Snapshots Islanders out and about

snapShots

AT THE MAIN STREET “SIP & SHOP” EVENT IN DOWNTOWN FERNANDINA BEACH

MADDIE POWE,, ASHLEY PHINAZEE, AND BRITNEY KINSER MADELYN SIEGEL AND THERESA DUNCAN REBECCA CANO AND CONNOR FASEL THERESA POYNTER AND KAYLI QUIRK

AT THE LES DEMERLE VALENTINE’S DAY CONCERT AT STORY & SONG BOOKSTORE

DOUG MATTHEWS, LES DEMERLE, BONNIE EISELE, AND BILL PRINCE BOBBI & LOREN LUM FERN & MARY HEYMAN LARRY & SUZANNE MCLEOD

AT THE EDEN & FRANKIE “UNDER THE STARS” SHOW AT AMELIA MUSICAL PLAYHOUSE

EDEN REWA AND FRANKIE BASILE JACKIE & ERIC WICKLUND JOSE & LORI MARANDA MARY ELWELL AND KATIE REWA

AT THE OPENING OF THE ALLEY BY AMELIA ISLAND BREWING COMPANY

snapShots

AT THE “LOVE DROP” EVENT AT FERNANDINA BEACH CHURCH OF CHRIST

CATHY CLARKE AND JOHN CARVER KIM BRIDGES AND SARAH TAISTRA LOURYNE SPAULDING AND PEG SCHERR ZEN WATERS AND PEGGY WEEKS

AT THE MOCAMA BEER COMPANY VALENTINE’S DAY MAKERS MARKET

AMITTIE & BRANDON POWERS MATT WILLIAMS AND LAURA MCDONALD WITH SCOTT & BLAINE JONES MIKE MCCUNE AND JOSH BURNS TREY MULLIS AND TRESSA LINZY

AT THE FERNANDINA BEACH MARKET PLACE FARMERS MARKET

MICHELLE OAKES AND PATRICK OAKES CAROL & JOHN THOMAS CAYLIE, CHRISTEN, AND LOGAN PERRELLA WITH MINDY LEE PATRICK & CAROL LIPKA

AT THE PETANQUE COURTS NEAR THE MARINA IN FERNANDINA BEACH

Bonnie Southwick

Years25 Young

After opening in 1996, Monkey Barrel Children’s Store celebrates 25 years as an Amelia Island favorite, with distinctive clothes and toys in a new, expanded location.

BY JULIE SIMMONS PHOTOS BY LYNN TENNILLE PHOTOGRAPHY

When Bonnie and Rob Southwick came to Amelia Island in 1996, they discovered a brand-new children’s shop called Monkey Barrel, which had perfect apparel for their new baby girl. “Th ere wasn’t an Easter, Christmas, or birthday that passed without a visit to Monkey Barrel for something fancy for my daughter, and later a matching sibling outfi t for my son,” Bonnie remembers with a smile.

Fast forward 25 years, and not only is Bonnie singing “Happy 25th Birthday” to her daughter, but she’s also blowing out the candles on the cake for her newest baby – the Monkey Barrel Children’s Store.

“At the end of 2016, I heard through the grapevine that Dina Martin, the founder of Monkey Barrel, was looking to transition to new things. My youngest was headed to college, and I was ready to do something new, too! It was a win-win for both Dina and me to pass the keys to the store onto our family.”

“Although I was elated about my new store, I was terrifi ed,” Bonnie confesses. “I had a little front desk retail experience, but the backend of buying and merchandising the clothes and toys was brand new. I could not have asked for a better mentor than Dina. She took me under her wing, guided me through my fi rst visits to the marts, and showed me the ropes. I still call her today from time to time.”

“It was my dream to own a children’s retail business,” shares Dina. “On March 1, 1996 Monkey Barrel opened,

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(904) 261-7803 • info@coursonstam.com 2398 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 and these 25 years passed so quickly! It fi lls my heart with pride to see Monkey Barrel thriving under Bonnie’s care.”

Th e same passions that inspired Dina to enter the children’s business are what bring joy to Bonnie every day. “One of the best parts of a local business on Amelia Island is the immense loyalty Amelia Islanders have for their own from generation to generation. It delights me time and time again when a friend of mine comes in to shop for her grandbaby, or one of my daughter’s friends stops by to pick up a gift for her nephew.” Bonnie also shared how special it is when customers reminisce on their days as “Monkey Barrel Models,” and she continues to enjoy featuring children in her advertisements.

As local shoppers, we look forward to the consistent, personal shopping experience Monkey Barrel off ers. Th e Team welcomes you with a smile, asks how they can help, and within minutes you are on your way with the perfect wrapped gift. Or if you are like me, you are in awe of the cuteness and choose to stay awhile.

“Helping customers with personal requests is a highlight of my day,” says Bonnie. “For example, recently a guest at Omni Amelia Island Plantation called because their family made it to sunny Florida without a bathing suit for his daughter, and they didn’t have a car. I was thrilled to run a couple of options to the hotel for him.”

Many of you will recall that last Easter we were staying safe at home due to COVID-19. As diffi cult as the pandemic restrictions have been, the year 2020 started a whole new trend for Monkey Barrel: Facetime virtual shopping.

“I had so much fun building baskets for our customer’s children and delivering them to their cars.” And Bonnie promises she will do the same for you again this Easter!

Monkey Barrel is an Amelia Island landmark, and Bonnie and the store are now settled happily at their new location in Th e Shops at Amelia Market in the Harris Teeter Shopping Center. Stop by the store or call (904) 310-9463 if you have any questions.

Craft Beer & Artisan Pizza

Fernandina Beach’s newest craft brewery has opened its doors. First Love Brewing is a community centric microbrewery that features 20 rotating taps all brewed on site. First Love Brewing also offers artisan pizzas made with their signature dough recipe. We are inspired by the community we live in and the people we meet. We look forward to seeing you soon. WED - FRI 4 - 9 PM • SAT 11 AM - 9 PM • SUN 11 AM - 7 PM

22 South 8th Street | Fernandina Beach @ rstlovebrewing