Made in America Merchandise

Coastal Gifts from Close to Home

When Ina Marjakangas opened Coast Boutique in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Fla., seven years ago, she couldn’t have predicted how prescient her locally-sourced business model would be. During the pandemic, when supply chain hiccups made it difficult for many retailers to stock their shelves, Marjakangas enjoyed an uninterrupted inventory flow.

Whether she needed more thermal cups from the Pirani brand, “funky” jewelry from Charles Albert or hand sewn flip flops, she simply called her sources “literally down the road.” “One of my goals when I opened was to give South Florida artists and makers a platform,” explained Marjakangas.

And her eclectic, locally sourced selection has proven to be a winning formula. Coast Boutique shoppers are treated to rum punch and invited to meet artisans in person over wine, cheese and live jazz. Marjakangas is convinced this kind of grassroots experience is key to brick-and-mortar success nowadays.

“Things have been great since January, and I haven’t had a day off since. I went from my worst year ever to my best year ever, all in one year.”

- Randy Bell, Bell’s Beach Store, Pompano Beach, Fla.

“Retail may be for the most part dead, but destination shopping isn’t,” she explained. “You’re not going to go on vacation and ship your souvenir Tshirt from Amazon. What’s not dead is the physical retail experience of seeing something new, being exposed to different cultures and lifestyles. That, I believe, won’t ever die.”

At Coast Boutique, customer favorites include tropically-inspired enamel jewelry from Hollywood, Florida-based Lauren G. Adams. “Her sunny, fun colors like blue and orange just scream Florida,” noted Marjakangas. Another line that “sells like crazy” are those Pirani tumblers,

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