The Ladies GO COASTAL!
Just a little about us…because we’re women, IT IS ALL ABOUT US! Seaside Sisters, our little beach gift shop on Tybee Island, Georgia, was conceived by a terrific triad of women as a result of their love for coastal art, home décor and gifts. Sallie Armstrong, Susan Kelleher and Nancy Smith, the matriarchs of this mini coastal gift mecca, are devoted to their seashore lifestyle and want to share it with visitors to Tybee Island.
Our beach-inspired gift shop is a collection of fabulous finds specially chosen by our consortium of Seaside Sisters; all with different tastes, talents and takes on the Tybee Island way of life. Diane Kaufman (Mermaid Cottages), Tracey O’Neill (Tim’s Beach Gear), Kathy Trocheck (Mary Kay Andrews), Polly Stramm, Nancy Rubin and Sandra Blount (the Treasure Room) make up the rest of our Seaside Sorority.
We specialize in local art, American-made crafts, funky furnishings, linens and decorative items. But we’d be lazy if we stopped there….books, candles, seasonal stuff, antiques, frivolities, womens accessories and a whole slew of things you will just love!
So the next time you are on Tybee Island and you need to pick up a gift or just browse the best little shop on the island, stop in and see us! Seaside Sisters…. Sassy, brassy, yet always classy! We are THE BEST LITTLE SHORE HOUSE ON TYBEE!
Sallie Armstrong, Seaside Sister
A decade ago (boy does that sound like a long time!) I was on a business trip for Southern Company in Savannah. My husband, Jim, came to spend the weekend with me & asked if I would like to go out to Tybee Island. Although I was a native Georgian, I had never heard of Tybee Island …. I figured it can’t be much, if I’d never heard of it!
On a quiet Fall afternoon we walked down the beach crossover on the South end of the island and we knew immediately that this was the place we wanted to call home. We started working to make it happen right away…after 27 years as a Customer Service Training Coordinator and Instructor; I was running away to live at the beach! I am now living my lifelong dream of having a house with a palm tree in the front yard and drinking my morning coffee while looking at the ocean.
After beach bumming for a while, I was ready to put my business skills back to good use on Tybee Island. When the other sisters and I started talking about opening a shop on Tybee, I considered the talents of our triumvirate… Susan’s successful career in retail, Nancy’s financial finesse, and my many years in customer service. I just knew we had the makings of a recipe for success…Tybee needed a shop like Seaside Sisters and we had the talent to pull it all together!
Nancy Smith, Seaside Sister
Of the trio, I’m the gray-haired partner who loves to paint furniture and old windows (and behind the scene partner who keeps the books). My artwork is fun and funky – you’ll notice the colorful fish on many of my pieces. Each piece is an original and every fish has its very own personality!
My other passion is cooking… I published a cookbook called “Cooking on Tybee Time” May 2008. It is full of all of my favorite recipes as well as stories and photos of my friends and family doing what they love best… EATING! It is a cookbook that is simple, ingredients are what you have in your pantry, and easy to read (BIG print). The cookbook is available at Seaside Sisters!
As a partner with Sallie and Susan, we bring a wide range of merchandise to Seaside Sisters. The store was an opportunity to provide Tybee residents and tourists a fun place to shop. We offer them a Coastal Cottage atmosphere with quirky, original art pieces; one of a kind painted furniture; jewelry; accessories for women; gifts and decor for the home; treasures found at estate sales; books, t-shirts, hats, etc. You name it, Seaside Sisters has it! We work really hard to keep the inventory fresh and interesting… so much for retirement! Who would believe that 2 1/2 years have gone by!!
We look forward to your next visit to Tybee but if you can’t drop by and see us, visit our website, online store, and browse the store. Merchandise changes quickly so call to order ASAP and we will send it your way! Thanks for “visiting” with us!
Diane Kaufman, Seaside Cousin
As one of the Seaside “Cousins”, I’m delighted to be a part of this wonderful store ! I’ve filled my shop space with vintage treasures and original art from local artists who I personally adore and want to share. The brighter, whimsical and more cheerful the better!
In my “spare” time, I manage Mermaid Cottages Vacation Rentals- a collection of quirky cottages and historic homes ( mostly pet friendly) here on Tybee Island. All of my homeowners love to find coastal treasures for their cottages at Seaside Sisters! We are very proud to manage Paula Deen’s Y’all Come Inn beach retreat and my space in the shop is the headquarters for Paula’s spices, sauces and Captain Michael’s Coffee.
We ‘ve created Beach Bum Biscuits for our 4 legged visitors with proceeds going to support our annual sponsorship of Guide and Service Dogs, so be sure you stop by and pick up a bag for this very worthy cause! Plus the all natural, organic treats are yummy! www.beachbumbiscuits.blogspot.com
Tracy O’Neill, Seaside Cousin
As a native Texan, I’ve had the pleasure of living on Tybee for over three years now. When I moved to Tybee from Dallas, I had no intention of going into retail, but one thing led to another, and now I have my own little corner at Seaside Sisters. I love “playing” shop and stocking my area with things I love — girlie stuff and antiques! One of my favorite lines is “Fluff,” an adorable assortment of cosmetic bags, coin purses and beach totes. On Saturday mornings, you can find me scouting estate sales, auctions and garage sales… there are so many treasures to find right here in Tybee and Savannah!
For my real jobs, I raise two precious girls and a husband. I also work for an IT Outsourcing company as a project manager. Working out of my home on Tybee has allowed us to explore new opportunities in our lives like Seaside Sisters, and my husband’s bike and beach rental business Tim’s Beach Gear.
We’re so glad we found Tybee – such a wonderful place to call home!