If you grew up along the beaches of the Space Coast, Patsy’s might sound familiar to you. It was a tiny shop tucked into the sea dunes just off of A1A and the Eau Gallie Causeway. The front door opened into a mecca of shell-themed jewelry and gifts, all lined along shelves like a mermaid’s dream. It wasn’t fancy but the view was gorgeous facing out to the Atlantic, and Patsy had a steady stream of customers for years. At night, long after the doors were locked, the parking lot was known to teenagers in the 80s as a great make out spot (or so I have heard). It then morphed into a community center until two hurricanes had their way with the beaches and the building was razed in 2004.
Patsy’s hadn’t crossed my mind in years but I reflexively turned my head as we passed by the spot while I was home for a visit a few weeks ago. The laws that protected the beachfront in Indian Harbour from any buildings taller than three stories had expired nd the frenzy of construction that followed took my breath away. It appeared that every inch of space that could be built on was filled with non-descript condos that stretched so high they seemed to block out the sun. I saw a bulldozer in the spot where Patsy’s used to be, nestled into the sea grapes that it would probably plow down the next day. I thought of the big glass jar next to my tub filled with seashells from the beaches that I grew up on. They might be all I have left to remember with all this “progress” changing the beaches forever.
My dad spoke up, interrupting my melancholy thoughts, “Do you remember Patsy’s Shell Shop?” I had to smile as I told him I did (but I didn’t mention my memories had little to do with the sea shells). “Well Patsy passed away a while ago, but she willed the city the land the shop sat on. They are turning it into a park with beach access” he continued. It seemed a perfect fit and my heart lifted a little bit at the thought that my kids and maybe even my grandkids someday could gaze at the Atlantic and wander over the same sands that I did as a child. If they are lucky, maybe they might even find a sea shell on that beach to slip into their pocket and take home too.
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Tags: 1980s, beaches, Canova Beach, Florida, Indian Harbour Beach, Patsy's Shell Shop
Very nice article, thanks! I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed. Please keep up posting.
Patsy’s shell shop was such an ordinary landmark but brings a tear to my eyes as i remember lazy days on the beach, giving directions to new friends,absolutely many, many parking lot memories, and i will forever remember the little shell shop down the street from where i grew up!
Nicole I am glad you were able to reminisce with me
Wow,I havve been feeling so sad, since I noticed the building going on in place of where Patsys was. We stopped the car,any my boyfriend,got out to see if we could tell or get any sign of what was going to become of it. I remember going there soooo many times. Sometimes going there to hang out and do things that we maybe shouldnt have been.lol I grew up here as well since 1968. I pass the site daily. I am glad to know that something posetive and not an eyesore will be going there. Patsy would be happy to know that and to still hear laughter and see smiles of finding the ocean’s treasures….. thank you for reminding us.
I know exactly how you feel and am so glad that Patsy left such a great gift for the area too!! I miss going to the beach and IHB will always be home for me
The gift of such a beautiful piece of land speaks volumes for a woman I never had the honor of meeting. Next time you are in the area I would like to invite you to visit the new Canova Beach Community Center. At the entrance to the park is a plaque mounted on bricks salvaged from the original Patsy’s Shell Shop.
It honors the Lady that so lovingly gave the gift of the park so others would continue to enjoy the beach.
Thank you Shari! I will be home for a visit in a few weeks and will definitely stop by the community center!