The Original Merchants of Rosemary

THE ORIGINAL MERCHANTS OF ROSEMARY BEACH BY M. GRETCHEN HARRIS

Heading through

the town square to meet with some of the pioneering homeowners and merchants, I was struck by how many people were walking, riding bikes and shopping. It’s a bustling, walking community. The developers had a unique vision, and a part of that vision needed to be commerce.

Bamboo Bicycle Co. founded in 2001

There aren’t many people who can say they were pioneers in the creation of a town. In 1995, a group of people from near and far looking to live their dream, decided to take a risk and start a town. They successfully turned this empty strip along the Gulf Coast into what it is today: a busy town with shops, restaurants, pools, bike trails and a home to the most beautiful beaches in the world. People come from all over to spend time in this breathtaking neighborhood.

I met with Linda and Ken Gifford and James and Miriam Dillon, who were hosts of this get together. Linda is a POA Board member and Town Center liaison and both couples have been involved in the community for over 20 years. The Giffords have been fulltime residents of Rosemary Beach for that length of time as well. The two couples were also very involved in starting The Merchants Association of Rosemary Beach in 2007. James Dillon opened Rosemary’s first restaurant, Summer Kitchen. I had planned to stay only about an hour to talk with some of the entrepreneurs from the early days, but before I knew it, over two hours had quickly gone by. I was so entertained listening to their stories about the days of yore. They laughed and talked about their favorite wine spot; the first baby being born; the Christmas tree lighting with just a few residents; dressing up the golf carts for a Mardi Gras parade; and watching their dreams come to fruition.

After a career in the hospitality industry, Ken was hired by Leucadia Financial Corporation and Patrick Bienvenue, the developers and Founder of Rosemary to grow the Cottage Rental Company, as well as

developing a retail presence, which Linda was put in charge of. They opened the Rosemary Beach Trading Company in South Barrett Square in 2000 and followed that with Bamboo Bicycle Company in 2001. By 2004, both entities needed expansion. The Trading Company moved to its permanent location in North Barrett Square and the bike shop moved temporarily north as well before landing in its current location years later. Bamboo Bicycle Company also offered beach toys and clothing in two small huts before Ken and Linda opened Bombora Sun & Surf in 2009.

James and Miriam started a small sandwich shop, which they also outgrew. They all were team players and helped each other out, wanting everyone to be successful. Times were tough in the beginning, and they all lost money the first year. But, with perseverance and a little break on rent from the developers, they more than succeeded. James’ Summer Kitchen was originally started in 1999 as a way to offer lunch to the construction workers. His sandwich shop had a rocky start, but over time, his

SummerKitchen's first location in 1999

reputation grew, and it became a popular spot; he soon needed more space. As more homes were being built and the town could boast of more residents, he added breakfast and dinner. He is now in his fourth location. His restaurant is a local favorite, and visitors keep coming back year after year.

The first wine bar, Medusa Rouge, was opened in 2003 by Shane and Dana Hicks, who moved here from Nashville in 2002. Shane spoke lovingly about the bar. He and Dana were amateur wine connoisseurs and loved the idea of having a novice wine bar. Shane recounted that when they first opened, much of Rosemary was under construction. “What we loved most about those early days was the clientele. It wasn’t just homeowners,” he reflected. “We would have a billionaire from Wall Street sitting next to the construction worker, and they were talking. Those times were magical; the best times of our lives.”

“Medusa Rouge was our favorite watering hole, and many out of town homeowners would stop there first upon arrival,” Linda Gifford confessed. Many of these lifelong friendships

“What we loved most about those early days was the clientele. It wasn’t just homeowners. We would have a billionaire from Wall Street sitting next to the construction worker, and they were talking. Those times were magical; the best times of our lives.”

began here. In 2005, Shane and Dana sold Medusa Rouge. It became Courtyard Wine and Cheese and then Edwards Fine Food and Wine, which continues to be a favorite spot. While Linda was talking about Chris Webb, who started the original beach service, he and his wife Jennifer came strolling up with big smiles and adult refreshments.

Chris moved to Inlet Beach, and he drove back and forth along the coastline when traveling to and from school. He would often stop along the deserted beach to swim, surf and dream of what it would be like to live here. After a few years of pining, he was driving and daydreaming when he noticed one day that there were a couple of trailers set up along the beach, and it looked like some construction was about to take place. He pulled in just to chat and see what was up. They ended up talking for long enough that they finally convinced him to invest $10,000 in a lot. They quickly started building their dream home. He knew he also wanted to work here, and they started the incredibly successful SeaOats beach service, providing chairs, towels and umbrellas to the beach visitors.

Darrell Russell was another easy to talk to early resident. He bought one of the first five lots sold and opened his architectural firm above Medusa Rouge. He joked that the wine bar was his conference room. During our conversation, he revealed that while Dana was working for his architectural firm in Nashville, she and Shane wanted to vacation in Rosemary Beach, but no one would allow dogs. Darrell offered his newly constructed vacation home. When he later asked how they enjoyed their stay, Dana replied, “We are moving. Shane’s opening a wine bar, and I’m not sure what I’m going to do.” He went on to reveal that Shane quit his job as a pianist for Keith Urban and moved to Rosemary Beach to open Medusa Rouge. Dana continued working for Darrell at his Rosemary Beach firm.

Another local favorite for grub and adult beverages was the Cowgirl Kitchen. “We played Bocce ball in the street; sometimes it was a ghost town. Some of my favorite memories are from 2007 and 2008 when we were just starting to have a good number of people living full time in the town,” Owner Nikki said. “There were not many options in the early years, it was my restaurant and an Italian restaurant located in the bottom of the Inn on Main Street and Courtyard Wine and Cheese. Our customers were mostly homeowners and locals. During the off season, we relied on the summer tourist season to get us through to the next spring.” The Cowgirl Kitchen remains a local favorite.

Beach chairs and umbrellas from SeaOats

Construction of Town Halland Post Office

Marci and Bryan Fair came down from Atlanta in 1997 and finished building their home in 2000. They were avid supporters of these early businesses. Marci gushed about the early days. “The first business was two trailers that sold t-shirts. We bought them every year and were excited when they started selling cups,” she laughed. “And, Linda cost me a fortune when she opened The Trading Company. She just had the best stuff! Rosemary Beach became everything we ever dreamed of. We park and don’t touch the car.”

Marci also spoke lovingly about where she bought most of her children’s clothes. Geri Golding and David Higgs opened Gigi's Fabulous Kids in 2003. “Foot traffic was very inconsistent back then. I would often work all by myself because hours would go by without a single customer, but then suddenly it would be so busy I couldn't handle it!” Geri remembered. “It was normal back then for us shop owners to put a sign on the door and go out to lunch, something we could never get away with now. We have truly enjoyed seeing kids grow up with us over the years. Some of the kids that shopped with us in the beginning now have kids of their own! We are so grateful for the support from our community. Rosemary homeowners as well as regular visitors tell us some of the happiest memories from their childhood are from Gigi's!” When I asked why the development here was so different compared to Destin or Panama Beach, James’ wife Miriam explained there was a reason those areas developed faster, and with seemingly unlimited high-rises, while this strip in Walton County did not. Areas to the east and west of Rosemary Beach were able to sell alcohol, and restaurants and bars were eager to move in. But, because Walton County was dry, developers believed people would not be as drawn here. Times and laws changed. By the time alcohol could be sold here, restrictions had been made to deny any high-rises along this coastline. A new type of development unique to

“Rosemary Beach became everything we ever dreamed of. We park and don’t touch the car.”

this area was in the making. Mark and Penny Dragonette were the original builders and owners of the elegant Pensione Hotel. Construction lasted from 1999 until 2001, and they sold it in 2007. Summer Kitchen’s James and Miriam Dillon have since taken over what is now called The Rosemary Beach Inn, expanding their business holdings in this still growing community.

Donna Pelous moved here in the early stages of development by coming over from New Orleans to look at property for a friend. Her friend did not end up buying but Donna did. Having had a bad day at work, she decided to uproot, buy a lot, build a home, move here and start her own business. She opened Shabby Slips on Main Street, selling slipcovers and furniture as well as helping with the decorating and furnishings of many new homes. In 2007, Donna opened Moonpize with Lisa Knower in the same building.

“Everyone knew each other in those days and tried to help one another. I remember the power would go out 4th of July week as people were coming in for vacation. My kids would stand at the ice cream cooler with flashlights so customers could read the labels.” Tanya Cauley, who opened the original Sugar Shak in 2000, remembered. “One of my

Interior of Rosemary Beach Trading Company, established in 2000

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Rendering of the Pensione Hotel and its iconic sign, still in use

“Everyone knew each other in those days and tried to help one another.”

kids would stand at the door with a flashlight so customers could see the doorstep. My kids chose the name ‘Sugar Shak’, and the reason Shak is spelled without a “c” is that as I was hand painting the original ‘Sugar Shak’ sign, there wasn’t enough room for the entire word, Shack.”

Each person reminisced with such fond memories of the good times, the struggles, the births and everything that goes into making an area a true community. I was a bit envious of the unique experience they had. It would seem impossible not to bond with people that were striving for the same dream. They did something that few people will get the opportunity to ever do, and they were clearly a success at creating a growing and ever evolving close knit community.

While some original merchants have moved on to other things and other places, many still remain. And while it may not be as small as it was 20 years ago, the quaint charm and intimacy of the town also remains. What these early merchants and residents built will leave a legacy that few can match. If you’re ready for new ideas or prefer the original ones; allow me to put my knowledge, expertise & connections to work for you!

Larry Davis ∙ Broker 850.585.5420 larry@davisprop.com Davisprop.com