Key West The Newspaper

Shopping local goes a long way in Key West during the holiday season, especially when your purchase helps support a museum and its mission while giving you discounts. On Wednesdays throughout the month of December, Key West Art & Historical Society gives back with private members-only shopping parties with refreshments and exclusive 30% discounts for members from 6:00PM-8:00PM at their three museum store locations: December 7 at Fort East Martello Museum, December 14 at Key West Lighthouse, and the final private shopping party on December 21 at the Custom House Museum, held in conjunction with the Society’s Holiday Concert & Bazaar from 5PM to 9PM, open to the public and featuring Key West’s finest artisans, musicians and choirs, and a spectacular holiday light show.

The shopping parties are a way for Key West Art & Historical Society to thank their members for their continued support, and to invite new members to explore their museums and museum store. Members can bring a friend who will also be offered the 30% discount.

“It’s a great way for members to get together and have fun,” says Society Membership Director Kim Livingston. “Plus, who doesn’t like to shop and celebrate the holiday season with food, drinks, and discounts?”

The three museum stores feature a wide selection of fun, functional and fabulous wonders carefully curated to bring you the essence and history of Key West. Each store features items that “compliment or are in conjunction with our various exhibits, artifacts and art,” says Dan Ayers-Price, The Society’s Director of Retail Operations and the Florida Chapter Vice President of the Museum Store Association.

Ayers points out that museum stores tend to carry high-end, unique, culturally significant, or handmade items merchandised so they “continue the story of the museum exhibits.” In Key West, items like the Custom House Museum’s Guy Harvey exhibit companion coffee table book and Flagler Overseas Railroad exhibit related items are popular, as are the Depression era style watercolor prints that “have become increasingly popular as our W.P.A. Gallery has expanded,” he says. Products featuring the iconic architecture of the Key West Lighthouse and the Custom House are always a draw, and Fort East Martello’s famed resident Robert the Doll items are popular, too.

“We carry a broad range of items to fit every budget and are proud to have local artists and authors represented,” says Ayers. “We strive for items that are either made locally, regionally or USA made. Handcrafted, recycled materials and fair trade items are also becoming more and more popular.”

In addition to the members-only parties, the Holiday Bazaar on the 21st will invite the public to browse hundreds of unique gift options at the Custom House Museum Store and porch while enjoying the music, food and libations on and around the island’s architectural crown jewel, with eggnog to lift the frazzled ‘final shopping days’ spirits and Santa on hand for last minute requests and ‘selfie’ photos.

Purchases made at all of their museum stores support Key West Art & Historical Society exhibitions and educational programming. Show your membership card on any day to receive a 20% discount, and a 30% discount during the membership shopping parties. For more information, Membership Coordinator at [email protected] or 305.295.6616 x106. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island.