Top Places To Visit For Artistic, Fashionable & Spirited Things In Key West -Day 1
When you think of island life with blue skies, tropical breezes, warm ocean waves and gregarious, creative people, you can’t help but think of the port of Key West. Located at the southernmost tip of Florida and the United States, this spirited small town is a haven for performing and visual artists from around the world who have made Key West their home.
Key West welcomes a large fleet of cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, Holland America, Oceana, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea and more. If you are a first-time cruiser to Key West, you might want to take a Hop On Hop Off Trolley or ride the cute little Conch Train for a tour of this small town. Others may want to savor the beautiful beaches or bar hop on Duval Street, enjoying the town’s potent rum cocktails. And of course, foodies just love to dine on Key West’s jumbo pink shrimp and other fresh, locally sourced seafoods.
But as you know, I look for creative places in ports that showcase local arts, crafts, fashion, food and décor - beyond traditional souvenir shops. So in a town like Key West, with a plethora of $5 tee shirt shops, it can be a challenge. However, the biggest challenge I found myself facing during this visit was that there is so much original art and remarkable artisans in this vibrant town, that I didn’t have time to visit them all! I spent two days exploring side streets of Key West. If you are looking for unique and distinctive Things to admire, or acquire, during your visit to this island port, here is my list of top shops and galleries that deserve a visitor’s attention.
The Fabulous 500 Block of Fleming Street
Located just off Duval, on Fleming Street, this block features all locally owned and operated shops, galleries and restaurants. You can follow them on facebook. This is where my Key West shopping adventure began.
Key West Local Luxe
As fashion is near and dear to my heart, let’s start with one of my favorite kind of shops - jewelry. Key West Local Luxe is where I met owner, artist, designer and full-on fashionista Barb Grob. Barb's first ventures were as an owner of several galleries, representing 100’s of local Key West artists. After working as a fine art gallery owner and curator for over two decades, and being an artist and muralist herself, Barb decided to rekindle the creative spark of her first childhood passion; creating beautiful jewelry from fine jewels and gemstones.
The day I visited Barb, Local Luxe was closed, but she agreed to make time to meet with me at the shop, where she works with her two cherished dogs. Local Luxe showcases the finest in authentic gem, stone and pearl jewelry designs found nowhere else on the island. I loved the rare paua shell (abalone) from New Zealand, the stunningly large Tahitian pearls, lustrous opals and richly colored Mediterranean coral.
The shop is creatively merchandised by color, price and category. Prices range from $10 to $10,000, with a good array of beautiful pieces priced from $100 - $500. Barb creates many of the unique designs herself but also works with designers from around the world, especially artisans from Turkey and Greece.
What’s unique about Local Luxe is that Barb hosts a weekly “Pretty Party Shopping Show” on Facebook Live at 6pm EST. Each week she curates an assortment of new designs, discounted pieces and holiday-themed collections. On Wednesday evening, her VIP customers can preview the pieces and put in orders prior to Thursday’s broadcast. The live broadcast features “fit videos” and offers live interaction with the designer herself. Key West Local Luxe
Key West Island Books
Right next door you’ll find Key West Island Books, which houses a remarkable collection of new and used books, many written by local authors. It is the oldest bookstore in Key West. In fact, this bookstore is where Ernest Hemmingway himself read books there in 1930. The little shop is filled to the brim with all kinds of books along with many that are in storage. If you ask for a topic, they will find the perfect book for you or a loved one. Key West Island Books
Amanda Johnson Gallery & Studio
Just across Fleming Street, you’ll find Amanda Johnson’s Gallery and Studio. What a delightful artist! Amanda is originally from Chicago and studied art at the Chicago Art Institute. She found her true place in Key West about 12 years ago and her art exhibits what her soul feels here on the island of Key West. Amanda specializes in palette painting with impressionist styles ranging from flora and fauna to sea life and sunsets, all of which feature the brilliant luminosity of tropical light.
Amanda offers her work in original oils as well as giclee prints, which are digital scans of the original oil painting that is printed on archival quality canvas using a process referred to giclee. The canvas is stretched over a wood frame, varnished and UV coated for protection. What’s unique is once this process is complete, Amanda then hand embellishes each print with pallet knife and brushwork paint, making sure no two prints the same.
As many visitors know, Key West is a haven for free-roaming roosters and chickens. Amanda established a passion for these fouls and much of her art reflects it. She features a Rooster Collection of original paintings and giclee prints. Her rooster series has grown to include more than 20 original oil paintings, most of which are in private collections and a selection of the roosters has been published into a limited edition of fine art series of 50. The roosters, with brilliantly colored plumage, are enjoying Key West life and each has their own distinct personality. My favorite rooster? The Chardonnay Queen Rooster, who is enjoying a glass of white wine while relaxing on a Key West beach. Amanda Johnson Fine Art
Sea Store Key West
Adjacent to Amanda’s gallery is a small shop called the Sea Store. What a treasure – in the true meaning of the word! The manager Billy told me that the Sea Store specializes in reclaiming old lobster traps and conch house wood (traps). They utilize the wood to make frames in which they place local art prints and artifacts from Key West’s vibrant history, including many old photographs of Ernest Hemingway himself. 10% of the store’s merchandise is comprised of original documents and even 1st edition Hemingway books.
Visitors to Sea Store discover an array of collectibles including one-of-a-kind antique bottles, shipwreck coins, and colorful crustaceans mounted on the reclaimed box wood. Their collection of mosaic-type sea animal and fish sculptures, crafted of local sea glass and wood, can be framed or unframed and sparkle brilliantly in the tropical sun. Sea Store also has an assortment of Cuban artifacts-turned-art, such as old cigar boxes, license plates and rum barrels. The shop is like a small museum, but with unique, hand made historic crafts you can take home with you! Key West Sea Store
The Roost
Nestled amongst the quaint local shops and galleries on Fleming Street, you’ll find a fabulous place with delicious craft cocktails called The Roost. It’s an upscale local-favorite bar whose bartender is one of the best mixologists I’ve encountered. All ingredients are fresh and mixed to perfection with your favorite spirits. If you have time, be sure to also visit their sister bar, Mary Ellen’s for a fabulous frozen Irish whiskey concoction mixed with Oreo cookies. Delicious! The Roost
You’ll discover more apparel boutiques, antique shops, studios, restaurants, a bakery and even Key West’s iconic grocery store, Fausto’s Food Palace, on Fleming Street. Be sure to make time to explore them all during your next visit to this fun and funky island!
This completes day 1 of my Key West shopping quest. But there’s much more creativity to share. Read on for day 2 of my search for distinctive, delicious and artistic Things in Key West.
Till then, keep cruisin’ through life, discovering your own special Things!
CHEERS!
