A Trove of Treasures
Newly opened boutique on Sanibel offers an eclectic mix of items for both rovers and residents
If you happen upon Cargo Trading Co. while visiting Sanibel, chances are you’ll be hit with a temporary case of amnesia. Not to worry— simply peering out of the store’s wall- length windows onto Periwinkle Place and all its palm- treed glory is enough to verify that you’re still on the island. But back i nside, the exposed old hickory flooring, brick walls and natural furnishings resemble decor often seen in other parts of the country.
“We wanted to do something different,” says Karen Roberts, who opened the two- story space with her husband, Paul, in February. “We did not want to go full- coastal; we have plenty of that on the island.”
And the Periwinkle Place boutique is certainly a far cry from surrounding seaside shops. Paul, who designed the interior, says it has a reclaimed, urban feel with 20th- century architecture commonly seen in cities like Denver and San Francisco.
But the design is just one part of the store’s appeal. Inspired by unwavering wanderlust and the wealth of places they’ve visited, the duo buys and sells pieces that surpass that of island life. Featured inside are Asian adornments, wooden keepsakes, candles, nature- like pieces and works by craftsmen from all over. Of course, there are selections from Florida- based artisans and plenty of shell- filled knickknacks and ocean- themed wall art, but Karen says the ultimate goal is to suit a realm of tastes.
“We like to travel and wanted to incorporate travel and things from around the world,” Karen adds. “I get a lot of people saying, ‘ I’ve never seen these things before!’”
Despite a wide- ranged inventory, two types of items can always be found: those that are reclaimed and those made in America. Current pieces include glassware from seasonal Sanibel resident and Oklahoma- based artist Steve Brewster, and items from Think Outside, a brand centered on repurposing.