If you want Southern resort clothing with a designer label on it, Pearl is the Centre Street boutique built for that. Its owner, Lori, already ran Lori + Lulu downtown when she saw what her site calls a void in the local market for timeless Southern resort fashion and heritage luxury brands. Pearl was her answer, a shop meant to blend refined Southern style with luxury resortwear.
Lori was born in Jacksonville and grew up between Ocean City, the Washington area and Seattle. Before Fernandina Beach, she worked in merchandising and store leadership for The Body Shops, then expanded United Colors of Benetton stores across the Southeast with her husband, John. The two still run the family of boutiques together.
Pearl publishes its designer list, close to 30 names long. A sample:
- Lilly Pulitzer, Trina Turk and Gretchen Scott
- Joseph Ribkoff, Elliott Lauren and Susan Shaw
- CK Bradley, Emily McCarthy and Crosby by Mollie Burch
- Mavi Denim, Melissa Nepton and Vilagallo
Its Facebook page adds lingerie and swimsuits to the apparel and accessories, which helps if you arrived without a bathing suit that fits the trip.
The shop is at 503-B Centre Street, in the 500 block on the inland side of the historic district, a few blocks up Centre from the marina. For a younger, more contemporary mix with denim and a girls' section, Teak & Ivy is two blocks back toward the river. Pearl now has its own site at pearlboutique.style with hours, contact details and a sign-up list for new arrivals, or you can call (904) 844-2912.