Down By The Sea Closing After Nearly 20 Years Serving Flagler Beach Locals and Tourists

PALM COAST, Fla. - June 10, 2019 - PRLog -- Courtney Strickland, granddaughter of Down by the Sea owner Betty Jo Strickland, has announced that the store, a staple in the Flagler Beach community since 2000, will be closing next month. The 'one of a kind unique gift shop' is located at 208 S. 3^rd St. in Flagler Beach.

"Betty Jo has seen many shops, businesses, restaurants and the like come and go in Flagler Beach over the past two decades," said Courtney. "We are nostalgic about the closing thinking about all the friends Betty Jo has made, and the artists and authors she's encouraged over the years," Courtney added. "She didn't open the shop for money, she enjoyed making people happy or smile – the shop ran on relationships."

The store became know as the place to find books on old Florida history, including early southern history, as well as an 'art gallery' featuring hundreds, if not thousands of local artist's creations over the years. "Betty Jo loves history and was passionate about featuring local artist's work whenever she could," said Courtney.

Betty Jo would find many of the store's exclusive items traveling throughout Savannah, GA, SC, NC and even further. "Everything she purchased for the shop had a story," said Courtney. "She would relate the story to her customers and they loved hearing about the history of the item they were looking at or purchasing," she said. Courtney added that Christmas is Betty Jo's favorite time of the year and the store was decorated from head to toe.

Everything in the store is 75% off, including home decor items, photography, furniture, gifts, lamps, frames, hand made Christmas ornaments, santas, fairies and more. Clothing is 80% off. A few of the well-known brands that the shop carries are Lady Primrose, Goats Milk, Thymes, Aromatique, Trapp Candles, Rance, Hill House Naturals and more. All store racks and shelving are also for sale.

Over the years, the beach side shop has been featured in Romantic Home, Southern Living, and Southern Lady magazines.

Down by the Sea is located at 208 S. 3^rd St., Flagler Beach. The shop can be reached at 386-439-2255, or online at https://www.facebook.com/DownbytheSeaFlaglerBeach/. They are open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm through the end of July.