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Shopping 30-A A myriad of shops, galleries, and eateries stretch along a two-lane Florida highway just yards from the sparkling Gulf of Mexico. Sunglasses. Car keys. Cash. I check off a short list of must-haves for a day of shopping along Northwest Florida's Highway 30-A. The sun warms the Emerald Coast early this time of year, and it's heating up as I depart from my cottage at Seaside. Along the 19-mile road, a beachfront detour from U.S. 98, towns flow into one another with little more than small signs announcing the change in mailing address. I start at the western end of 30-A, in Santa Rosa Beach. My first stop is Gulf Place. Here, SOHO Home offers whitewashed furniture. Gidgets, Hepburn's, and SOHO Beach stock the latest in coastal fashions. Notre Maison features sleek, modern decor. Beyond the larger complex I find a cluster of small buildings sided in corrugated metal and trimmed in bright paint—purple, hot pink, lime. A collaboration of area craftspeople, Artists at Gulf Place showcases a range of works, from metal sculpture to painted mailboxes. At the outdoor register, a man lounges in an Adirondack chair in the shade. "Take a look around," he says with an easy smile. Next stop: Gaffrey Art Gallery, a folk-art studio in Blue Mountain Beach. From 30-A, I spy a group of hand-painted American flags and make a quick left onto Blue Gulf Drive. A bright yellow house serves as the backdrop for artist Justin Gaffrey's front-yard gallery. I make a mental note to return and purchase the lighthearted "Gone Surfin" sign for my office. Right after lunch. For that, friends had recommended Sally's by the Sea Store. At first I wonder why they'd send me to a gas station for food, but I quickly see: Locals throng the store's deli counter. After a turkey and cheese on wheat, fixed to my specifications, I'm grateful. At the intersection of 30-A and State Road 83, a barrage of signs directs me right or left to the attractions of Grayton Beach. I choose left for the Shops of Grayton. Two rows of bungalows shelter a trove of treasures—from custom pet portraits to clothing to vintage kitsch. I duck into Wilhelmina, where furniture, outdoor art, and accessories spill onto decks displaying garden finds. Back in the car, I cross 30-A and head toward the beach. Tucked away from the street, Magnolia House sits under a lush canopy of trees. Inside, smooth music drifts through the store, leading me from room to room as well-worn floorboards creak under my weight. The shop carries high-end linens, stationery, and bath products. Nearby, Rock Hard Designs features handcrafted local art that is at once jewelry and sculpture. Grayton Plaza, just down the street, is a small mall with a range of merchants: several galleries, a kitchen store, and interiors shops. Callie's brims with products in calming shades of white. The polar opposite, Les Sassy Mermaids offers bright glass and one-of-a-kind items in every hue. Tres Monet's boasts fresh flowers, wreaths, and tabletop fountains alongside candles and glassware. Lily Pads' 23 vendors display a selection of housewares and collectibles. This place could occupy my attention all day, but it's closing time for stores and sunset time for me. At Bud & Alley's in Seaside, I order a cocktail and watch the western horizon. After dusk, I'm on to Basmati's for sushi, then to bed. Tomorrow, I'll conquer the eastern end of 30-A. I awake anxious to see what discoveries await—and how my checking account will fare. In Seaside's town center, merchants peddle a smattering of everything—wine, specialty clothing, bike rentals, and toys. Sundog Books is a quiet escape within this vacation. Steps away at Pizitz Home & Cottage, sea-grass rugs anchor home interiors. Shells top cypress side tables while soft floral pillows accent plush, slipcovered chairs. The Gourd Garden & Curiosity Shop of Seagrove Beach charms passersby. I'm charmed enough to stop in and peruse the greenhouse, herb gardens, and pottery. A little farther down the road, Collaborations bills its inventory as "stuff that don't match the couch." And that it don't. I walk through a gate and realize this store begins in its courtyard. Once I make my way inside, I browse the eclectic assortment of furniture, accessories, and artwork. The next community, Rosemary Beach, has a town center reminiscent of a European village. A furniture and slipcover store adjoins a quaint inn and outdoor eateries. They're just yards from the eastern end of 30-A, where the two-lane road rejoins U.S. 98 for the route to Panama City. I return to my rental cottage tired, yet satisfied. I should update my checklist, though—bring extra cash. Lacey N. Howard
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