Luray831

While not in the Miami area, Trenton, FL, about 30 miles west of Gainesville, is an extraordinary treat and
well worth your time. In Trenton, you will find the Suwannee Valley Quilt Shop at home in an old Coca Cola bottling plant, and next door in an old train depot, the FL Quilt Museum . At the quilt shop, the selection of fabrics is fabulous, including thousands of batiks (my favorite), and the rooms are all filled with notions, books, student works, competition winners, and a darling little cafe where you can enjoy a sandwich, soups, salads, or scrumptious desserts. If that is not your preference, try the old soda shop. And while there, wander outside through the garden to the ice house next door. This old structure holds a family of businesses including embroidery, long arm quilting, a hair salon, and antiques. Don't leave before checking out the huge quilt on the back wall of the antique shop. It is incredibly inspiring, whimsical, full of life and movement, and beautiful beyond any words I could imagine. Plan on at least a day of your time. You will not be disappointed in the shop or the fabulous staff. No question is met with disdain from anyone in this complex.

Next, if you follow the coastline north along the Gulf side of Florida, Pensacola is home to A&E Pharmacy. You will never visit a more unique business that will bring back images of a "general store". Costume jewelry in a motorized glass case with rotating shelves: check. Fill your prescriptions: check. Get your Mardi Gras masks and beads: check. A tiara for a bridal veil: check. Small appliances: check. Spray perfume: check. An adjacent warehouse sized room with a stupendously grand selection of quilting fabrics, patterns, notions, et cetera: check. Unbelievable: check. Happily helpful staff: check. And hanging from the ceiling are quilts, quilts, quilts! After all, Pensacola is home to several guilds. This is another Florida quilting experience well worth your time.

Enjoy Florida, our beautiful state and my home!