A silly day at the Shell Factory for THAT'S MY WORLD and SIGNS SIGNS.
The old picture postcard below is courtesy of PostCardy (see links below); the rest are mine.
______________________________________________________________________
PostCardy is an avid postcard collector and blogger who showcases a remarkable vintage collection of postcards, with fascinating history and factoids that go along with the cards. I discovered this Blog by linking through Signs Signs .... and I was quite surprised to see this post: Shell Factory . Surprised because the Shell Factory is located less than five miles from where we stay here in Fort Myers. It's still going strong. Admission to this kitschy attraction is still free, although out back there is a petting zoo and "wildlife adventure" for the kids and there is a charge for that.
This kind of 'touristy' attraction isn't really our thing -- we didn't take pictures when we visited the first year we were here -- and hadn't been since. (I couldn't even talk Bill into going again this time.)
But lots of people like to visit and especially like to take visitors -- and, based on the way the friendly staff seems to recognize a lot of customers, it seems as if there are many regular local and snowbird visitors. The restaurant is also quite popular -- it hosts music and dancing several times a week during the season and some people who live here at Upriver are in a band that plays there regularly. Here is a reminder of the iconic sign in the postcard. Not quite as impressive as the original.
Inside, there are all kinds of souvenirs to purchase, but the Shell Factory is redeemed from being exactly the same as all tourist traps everywhere by the fact that it has a lot of ....well...oddities just to gaze at... and there is no pressure to buy the stuff that IS for sale.
But of course if you really need a shell-framed mirror or a pink flamingo, or a slightly tasteless postcard they'd be happy to sell you one. You can also buy ice cream, sandwiches, toys, Florida souvenirs made in China, or, of course, any number of any kind of shell.
I'd rather go to the beach to look at shells, but as far as souvenir shops go (or just because we all need a silly day sometimes) the Shell Factor isn't a bad place to visit.
That would be a fascinating place to wander, though like you I prefer my shells on the beach!
Posted by: Crafty Green Poet | May 20, 2011 at 01:38 AM
Hi Sallie...this post takes me back to the Fifties, when our Canadian roadsides were littered with quirky, bright signs of all shapes and sizes. However, we only stopped at the ones that sold ice dream...LOL!
Posted by: Lynette Killam | May 19, 2011 at 09:33 PM
I think I like the outside more than the inside!
Posted by: Lesley | May 19, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Hi Sallie, This takes me back to 1953.. along the Tamiami Trail was a shell factory next to a sand road which took us south to Marco Island. There was nothing and nobody out there but the Gulf of Mexico and pristine beaches as far as the eyes could see. I'm glad I saw it before the developers spoiled it, Forever!
hugs,
Pam
Posted by: Pam | May 19, 2011 at 03:22 AM
I like this shop reminds me of my childhood. Thanks for sharing!
Signs
Posted by: Manang Kim,usa | May 18, 2011 at 06:03 PM
This does look like a fun place to visit - once. Sometimes we like to visit the obviously tourist traps. They go into our list of "Crazy Things We Have Seen."
Posted by: Margot | May 18, 2011 at 06:01 PM
very cool. that's the kind of store i'd spend a ton of time in.
Posted by: Ewok | May 18, 2011 at 06:01 PM
I was just thinking what EG said...that I bet lots of people stop there as well as having their pictures taken there. So colorful.
Posted by: Genie Robinson | May 18, 2011 at 05:00 PM
I bet that's the sign of a very popular tourist stop. :)
Posted by: EG Wow | May 18, 2011 at 04:02 PM
I want a pink flamingo!!!
What a fun place - so colorful and Kitschy! Love it!!!
Posted by: Clytie | May 18, 2011 at 04:01 PM
That is what you call "high Kitsch" - love it!
Posted by: RedPat | May 18, 2011 at 03:16 PM
At least it's colorful!
Posted by: Inger-M | May 18, 2011 at 03:08 PM
It would be fun to have your picture taken there and I bet a lot of people do.
Posted by: postcardy | May 18, 2011 at 01:37 PM
This kind of 'touristy' attraction (using your words) isn't really my thing either, but this one is too kitsch to be missed, you just have to have a quick look. :-)
Posted by: JM | May 17, 2011 at 01:38 PM
I looked up:
http://www.shellfactory.com/index.htm
It is fascinating reading your details and following them up!
Posted by: Hazel | May 17, 2011 at 11:54 AM
I , like you. often wonder why people frequent these places. The shell collection in the last photo would be the best part for me. Yes a silly day now and then is fun and it is easy for grey nomads to be silly and get away with it.
Posted by: diane | May 17, 2011 at 05:25 AM
This VW Käfer is so cute. LG Tina
Posted by: Goodies for a pleasant life | May 17, 2011 at 01:36 AM
Beautiful world. The postcards are really great.
Posted by: Rajesh | May 16, 2011 at 09:44 PM
Lots of crazy stuff there - but fun to browse through.
Posted by: Lady Fi | May 16, 2011 at 08:42 PM
I would often collecting shells in my childhood. No pressure to buy is a good news. I just love seeing various shaped and colored shells.
Thank you for your visit to my blog and a nice comment. Wisteria likes cooler weather, so I suppose Florida would be difficult for them to survive.
Posted by: Yoko alias stardust | May 16, 2011 at 08:30 PM
Living in Fort Meyers it is certainly part of your world. I agree, though, I'd rather find my shells on the beach.
Posted by: Martha | May 16, 2011 at 08:29 PM
it would be so much fun to visit the shell place!
I love it
Posted by: dianne | May 16, 2011 at 06:00 PM
Well, whatever floats your boat! I think "silly" is a good word!
Posted by: Dimple | May 16, 2011 at 04:41 PM
If I weren't so far away, I'd buy a pink flamingo for my husband. He used to love to take pictures of pelicans but he seems to have switched to flamingos! LOL
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Posted by: Kay Davies | May 16, 2011 at 04:04 PM
Gotta love crazy kitsch! I'm partial to roadside statues myself, the bigger the better. I'm a little ashamed of this, and a little not!
Posted by: Clair Z. | May 16, 2011 at 02:46 PM
I would likely go there if I was visiting, mostly because it is free and a long way to return if I later heard good things about it. but I suspect I would be tired of the kitsch before I saw half of it!
Posted by: VioletSky | May 16, 2011 at 02:44 PM
What a fun place! And so much to photograph! Love all your photos as always, Sallie! Hope your week is off to a great start! Enjoy!
Sylvia
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | May 16, 2011 at 02:07 PM
great place to capture photos!!! Have a great weekdays ahead!!! Hoping you can visit @ my little corner.
Posted by: pretty life online | May 16, 2011 at 01:32 PM
The painted VW is cute, I could not imagine if this is working, plying around the neighborhood.
I used to collect postcards (international), but I have since lost my collection.
Posted by: Ebie | May 16, 2011 at 01:18 PM
they used to have a place here called shell world that was just like this. They had huge shells that I would put up to my ear and hear the ocean like Bugs Bunny did. It really does work.
Posted by: frank | May 16, 2011 at 01:11 PM
I can see that would be a great place for photos ops! I am really liking that VERY colorful VW!!!
Posted by: carolyn Ford | May 16, 2011 at 12:59 PM