Article by Linda Motzenbecker
Locals and visitors alike recognize Gulfport as an open and welcoming waterfront arts community. There are lots of dining places and many new, unique shopping options, great music and art everywhere. Weekly year-round, the Gulfport market offers fresh produce, honey, handmade soaps, lotions, and lots of arts and crafts, Tuesdays 9am-3pm. First Fridays and third Saturdays are special evenings in Gulfport. For example, Jan. 16th 5-9pm at the Maker’s Market, art makers and crafters will be lined up and down the boulevard with homemade candles, pottery, jewelry and more. Mark your calendar and check it out. This is quintessential Gulfport – fun, wacky, arty and weird.
This month, Paradise NEWS began this co-operative advertising spread for Gulfport merchants and another for Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach, features we plan to bring you each issue if sufficient support exists.
We appreciate the charter advertisers who joined us for the first few months and ask you to help spread the word. If you live in Florida, you should learn to scuba dive. The Gulfport Dive Center at 5008 Gulfport Blvd. (22nd Ave. S) offers dive classes, affordable trips and everything anyone could need or want for diving. The owner and staff are very knowledgeable with lots of experience. In the same plaza, you can find Mid-Florida Appliances. Brothers John and Jim offer quality used refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers and more, at the best prices in town. Jim’s been with GE for 30 years and John knows commercial plumbing. Three blocks west, on the north side, you’ll find Beach House 5317. They have over a hundred artists’ works including unique hand-painted furniture, wall and home decor. Great gift ideas too.
In the heart of Gulfport. Zaiya Artizen Market, 3119 Beach Blvd., is a boutique, gallery, gift shop with crystals and all sorts of unique finds, from Soho and tie-dye clothing to sophisticated linens and silks in all sizes. Paw Paws Pet Boutique has relocated from John’s Pass, next door to Zaiya at 3129 Beach Blvd., with great gift ideas for pets and the people who love them.
In its new courtyard location, next to Stella’s restaurant, Stella’s Sundries offers a variety of unique gifts including kitchen gadgets, artist works, etc. Across the street from Stella’s, in the new blue building, is the ceramic studio and gallery of Brenda McMahon. Brenda creates handmade sugar fire vessels and wall art tile for commercial and residential settings. This wall art tile brings many earth materials together, clay, stones and glass. She would love to create one of her dozens of custom creations just for your home. Stop by her gallery or give Brenda a call for more information at 518-692-7742.