Waterfront Living 2024 - 32

RETAILER PROFILE
Gifts & Gardening
Clay Garden and Gifts in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida,
combines community and seaside charm.
BY TERESA MCPHERSON
Contributing Editor
C
lay Garden and Gifts opened
in 2012 after a downturn in
the economy and an oil spill
closed the previous nursery that had
been located in the same spot. AnnaLisa
Daniel said she and husband
Jason Daniel merged their talents and
professions (he in horticulture, and she
in interior design) and opened Clay.
Over the years, Daniel said they
believe that God is ever shaping and
molding the company.
" In 2020, right as COVID restrictions
were beginning, we took on partners, "
she said. " This was a blessing because
partners were able to help us make
decisions regarding unchartered
territory. With partners, we were also
able to make capital
improvements,
including adding pavers throughout
the garden and a new permanent
outdoor sales kiosk. We opened a
wholesale
plant
division
for
our
landscape customers and purchased
the lot next to our nursery where we
would eventually move four historic
cottages to expand our offerings. "
COTTAGE COLLECTIONS
These cottages, formerly comprising
a motel called Seagrove Cottages, were
renovated and opened to its customers
last year, each housing different product
categories. The garden cottage offers a
large selection of chemicals, tools, seeds,
birding and windchimes, while the
outdoor living cottage contains outdoor
furniture and accessories,
including
pillows and rugs, lighting, citronella
candles and outdoor tableware.
The front cottage is the new home to
1920 & Co., a local community floral
business acquired last year.
" It was a great fit for us, " Daniel
said. " We shared a lot of the same
customer base and were both involved
in a lot of the same community events
and charities. We were continually
being asked to offer fresh flowers to
our business by our second-home
customers and tourists. We do not offer
events and weddings at this time, but
plan to expand our fresh stems. "
Rounding out its offerings, Clay's
gift shop - housed in an old cottage
that had been transplanted on site in
the 1970s - stocks planters, jewelry,
candles, terrariums, books, vases and
local art.
32 GIFT SHOP® PLUS | WATERFRONT LIVING 2024
Daniel said plans are in the works to
add a butterfly garden space outdoors,
as well as to use a fourth cottage - not
currently open - for educational and
artistic classes.
GULFSIDE GOODS
Located on East Scenic Highway 30A
in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, Daniel
said they're always on the lookout
for new products for their customers
that will withstand their harsh Gulf
Coast weather.
" Hot
temperatures, high humidity
and salt air can be brutal on outdoor
living and garden items, " she said.
" We carry resin wicker furniture,
powder-coated stainless steel lanterns
and outdoor candles, all-copper rain
chains, resin baskets, teak wood tables
and benches. And although we live in a
beach vacation area, we try to remain
true to themes that are native to our
coast and landscape. "
Waterfront Living 2024

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