Featured Image: Destination Panama City
There’s a certain rhythm to shopping in Panama City—one that moves slower than a click-and-ship cart. Maybe it’s the salt air drifting in from St. Andrews Bay, or the way shop doors open onto brick streets and stories. Here, browsing is about meeting the people behind the artisan goods and crafts, running your hands across textures that carry history, and discovering pieces you didn’t know you were looking for.
From breezy boutiques to antique troves and hands-on studios, Panama City turns a simple shopping trip into a personal adventure.
Boutique Finds With a Point of View
In Historic St. Andrews, the stretch along Beck Avenue feels like a curated stroll through personal style. Gypsy Willow draws you in before you even step inside, its pink-and-purple cottage exterior giving way to a space that feels lifted from a Parisian side street. Inside, gilded mirrors reflect shelves of eclectic finds: vintage band tees, delicate lockets, worn-in handbags, and small treasures that seem to carry their own quiet histories.
Just down the street, Trendy Side offers a playful contrast—rompers, jumpsuits, and soft-hued separates that lean into color and comfort without sacrificing style. But step a little further inside, and the space opens into Sunjammers, where fashion meets function in the most Gulf Coast way possible. Here, you’ll find everything from beach-day essentials like chairs and Yeti coolers to kayaks, outdoor gear, and accessories built for time on the water. It’s the kind of place where you might come in for a pair of sandals and leave ready for a full day on the bay, portable s’mores kit included.
A short ride along Beach Drive and you find yourself at Hoyden Hat Co. Owner and designer Brit built the shop from a daydream sparked out West, and you can feel that spirit in every detail—from the hat bar where custom pieces take shape to the scents with names like Cadillac Cowboy lingering in the air. It’s part boutique, part workshop, with a distinctly Western edge that somehow fits seamlessly into this coastal town.
At Eva & Quinn, racks are filled with pieces that strike that elusive balance between trend-forward and timeless—crocheted sweaters that feel made for cool coastal evenings, swingy summer dresses that catch the breeze just right, and polished looks that easily transition into elevated gameday wear.
Nearby, Sage Style & Gift offers a softer, more refined take on everyday dressing. Think natural fabrics, understated silhouettes, and pieces that feel quietly luxurious. The shop shares a wall with a cozy coffee spot, and its exposed brick backdrop sets the tone for thoughtful gifting—delicate jewelry, candles with bright notes of grapefruit, and carefully chosen items for life’s meaningful moments, from baby gifts to bridal gatherings.
Where the Past Becomes the Perfect Gift
On Harrison Avenue, Mainstreet Antiques offers a different kind of thrill—the kind that comes from getting a little lost for hours. Spanning an impressive footprint, the shop is packed with everything from nautical pieces and militaria to vinyl records and vintage toys. One moment you’re flipping through crates of albums, the next you’re admiring antique train sets or a collection of crystal that catches the light just so. It’s a place that rewards patience and curiosity in equal measure.
Then there’s The Antique Cottage, a family-run shop that has been part of Panama City’s fabric for more than four decades. Restored wood furniture stands ready for another lifetime of use, alongside Victorian chairs, cherry tables from the 1800s, and small details like embroidered pillows and botanical prints that bring warmth into a home.
Make It, Print It, Take It Home
For those who want to bring home a one-of-a-kind souvenir, Panama City offers a chance to create something with your own hands. At Panama City Hot Glass Studio, molten glass is shaped into something tangible under your guidance. Whether you’re crafting a paperweight or simply watching a live demonstration, there’s something mesmerizing about the process, a reminder of the skill behind every finished piece.
Over in St. Andrews, the Panama City Publishing Museum invites you into craftsmanship built on ink, paper, and persistence. Inside the historic brick building, the presses still hum, echoing a time when local journalism shaped daily life. Visitors can try their hand at letterpress printing, arranging type, and pulling prints in a tactile, hands-on experience. The legacy of founders George and Lillian West lingers here, a testament to storytelling in its most physical form.
A Saturday Tradition
If your visit falls on a weekend, you’ll find Panama City’s community spirit on full display at its Saturday markets in both downtown and St. Andrews. They’re worth a wander for the local flavor alone—just be sure to leave room in your day (and your bags) to circle back to the brick-and-mortar shops that give this place its lasting character.
In Panama City, shopping isn’t just about what you buy—it’s about where you found it, who made it, and the story you carry home along with it.
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| This article is presented in partnership with Destination Panama City, a Modern South Founding Partner.
