Business

Just behind the large commercial buildings in the town of Gulf Place, a group of diverse South Walton artists have created a fun and funky collection of small shops. Dwight Ward started The Artists at Gulf Place in 1999 and it's become a magnet for locals and beach visitors ever since.

The artists in the group are quite diverse, with eclectic creations and products, displaying unique styles, so consider it a guarantee that there is a little something for every shopper.

The latest real estate statistics for South Walton show continued improvement – sales are up, prices are up, inventory is lower – the number of real estate sales in South Walton are up for the 12th straight month.

The South Walton Real Estate Report for June 2013 is produced by Florida REALTORS® and provided by the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors® (ECAR).

The Perfect Pig is a delightful café and gourmet market on the curve in Seagrove Beach at the Shops of Grand Isle - excellent breakfast, lunch, and dinner not to be missed! The South of France meets Napa Valley meets the Deep South in this adorable café. The hand-sliced bacon and ham, the homemade sauces and biscuits, and cheese smothering it all - create the perfect meal. It’s comfortable, family-friendly, and has outdoor seating. 

Nestled amongst the palm trees in the heart of Alys Beach is the town's inaugural retail building – the Alys Shoppe. The new urban town is known for its unique architecture, clean lines, and sophisticated style, and the Alys Shoppe embodies the town. Every square inch of the elegant boutique boasts carefully chosen designers from around the world – each with a special story. From the flowy, comfy dresses to the beach ready tunics and covers to men’s Italian linen, hats, and swimsuits, Alys Shoppe has taken the concept of a boutique to a high level. 

Visions of Seaside: Foundations / Evolution / Imagination / Built & Unbuilt Architecture, a new 608-page book by Dhiru A. Thadani, is now available in select stores in Seaside, Florida. The hard-bound, coffee table book explores important pieces of Seaside history, insights and ideas and will be sold exclusively in Seaside until September 3 and then available on Amazon and Random House bookstores.

Salon Twist in Seagrove Beach excels at every aspect of hair styling, precision cuts, and brilliant color. Owner Gina Shiflett has worked in the beauty industry for over 25 years. She doesn't let a day go by without feeling grateful for her success and the loyalty of her clients. 

Gina opened the salon in March of 2004 after relocating from Atlanta to South Walton. She grew up in the industry, working in her mother’s beauty shop. 

Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast will host the Oneblood mobile unit on Thursday, July 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the main entrance of the hospital, located at 7800 U.S. Highway 98 West in Miramar Beach.

All donors will receive a free t-shirt and a meal ticket to the hospital’s café. Anyone who donates blood two times between now and Sept. 30, 2013 will receive a free steak dinner courtesy of Outback Steakhouse®.

South Walton Beaches are an incredible place for a storybook wedding, and hardly a day goes by without a perfect sunset wedding on the beach. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has hosted thousands of beach weddings over the years and was recently named the “Best of Weddings” for 2013 by The Knot. At Sandestin, you can get married at one of the best beaches in the world without leaving the country. 

Redd’s Fueling Station is the newest little place in South Walton where everyone knows your name. Situated just behind Sally’s By the Sea Store in Blue Mountain Beach, this restaurant is bursting at the seams with entertainment. After opening the first week in July, there is a major local following of friends, locals and fans of Redd the Singing Bartender.

WaterColor Inn & Resort is extremely popular and well-loved by vistors from all over the world. It's one of the most celebrated beach towns in South Walton and recently received yet another award for excellence. The readers of Travel + Leisure magazine selected WaterColor Inn & Resort as one of the top 100 hotels in the world and ranked the Resort as #12 on the “World’s Best” list for the Continental United States.