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Contacts: Chelle Koster Walton, SanCap Chamber Media Liaison
239-699-4754
Caption: The SanCap Chamber celebrated a new island boutique inspired by island resiliency.
SanCap Chamber reveres latest retail gem with Island Pearl ribbon-cutting
After longtime friends Sherry May and Jamie Jacob lost their Fort Myers wedding venue business to Hurricane Ian, they shifted gears. Inspired by Sanibel Island’s resiliency, they opened their Island Pearl boutique on March 27 in The Village Shops at 2340 Periwinkle Way. On June 26, the SanCap Chamber formally welcomed the new business with its traditional ribbon-cutting.
“Like the oyster that endures the storm and transforms adversity into a pearl, Island Pearl was born from challenge, change, and unwavering friendship,” said May. “Just as Sanibel’s shorelines rebuild and bloom again, Island Pearl offers a haven of coastal grace — where beauty is hand-selected, stories are honored, and every detail is touched by the transformative power of starting fresh.”
The boutique’s eclectic and carefully curated collection of home accents, jewelry, fashions, and gifts reflect the island way-of-life and esthetic. Avid shoppers with an eye for quality and elegance, May and Jacob seek out pieces with a sense of place and meaning.
“Each treasure is selected to inspire joy, spark conversation, and offer a lasting connection to Sanibel’s beauty,” May said. “Each piece reflects the strength it takes to begin again, the elegance that follows endurance, and the hope that rises from the tides.”
As more businesses bring The Village Shops center to a new level of vitality and panache, the Island Pearl owners see their boutique as a place for islanders and fellow business owners to connect and strengthen the heart of the community.
“We just love the concept and fitting analogy of resiliency and rebirth we find at Island Pearl, along with the unexpected treasures – like rare pearls tucked into the security of an oyster shell,” said John Lai, SanCap Chamber president and chief executive officer. “It truly brings a jewel to our steadily recovering retail landscape.”
“From the very first week we opened, Island Pearl has been met with genuine warmth and encouragement from the Sanibel community,” May said. “The chamber of commerce offered a gracious welcome, and fellow business owners have stopped in simply to offer kind words and support.”
ABOUT SANCAP CHAMBER
SanCap Chamber is dedicated to promoting the prosperity of its members and preserving the quality of life of our community. The Chamber plays a key role in facilitating communication and cooperation between business, residents, and government to enhance the economic health of the islands. Its website, sanibel-captiva.org, receives over a million visits per year. For more information about the chamber, visit sanibel-captiva.org or contact John Lai, president and CEO, at 239-472-2348 or [email protected].
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