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New Beach Store Is Storm Proof

Publication:DailyNews;

Catch the wave! Surf in to new online beach shops.

What’s new in retail and restaurants along the Emerald Coast.

Adversity was the mother of invention for Navarre Beach entrepreneurs Mike and Caryn Martino. After two hurricanes in the last year temporarily derailed both of their Eco-Beach storefronts, the Martinos began brainstorming ways to make their businesses storm-resistant and began toying with the idea of an online store.

“It began after Ivan,” said Mike Martino, reflecting on his efforts. “But after Katrina — when I saw New Orleans just about wiped off the face of the earth — that’s what really did it.”

Their minds made up, the Martinos jumped online with both feet, and now own some 80 Internet names, according to Mike Martino. They also recently opened two fullfledged online stores that offer many of the same items carried in their Eco-Beach shops located on Navarre Beach. The only difference is the online stores never close, not even for a hurricane.

“I believe my business is going to be a model for other businesses,” said Mike Martino.

“Part of every business’s hurricane preparedness should be to have a Web site.”

Or, better yet, more than one Web site.

The Martino’s new Pensacola Beach Store at www.pensacolabeachstore.com sells an array of T-shirts, including those bearing Eco-Beach’s signature phrase “Got Sand?” The site also offers beachinspired art, apparel and incidentals such as wooden surfing trophies, bamboo wind chimes, woven sandals and handbags, hand painted beach signs and a variety of colorful clothing, including the hardto-find Mad Gringo line for men.

Another new online store, www.tikistore.com, offers a variety of hand-carved tikis and other tropical inspired items

www.eco-beach.com, www.tikistore.com and www.pensacolabeachstore.com

Joni Williams writes about new stores and restaurants every week e-mail jlw411@bellsouth.net or.

THE RETAIL CORRIDOR JONI WILLIAMS