Going shelling is so much fun but if you don't like getting sandy & wet beach combing it is probably not for you. But guess what, I hit the beach today and didn't even have to put on sunscreen. There are lots of beach shops along the Gulf coast of Florida. Most sell imported seashells, cheap manufactured souvenirs, and mass-produced t-shirts. For almost 50 years The Shell Shop in Englewood, Florida has been selling local sea shells, hand-made shell art, & sharks teeth.
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| The Shell Shop located at 10 Crestview Dr & 776 in Englewood, Florida. |
I moved to Englewood 2 years ago. The more I meet people around town the more I started to realize that everyone in Englewood is either related to, went to high school with, or is the ex- of someone I know. Take the Shell Shop for instance. The business shares half the building with a cousin who runs his family's barbershop. That cousin & his wife are friends of mine. I met them at church. His cousin Brandi Woffard runs the Shell Shop. Her great grandma is Violet who founded the Shell Shop in 1965. Her grandma is Violet Betty. Her mother is Violet April. Brandi is ...well Brandi but her sister is Violet Betty Eve. The 5th generation is Gabrielle Violet Michelle who is Brandi's 12 yo niece.
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Brandi was so nice to this lady who was on vacation from New Mexico. Brandi told her the history of the shop and shared a few sweet spots with her to go shelling.
The Family Wall |
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| Shell Shop founder Betty Shook |
Every Englewood old timer has a sharks tooth story. It usually starts with something like "Well I'll tell you what. I remember when the sharks teeth were so thick on the beach you didn't even have to bend over. They just jumped into your bucket." I have personally seen a 5 gallon water container at a home in Venice (the town next door) full of sharks teeth from back in the day. There are still plenty of sharks teeth out there for the taking you just have to put a little more effort into it. Brandi told me that her grandma Betty picked up almost all the teeth they sell in the shop.
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| All local sharks teeth found on Englewood beaches |
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| Betty bought this huge Megladon from a diver. It can be yours for $500 |
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| Lots of local gulfcoast seashells |
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| There is always something to make out of a sea shells |
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| Need an idea for Christmas? |
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Betty has authored many shell craft books - all for purchase at the shop. The shop sells other local authors as well.
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| They have a nice selection of fossils |
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| Large not so perfect sharks teeth |
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| The American spirit is alive & well in Englewood - Baseball, apple pie, & sharks teeth |
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| Top shelf has some gorgeous horse conchs |
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| Nice idea |
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This went home with me. Brandi bought it at a garage sale and tweaked it with some shell art of her own. I love it.
Brandi also shared with me how her grandmother Betty would take her to the beach as a kid. They would go just to pick up litter & trash. Her grandma gave her a stick with a nail on the end and away they would go on their own coastal clean-up day.
I have fallen in love with my new hometown. I am thankful for the families like Brandi's that over the years have taken care of their little pin on the map & given each generation a love for the planet and the treasures that wash up on it's beaches.
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It's so nice to read a story about a family that carries on a business. It's not very common any more. Sound like you live in a wonderful place.
ReplyDeleteHi Kaybe,
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I couldn't believe the message you wrote on my blog..it brought me to tears...It was amazing about Dr. Prince...I am so moved...I'm going to tell people to look at your comment too!!!
And I love this shell store and I want to say that the wedding idea is simply precious!!! What a brilliant piece!!!
XO
I'm in awe over that shark's tooth. Scary! ....just in time for Halloween, huh?
ReplyDeleteHi Kaybe!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to drive down to Englewood. It's been years since I did this. Thanks for sharing some of the history...It's intriguing.
I, too, grew up here...only just across the bay in Tampa (Lutz, actually)...on a lake. We used to drive through Oldsmar to Dunedin...and Honeymoon Island in the 60s amd 70s and my husband and I would have picnic dates there in the early 70s. Now, I live just off Curlew Rd...right down the street...It's been interesting to watch how the area has grown and changed...yet remains the same.
Jane (artfully graced)
Great post Kaybe....of all the times I've driven past that place and I've never gone in but that will be changing soon...no more driving by, I'm going to stop the next time!
ReplyDeleteHi, Kaybe - I found your blog today off of Cindy's blog. I am so excited to read a Florida
ReplyDeleteblogger. Love your words on Cindy's blog. Your pictures of the shell shop brought back memories. I live in Ocala Florida and we use to have a wonderful shell shop down by Silver Springs for years and years. They have since tore it down "-(. I will be reading your blog now. God Bless you.
Linda Marsh
Ocala, Fla
Baseball, apple pie, and sharks' teeth--elements of the American Spirit. Funny and fun idea!!! I have a "thing" for Sea Pleasures on Venice Avenue, a lot like your shop in Englewood, I'm thinking.
ReplyDeleteHi Kaybe!
ReplyDeleteI come to you from Cindy's site! You left such a lovely comment there I just had to come and "see" you for myself!
This posting brought back such great memories - I used to live in Ft. Walton Beach back in the days before practically anyone else lived there! To find a sharks tooth and real seashells - that was easy! Wide open beaches that one could walk on for miles without seeing another soul... It's different now, but still beautiful. People are there now and people are beautiful so how could it not be!
I tried to follow along by google wouldn't let me. Please visit me at my site so I don't loose you!
Blessings!
Ann
Hi..
ReplyDeletejust became a follower..
came over at the mention in Shellebelle's Tiki Hut!
looking forward to see the neat stuff you two find!
wonderful post!!
I'll be stopping by often..
warm sandy hugs,,
Loui♥