When Jennifer Hogue was thinking about what to name her new shop on Gasparilla Island she knew she wanted something with an island ring and the word sun in the title.
"Under The Sunny Umbrella" emerged as the name of the newest retail store in Boca Grande.
Hogue said she just liked how those words sounded.
Article Photos
Jennifer Hogue, owner of the new Under The Sunny Umbrella store on Boca Grande, prepares her shop for the season.
Doors officially opened Sept. 12 and Hogue said she is looking forward to season arriving and meeting new friends.
The Buffalo, N.Y., native moved to Florida in 2011 after spending the previous two years in Rochester, N.Y.
The chose her shop site after driving around one day in Englewood and stumbling upon Boca Grande. After spending the day on island at the beach she fell in love with the beauty and peacefulness on Gasparilla Island.
Fact Box
Under The Sunny Umbrella at a glance
Owner: Jennifer Hogue
Specialty: Art and clothing
Store Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Open Sundays during season.
Address: 480 East Railroad Ave. No. 3
Hogue worked on island in retail in spring so when she saw the opening become available on the porch on 480 E. Railroad Ave., she went after her dream of opening a craft co-op storefront. She wanted to bring local artists and their work together under one roof.
"Since I was a kid, and was taught how to sew at the age of 7 by my grandmother and neighbor, I knew this was what I had always wanted to do," she said.
Inside the shop, several different styles vie for attention. The shop is bright inside with island colors on every wall. Hogue painted her shop as soon as she signed her lease and long before she opened her door for business. She wanted the decor to represent that "island theme."
The store now showcases work from 13 different consigners. Mediums include 3-D, textile art, painted furniture, jewelry, specialty yarn jewelry, gift baskets, pottery, ceramic pieces, drawings, hand soaps, body sprays and more.
Chiffon clothing is a showcased line.
"It is very lightweight and pretty material," Hogue said. "It has a wonderful feel to it as well."
Hogue, herself a talented artist, displays pieces of her own in the shop, too. Her butterfly shadow boxes are beautiful as are several of her handmade pillows.
She is crafty with her hands with several baby blankets and quilts near completion.
"I am always looking to expand my talents and hope to make some shell creations soon when my time allows me to," Hogue said.
Hogue is the only employee working at the shop. Once season arrives she expects to hire some help.
