One of the oldest structures in South Walton has a new inhabitant, but with a familiar last name.
Gallery 98 at Peach Creek has opened in the old Barrett Store location on U.S. Highway 98E. Gallery 98's proprietor is Melanie Barrett, who is married to fourth-generation native Craig Barrett.
The old store was built in 1925 and has enjoyed a long history of housing different families and businesses.
Craig's aunt Marie Barrett Marshall recently strolled through the handful of rooms where she grew up, pointing out her former bedroom, the living area, etc., and old photographs, including one of her brother and his pet bear.
"Playmates were hard to come by back then," said Marshall.
Marshall's father bought the store from Randall Holley, a long-time area family, in 1944 when the family relocated from Otter Creek so that 6-year-old Lorraine could attend the new school at Point Washington.
"It was an old shotgun store with gas pumps out front and a room where Mr. Holley lived," said Marshall. "Dad built larger living quarters for us on back."
The store sold milk, bread, cheese, canned goods and feed for horses, cows and chickens. In the summer, gas was a staple.
"Tourists would get nervous when they got this far out and saw nothing," said Marshall with a laugh.
Marie and Lorraine's parents sold the store in 1974 to Dorothy Miller and her husband. The couple operated the store for three years.
The Millers then sold it to Paul and Judy Fuller of Destin, who had it for only a short time before Paul died. Judy then rented it out.
In 1998, the Barrett sisters bought the property back. They opened an eclectic little store stocked with basics, snacks and homemade consignments. They rented the back of the store to a baker.
"When road construction on 98 was going on, we started serving lunches," said Marshall. "That did well until they completed the highway."
When the bakery relocated to Freeport and business slowed, the sisters rented the building out as office space. When the lease was up, Melanie jumped at the chance to relocate her gallery to the historic site.
"I have long admired that place and was ecstatic when I found that it was available for lease," said Melanie. "There is a lot of history there and they grew up there. It's special to me because it is part of my husband's family's history."
Melanie has worked as a photographer for 30 years. She has lived in the Fort Walton area for 15 years. She and Craig are building a house in Santa Rosa Beach.
Gallery 98 will carry Melanie's photographs and notecards and artwork on canvas by Karen Blevins and Mary Kay Samouce. Samouce is also a jewelry designer, specializing in wedding jewelry.
"There are just three of us now, but we will grow," said Melanie. "I feel like it's a God thing that I got it."
She plans to carry unique picture frames and candles in the future.
"There's something that feels really good to have a Barrett back in this building," said Marshall.
Gallery 98 is located approximately five miles east of U.S. Highway 331. Hours are 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. An open house is planned for July 11 from 6 - 8 p.m.
For more information call (850) 218-0476.
