, sushi, ceviche, and more. Make sure to check their calendar, maybe youโll be lucky enough to catch EL Gato Solea performing there. Heโs the best original instrumental Nuevo Flamenco music player in Naples. Head to Bambusa Bar and Grill for a good time, great cocktails, and friendly people. They have the best chicken wings in town, and the โBambusa Babesโ put on the best drag show in Florida. Bitchy Bingo on Thursday and Sundays is going to make your stomach hurt from laughing, and if you feel like dancing on Saturday night, this is the place to be. The best DJ in town is DJ Kooshie who will keep you moving all night.
What cultural attractions are a must see for visitors to Naples?
For an amazing performance go to ArtisโNaples, which hosts the Baker Museum, home to modern and contemporary fine art collections. Naples Art has the coolest exhibitions and they just recently feature the work of LGBTQ icon Keith Haring. If you come in season: November – May, you have to visit the art studios in the Naples Art District, which is home to over 85 local artists, and the Art Alive open studios events are a fun way to see what they are creating and give you a chance to take home a piece of Naples art. Of course I have to mention Collier County Museum, where you can learn about the local history and how Naples was really ignored by developers until the 1880โs when two train company decided to come down within 10 days of each other, and thatโs what started it all. Try to buy a house in Naples today and youโll be searching for a while.
Naples Botanical Garden
Photo: Gary G. Beeler
A friend is coming to Naples for the first timeโฆ Please describe the perfect weekend.
Thatโs tough, one weekend is not really enough. First obviously is the beach, most likely Lowdermilk. I love that beach as it has all the amenities one would need, including paddleboard rental, but any beach will do. Youโll find the whitest, softest sand anywhere from Gordon pass all the way to Delnor Wiggins State Park. For lunch weโll go to Taqueria San Julian. They are famous for the best tacos in town. Then head up the road to the Naples Botanical Garden, a must see magical place, with the most impressive collection of water lilies from all over the world. My dear friend and artist Christy Noonan has been getting in the lily pond for years, and her paintings are on display at Sticks and Stones Collection. After the garden weโll take a drive through Old Naples and down Gulf Shore Boulevard South all the way to Port Royal, the place with most expensive real estate in Naples. Then head over to the Naples Pier to watch the sunset (who knows maybe you will get lucky and see the โgreen flashโ). For dinner weโll go to Bistro 821, and then stroll up and down 5th Ave. for some gelato and shopping. For the next day, definitely a trip to the Big Cypress Natural Preserve and Everglades City where weโll get on an airboat, see the alligators and manatees in their habitat. For lunch weโll have some local specialties: yummy frog legs, gator nuggets, and oysters, then we will do a sunset cruise on the Naples Princess and end the night at Bambusa Bar and Grill for a Bambusa Babes show and some dancing.
What are the best places to truly enjoy the natural beauty of the area?
Big Cypress Natural Preserve, Naples Botanical Garden, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
Shopping in Downtown Naples
What is your favorite time of year in Naples and why?
It would have to be the winter because of the beautiful weather. Humidity is low, the temperature is perfect and sometimes drops enough so you can have a bonfire in the backyard without getting eaten by mosquitoes.
Whatโs one souvenir to bring back for friends or family?
Beautiful seashells from our beaches.
Please finish this sentence: Donโt leave Naples withoutโฆ
Going to the beach for an unforgettable sunset.
You Can Discover More About LGBTQ Naples HERE
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