FORT LAUDERDALE – Part of the charm and uniqueness of Wilton Drive has packed up and moved to Sarasota, Florida. The Green Hopper, which has been a fixture on Wilton Drive for the last two years, has officially closed their doors, sold, packed up and hopped over to the west coast.

Since its beginning in February 2009, the Green Hopper would regularly be seen at Earth Days, the city’s canoe races, AIDS fundraisers, pride parades and festivals, and many other events. During many large-scale events on Wilton Drive, the Green Hopper donated their services, supplying a shuttle service between outlying parking facilities and The Drive. They were credited with helping to ease some of the parking congestion along Wilton Drive.

The Green Hopper was created by Alan Carter who purchased four, six passenger GEM electric vehicles manufactured by Chrysler at a cost of $22,000 each. “I’m so very happy to have had the experience of doing it,” said Carter. “I wouldn’t have missed if for anything. I may have lost a little money but I gained so much more.”

The large concrete frog and 1950′s glider- bench has been donated to the Wilton Manors Historical Society and will be placed in one of the city’s public parks.