NAVARRE — Julie Condon believes miracles happen every day in her little cottage store on Navarre Parkway.
Saltwater Cottage opened last May. It offers customers everything from blankets and artistic crosses to bracelets and even food items.
Each item in the shop comes from wholesalers who agree that a portion of the sales goes to charities. A portion of Condon’s overall earnings goes to Sand Dollar by the Sea to help victims of abuse.
“I believe that no matter how run down or broken something is, with enough love it can be restored,” Condon said. “I look at this store as more of an outreach. It’s a little chapel without the steeple.”
The quaint shop is set up in Navarre’s oldest cottage, dating back to the 1940s. Condon said when she found the building the floor was missing, there were holes in the wall and all the windows were broken.
“It was in shambles,” Condon said. “We learned later that it was the oldest and only standing original cottage in Navarre.”
Now, the wooden interior welcomes guests into the shabby-chic shop overstuffed with goods that give the feel of a beach indoors. Condon greets customers as if they’re old friends. She says once they enter her shop they are welcomed into the Saltwater Cottage family.
Each Saturday, Condon sets up a farmers market at her little store to offer those who stop by a sample of the goods before they purchase anything to take home.
“Every day God brings somebody in that I can minister to or who ministers to me,” she said while unpacking a box of scented candles. “This shop has become one of the biggest blessings I’ve ever had.”
In the first seven months, Condon said business has been good thanks to her unique items and a little faith.
“For the economy to be as bad as it is, I know there has to be divine intervention with this business,” Condon said, smiling. “I just know God’s in it and this is just the beginning. I don’t know where it’s going, but it’s going somewhere.”
Saltwater Cottage is at 8470 Navarre Parkway at State Road 87. For more information, call 939-7055 or 933-6121.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.
