Like many of Key Biscayne’s unique shops, the Village’s two newest retail stores literally originated from the “mom and pop” definition that embraces Small Business Saturday and the four weeks of holiday shopping that follow.
Take, for example, Helena Chocolate and Art in The Square shopping center. The owners, Fernando Panizo and his wife, Paloma Tolmos, came from Peru, where Fernando’s mother, now 86, founded Helena’s Chocolates in 1975.
Small Business Saturday will be a first for owners Fernando Panizo and his wife, Paloma, who recently opened Helena Chocolate and Art in The Square shopping center. His mother, now 86, founded Helena’s Chocolates in 1975 in Peru.
“Almost impossible that a woman founded a business,” referring to the lifestyle in the ’70s back in Ica, Peru, some three hours by car to the capital of Lima. “Back then, (women) would not even go to the university.”
Based on a century-old glazed, sweet confection called “teja,” Fernando’s mother decided to bathe it in chocolate. What resulted was the “chocoteja,” with dulce de leche, caramel, and either candied fruits or roasted nuts, all covered with gourmet chocolate.
It was so successful that, for 18 consecutive years, American Airlines served it to its first-class passengers.
The shop on Key Biscayne, which supports local artists and those from throughout Latin America by displaying their works, just opened two weeks ago, and sales are predicted to be in the “60-40” range, favoring an impressive line of imported chocolates.
“Very unique, very upscale” is how Fernando best describes his shop. “In Peru, there are 10 stores; now we have one in Key Biscayne, a beautiful, sweet island, and a good community with nice people who appreciate confections of a high level.”
The graduate of Florida International University’s Business School, who turned 55 Wednesday, not only imports his mother’s famous chocolates but also has brought in other top brands, such as Garcia Nevett from Venezuela, Palato from Honduras, Exoticcao from Peru and Tartuflanghe truffles from Italy.
Now, he’s hoping Small Business Saturday will be the launching pad for his success on the island.
“We are looking forward to meeting the community and hope they enjoy our delicious chocolates,” he said.
Not far away is the new Fine Line Furniture and Accessories design studio in Harbor Plaza that complements its much more spacious store near Merrick Park in Coral Gables.
A living room featuring accessories and furniture from Fine Line Furniture and Accessories design studio.
Billed as an upscale home furnishing store, customers will find contemporary, organic, unique items crafted worldwide.
“A lot of our clients are on the Key, and they’re constantly asking us (to set up a shop), so we took the plunge,” said owner Brianna Brown, whose parents, Edward (who has since passed) and Emmy Bodnar, founded the Coral Gables store in 1989. Now, Brianna and her brother, also named Edward, handle most of the major operations, along with designer Mary Azar, who is also part of the family.
Items can be purchased in-store or on the website, and design services and home visits are available.
“Small Business Saturday not only supports small business, but we support local artists and the need to promote them,” Brianna said, noting her stores display and sell the artwork.
Since American Express launched Small Business Saturday in 2010, consumers have reported spending an estimated $184 billion at small businesses on the special day. But, the “shop small” directive includes the entire holiday season.
According to the 2023 American Express Shop Small Impact Study, 55% of small business owners anticipate that Small Business Saturday will significantly contribute to their overall holiday sales this year.
“The majority of our businesses on the island are locally owned, and you can only find them on the Key,” said Tatyana Chiocchetti, Executive Director at the Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce. “We encourage people to shop local.”
Several local stores have been in business for decades, including ultra-holiday popular Toy Town at The Square, now more than 25 years old and operated by Mary Tague.
Toy Town’s Mary Tague with volunteers helping during a gift drive.
Beatrice Arismendi and her sister, Ana Maria, took over The Island Shop in the Key Biscayne Shopping Center (near Winn-Dixie) 13 years ago, but the store’s origins trace back 34 years.
The “one-stop” shop, already with its Christmas-decorated storefront window, sells everything from baby clothing to bridal registry gifts, such as china, silver and crystal, and so much more.
“We get a lot of great community support; it’s an amazing place,” Beatrice said. “And we appreciate everyone who crosses the bridge.”
With steady business year-round, she takes Small Business Saturday in stride, saying, “It always helps.”
Key Pharmacy, also located in the Key Biscayne Shopping Center, has been a staple of the community and visitors for more than 40 years.
Owner Dana Stettin said her parents were responsible for setting up the business, and now she and her son, Maxwell, have carried on the tradition, one that recently achieved J.D. Power’s top rating in customer satisfaction among chain drug store pharmacies for the seventh year in a row.
“It’s not just where people come to fill their prescriptions or buy their Tylenol,” Dana said, referring to her store as a “boutique pharmacy” that sells a wide selection of toys, handbags, fashion jewelry, baby items, an enormous amount of European body products, and likely the island’s largest selection of hair care. “We hunt down products from all over the world.”
Dana Stettin and Maxwell Stettin.
One of the pharmacy’s popular attractions is its beauty bar, where 30-year employee Juana shows customers the latest trends.
“We have a large following of customers who come from all over the world,” Dana said.
This year, for the weekend of Small Business Saturday, the pharmacy (which closes only on Easter and Christmas Day) will offer additional discounts, starting a new tradition.
“We’re trying to adapt to everybody else with all the sales,” she said.
