13 minute read
SHOP SMALL. SPEND LOCAL
52 Stores We Love
Here at Pensacola Magazine, we get very excited about the holiday season--the holiday lights lining Palafox Street and all of the festive decorations throughout the city. We especially love Winterfest, holiday markets, seasonal performances and the all-around good cheer that the season brings. We also love shopping, and we make sure to shop local as much as possible. While online shopping has its merits, let’s not forget that it’s the small boutiques, retail stores, coffee shops and restaurants that give our town the charming, quaint and welcoming vibe we are famous for. Plus, shopping locally keeps the money local and that’s good for everyone. In the spirit of celebrating locally this holiday season, we’ve compiled a list of 52 retail shops where you can shop til’ you drop for everyone on your list—all while supporting small, local businesses. Happy shopping!
Alyssa's
1) Alyssa's
From unique furniture and gifts to trendy clothing and accessories, Alyssa’s is your one-stop-shop when it comes to finding the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Located in Pace, their more than 210,000-square-foot campus spans across three buildings boasting an antique store, gift shop, furniture store, vendor mall and jewelry store.
4586 Chumuckla Hwy., Pace, (850) 994-9114 shopalyssas.com
2) Angel's Garden
Owned by Debby Tracey, this whimsical gift shop has been in business for more than 30 years and represents more than 100 local artisans. Inside you’ll find a variety of books, handmade jewelry, candles and other one-of-a-kind gift items. If you’re looking for some local flair, they also carry an assortment of "I Love East Hill" goods and Pensacola Christmas ornaments.
Belle Ame Soap Bar Angel's Garden
3) Asher & Bee Apothecary
At Asher and Bee, Master Herbalist Marni Woodson creates custom health remedies and self care products to help customers connect with nature while improving their health and wellbeing. From candles and incense to teas, tinctures, elixirs and more, Asher and Bee offers the perfect way to give the gift of health this season.
4) Atelier Alcaniz
Locally-owned and tucked away in the heart of downtown Pensacola, this contemporary women’s clothing boutique also features an art gallery and gift shop. Inside, you’ll find an eclectic mix of trendy women’s clothing, fashion jewelry, handbags and accessories as well as unique gift items and a variety of locally made pottery and art.
56 S. Alcaniz St., Pensacola (850) 433-7749, atelieralcaniz.com Asher & Bee Apothecary
5)Artesana
First established in 1967 by Marian and Ralph Kinser, it originally sold an assortment of fine and eclectic gifts, including their famous wooden plates. In 2003, the shop eventually ended up in the hands of current owner Josephine Daniels, and hasn’t stopped growing since. Inside, you’ll find a large selection of unique gifts, home and holiday decor, an adorable children’s section, jewelry and candles crafted by local artisans, Pensacolathemed merchandise and more.
6) Belle Ame Soap Bar
Belle Ame is the creation of Yvette Crooke-Avera, who established the business after following her mother’s footsteps into the hobby of soap making. After realizing that products like hers—with an intimately personal and creative touch—were exactly what the gift and personal care market was missing, Yevette decided to launch her own line of bath and body products. The shop carries everything from scrumptious smelling scrubs and bath salts to body butters, bath bombs, candles and more. Every bit of it is handmade.
Owned by husband and wife duo Barry and Laura Cole, Beré has been in business for more than 37 years and offers everything from bridal and fashion jewelry. The shop carries a massive collection of carefully-curated jewelry and luxury watches by premier designers like LAGOS, OMEGA, TAG Heuer, Breitling and more. Beré also specializes in custom jewelry designs.
8) Black Café and Bookstore
Local entrepreneur Nicole Dixon recently opened this independent bookstore to bring books from the African diaspora to the Pensacola area. The bookstore also carries gift items and carries unique gift items and various works by local authors and artists.
3497 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Pensacola (850) 262-9344, facebook.com/blackcafeandbooks
9) Blue Morning Gallery
Tucked away in the heart of downtown Pensacola, this local artist co-op showcases the work of 50+ local artists and encourages the development of new creative talent within the community. Today, its members cooperatively form an eclectic group of many award-winning artists with specialties in painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, glass, jewelry, wood, tile and more.
10) Bluetique
This mother-daughter-owned boutique is located in the heart of downtown Pensacola on Palafox. Inside, you'll find a specially curated selection of stylish women's clothing, accessories, candles and more. Their collection boasting brands like Lilly Pulitzer, Elizabeth McKay and Grayling Jewelry, Bluetique caters to fashionistas of all ages. They also have a killer sale rack in the back.
11) Bodacious Bookstore and Cafe
This quaint independent bookstore and cafe is located on the ground floor of Southtowne Apartments in downtown Pensacola and offers up to the minute finds in both fiction and nonfiction books, an excellent selection of children's books, a variety of unique gifts from around the world and a simple, yet sophisticated cafe menu featuring roasted-to-order Intelligentsia Coffee.
This locally-owned downtown business features a collection of distinct shops, all under one roof boasting a cafe, a salad shop, a specialty olive oil shop, a coffee roastery and a kitchenware store equipped with a chef-style kitchen for hosting different classes and events. Each of the items offered in the shop were hand-selected by the owners to ensure only the highest quality of ingredients.
Bodacious Bookstore and Cafe
13) Celebrations
This locally-owned family shop has been in business for more than 30 years and offers everything from fresh flowers, stunning arrangements and custom wreaths to live plants, holiday and home decor, gift items and more. They also have an expansive greenhouse and outdoor courtyard area that’s filled with lush seasonal varieties and mixed Eurogardenstyle gift planters. If you’re looking to spruce up your home for the holidays, their team crafts some of the most gorgeous custom arrangements and wreaths in town.
Blue Morning Gallery
14) Coastal Paddle Company Located in the heart of Gulf Breeze, this family-owned shop offers a great selection of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, Eno hammocks and more. Think The North Face, Patagonia, Columbia and more. hand-picked selection of coastal clothing, shoes, swimsuits, local gift items, sunglasses, outdoor gear, bikes and stand-up paddleboards. They also offer paddleboard training sessions so you can try before you buy.
848 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze (850) 916-1600, coastalpaddlecompany.com.
Established in 2001, this sophisticated menswear store is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Pensacola and offers an extensive collection of designer men's apparel and footwear. The shop carries everything from tailored clothing and sportswear, to suits, sportcoats and other trendy accessories. Don Alans also specializes in custom clothing and offers top-notch tailoring services.
17) Duh! For Garden and Home
Mixing relaxation with elegance, Duh offers an eclectic collection of furniture, home accessories and found objects from all over the world. The designer products emphasize texture, pattern and natural design elements from a mixture of cultures and eras.
15) Dixie Knits
You’re sure to find something for the needle worker on your shopping list at Dixie Knits, a full service yarn shop in downtown Pensacola. Dixie Knits carries a wide variety of unique yarns, fibers, tools and accessories as well as craft kits and local gift ideas. They also offer classes and a community table to gather, share and knit.
18) Elebash’s Jewelers
This fourth-generation family jeweler’s history can be traced back to early 20th century Selma, Alabama. Elebash’s provides customers with quality merchandise, superior service and exceptional value. Elebash’s is among the first in the Southeast to join the American Gem Society, with a membership that dates back over 65 years.
19) Embellish Boutique
Local Donna Zampino opened her flagship store in Pace, but quickly outgrew her space and opened her current Embellish Boutique location, which is tucked away on Gregory St. right next to Nomadic Eats. The store offers a collection of sassy southern women’s apparel, accessories, housewares and more.
20)Envie Boutique
Locally owned and located on Pensacola Beach, this stylish clothing and accessories boutique features both women’s and men’s fashions. You can shop for everything from trendy womens jewelry and bags to sunglasses and shoes. The shop’s collection features lines by top brands like Kendra Scott, Able, 7 For All Mankind, VIneyard Vines, Southern Tides, Tommy Bahama and more. They also carry a full line of Corkcicle and Sunbum products.
Joe Hobbs/First City Art Center
21) Fiore of Pensacola
Fiore is a full-service florist that delivers fresh flowers and plants to Pensacola and surrounding areas. Fiore’s small team of highly focused and dedicated women specialize in event design and weddings. Fiore is locally owned and operated from the heart of downtown Pensacola.
22) First City Art Center
Aside from functioning as a nonprofit community arts center, the FCAC also provides handmade wares that will make the perfect gift for a loved one. Products range from hand-blown glass ornaments, apparel, and the ever popular glass and ceramic pumpkins.
Innerlight Surf Shop
Longtime friends Dallas Patterson, Cody Potter and Adam Ynfante first met each other as competition as they all found an interest in thrifting vintage memorabilia and apparel. They eventually began working together to create the eclectic inventory that is Garden Street Vintage. This store provides an ever-changing collection of 90s grunge and streetwear that speaks to each of their tastes and specialties.
24) Gibson Girl
Founded in 2010, this family-owned women's boutique in Gulf Breeze offers up youthful styles for the modern woman—think dresses, shoes, accessories and home decor. They also carry HOBO handbags, fun accessories, a full line of Spanx clothing, plenty of local swag and other fun gift items.
Locations in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze & Destin (850) 932-2647, gibsongirlboutique.com
25) Gray Boutique
Veteran apparel maven Katy Nagel opened Gray Boutique as a way to bring timeless, quality go-to pieces to Pensacola fashion lovers. This trendy boutique offers a curated collection of both men’s and women’s clothing, perfumes, beauty items, fabulous accessories and more. The shop also carries high-end designer labels like CHANEL.
26)Indigeaux Denim Bar & Boutique
Owned by mother-daughter duo Kelly Rozier and Katie Bosso, Indigeaux specializes in a curated mix of trendy women's apparel and accessories—all embellished with southern charm and hospitality.
116 Palafox Pl., Pensacola (850) 607-2255, shopidb.com Garden Street Vintage
27) Innerlight Surf Shop
Founded in 1969 by famed surfer Yancy Spencer, Innerlight is known as the surfers surf shop because they offer cutting edge products and superior customer service. Shop for surd, skate, paddle gear coastal apparel and more.
28) Intracoastal Outfitters
Family owned by local outdoor enthusiasts, Intracoastal carries all the gear and accessories you need for your outdoor adventures. From SPF shirts and cover-ups to quick dry clothing, hats, shoes and more from top retailers like Patagonia, TOMS Shoes and Costa Sunglasses. They also carry all the highend gear for everything from surfing to rock climbing and beyond.
Intracoastal Outfitters
Owned and operated by the Davis family since 1956, Jewelers Trade Shop carries the finest in luxury jewelry with collections from iconic designers and retailers like Rolex, David Yurman, Tag Heuer and Mikimoto. JTS is sure to have that perfect something for the most discerning person on your gift list. 26
30)Just Judy’s Flowers, Local Art & Gifts
While primarily a floral shop, Just Judy’s also offers a wide variety of custom gift baskets, live plants and unique items from local artists like Nina Fritz—all in an adorable cottage atmosphere.
2509 N. 12 Ave., Pensacola (850) 436-4003, justjudysflowers.com Just Judy’s Flowers, Local Art & Gifts
32) Lemons and Lace Boutique
Gaylan Hammock and Elizabeth Newton opened this 9-Mile Road boutique to share their love of fashion and to help women find their unique style. Specializing in modern, feminine and trendy styles, Lemons and Lace also carries gift items from local artist and artisans.
1449 W. 9 Mile Rd., Unit 15, Pensacola (812) 230-4926, lemonslaceboutique.com
31) Lee Tracy
Since 1978, Lee Tracy has been a favorite among local shoppers looking for high end, fresh and distinct looks at reasonable prices. The boutique carries top designs from Joseph Ribkoff, Karlie, Escapada, Oh My Gauze, Black Swan, Uncle Frank, Dear John, Lisettle, Liverpool and more.
33) The Market and Mainly Shoes
For nearly 40 years, this iconic, familyowned boutique has offered the most current apparel, accessories and shoe fashions from top designers like THE NINES by PAIGE, Norma Kamali, HOBO, Spanx, On Cloud and more. They specialize in wearable designs, seasonal attire, belts, handbags and other unique last-minute gifts.
34) Melobay
Opened by Pensacola local, Kandy McCloud, this "coastal casual" boutique in downtown Pensacola offers fun, seasonal high-quality clothing and accessories as well as kites, windmills, chimes, toys and plenty of unique gift items.
35) Millie’s Garden Boutique
This undeniably adorable little kiosk is located inside the iconic food truck court, “The Garden” on the corner of Palafox and Main. Millie’s offers an eclectic array of locally grown and beautifully potted plants as well as handcrafted gift items. They also offer workshops for those crafty people on your shopping list.
36)Mollie’s Unique Finds & Furniture Located just off Highway 90 in Pace, this one-of-a-kind shop offers a variety of delightful gift and home décor items made by local vendors. From new and refinished furniture to trendy home décor items and unique gifts, each item in this locally-owned shop has its own unique style. Mollie’s also recently expanded and now has an entire furniture showroom with a variety of pieces in different sizes, styles and finishes.
5054 Highway 90, Pace (850) 686-7793, molliesuniquefindsandfurniture.com
Melobay
