Tucker’s Provisions, Key West, Florida
If you see people walking around Key West in hats or shirts with a rooster emblazoned on it, there’s a good chance it came from Tucker’s Provisions. “It is our trademark logo,” said Kurt Matarazzo. “People find it interesting when they visit here; there are chickens and roosters running wild. These are novelty elements for people who visit.”
“Our specialty is personal service and merchandise inspired by vintage Key West, the coastal lifestyle, and an aesthetic that is squarely ‘American’ in an understated and timeless sense.”
Kurt Matarazzo, co-owner
Tucker’s Provisions sits on prime real estate at the midpoint of Duval Street, which is Key West’s main thoroughfare in historic Old Town, the perfect location for tourist foot traffic. The busy season for the store is when the majority of the tourists visit, which is December through April.
The five-year-old shop is housed in a cheery yellow building. The merchandise consists primarily of apparel for women, men and children, but it does have a nice selection of accessories and gifts, sourced from all over the world. Enamel mugs are an especially popular gift item.
The Matarazzos, w
ho have lived in the Keys for two decades, feel that Key West’s isolated spot on the globe has long been a draw for millionaires and free-spirited rebels alike. The vibe of the store calls to mind an era of a simpler time and appeals to every demographic.
“People have a nostalgic idea of Key West based very much around a lot of historical architecture. It has an eclectic history about itself, so the store captures that emotional response of what most people imagine Key West be,” said Matarazzo.
And with only two employees, one-on-one service is the retailer’s calling card.
“Our specialty is personal service and merchandise inspired by vintage Key West, the coastal lifestyle, and an aesthetic that is squarely ‘American’ in an understated and timeless sense,” Matarazzo said. “The Tucker’s Provisions world is one of lemonade and cocktails on porches, picnics on the beach, and lessons learned around the dinner table.”
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