Cabana Life took the next step in offering its selection of stylish sun protective clothing to the community with the opening of its first boutique in Jacksonville Beach on Feb. 13.
Previously, Cabana Life had strictly online with a couple of in-person sample sales within the past year.
However, it was the success of those sample sales that played a role in helping owner and founder Melissa Papock realize that the time was right for the business’ first brick-and-mortar store.
“It’s something we’ve been thinking about for a while now, and once we moved to the Jacksonville Beach office space, we really realized that it was a great opportunity for something more permanent,” Papock said. “It was really a no-brainer.”
The boutique is located in conjunction with the office space that they have had and is located at 315 11th Ave. North in Jacksonville Beach, and is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Having the boutique and the office as one is not just convenient but is also an aspect of that Papock believes will pay dividends in the overall design of future products.
“It’s really perfect for our team because now they can find out what the people like firsthand and we can use that feedback to help give the community what they are truly in search of,” Papock said. “We’ll even be able to put out some of our fall prototypes and get people to try them on to see if they like them.”
Those aspects were just not able to be part of the design process before because there are only certain things that can be gained from the online marketplace that an actual storefront can help make up for.
“We have a very big ecommerce business but there is also something about touching and feeling a product that people appreciate,” Papock said. “We’re looking forward to providing our customers with the best of both options.”
The customer service angle is another area where a storefront can be a different experience than online if a customer happens to have an immediate question about a certain product they are trying on.
“We’re all there all the time for any questions a customer may have about a certain look,” Papock said. “Our customer service is something people can expect, because we want to do everything we can to add to the experience, which is why we offer drinks for those shopping around our store.”
The addition of the storefront has not changed the involvement that Papock strives for within the community as she continues to not just sell clothes that protect from the sun’s rays, but also educate people about how harmful they can be if the proper steps are not taken.
This is something Papock unfortunately knows firsthand after being diagnosed with melanoma when she was 26 years old.
She understands how fortunate she was that it was caught early but wants to do everything she can to make sure others prevent being faced with the fear that comes with that news. That includes any local sports teams that play outdoors in the sun.
“We want to invite golf teams, tennis teams or pickleball teams to come out and join us if they want to have a fun shopping day,” Papock said. “Our boutique is the perfect place for it.”
