Jun 24, 2011

Gift shop specializes in memorabilia of the iconic soft drinkBy Katie TammenNWFDailyNews.com

Fort Walton Beach — Sometimes it’s all about finding a niche.

For siblings Jeff Ring and Cheryl Griffin, that meant maintaining the feel of a 1950s general store their father created while still appealing to locals and tourists.

They seem to have found the magic formula. The owners of Buccaneer Gift Shop, which specializes in Coca-Cola products, have kept their business open longer than any other along the strip of U.S. Highway 98 through downtown Fort Walton Beach.

Buccaneer’s caught Amanda McGee’s eye as she drove through on her way to Destin.

Visiting the area for the first time, the Texas resident noted the store’s location and came back another day to explore it.

“It had different kinds of things that you don’t see everywhere,” McGee said of her drive-by impression as she thumbed through a copy of Elvis Presley’s will at the shop. “It’s a nice break from the usual beachy (shops).”

McGee said she was impressed at the variety of items available, especially the extensive collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia.

“If we had a room we were doing Coke (themed), this would be the place to come, definitely,” she said.

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