Shell Factory

Visited the Shell Factory today prior to its imminent closure. The Shell Factory has been in business for 86 years and that is coming to an end. Next weekend is the last weekend it is open and then it will close permanently and be razed for new development. Just had to visit another piece of Florida history before it was gone for good. There was a huge crowd shopping the last minute sales of the merchandise and I’m sure next weekend, the last one it will be packed as well. I’d recommend getting there early as there were extremely long lines to check out along with there being limited people allowed to enter due to the building being at capacity. I will produce a short video on my YouTube channel from my visit for people to see that won’t be able to make it there before they close. Video will be under “Unique Explores” on YouTube within the next couple of weeks.

Today Shell Factory closes its doors forever. Probably a very good thing as it has fallen into serious disrepair over the years. I went to pay respect last weekend but the live to get into the gift shop was super long and I didn’t feel like standing in the hot sun. The place was a dump. Is you remember it being something else, hold onto those memories because that’s not what it’s like now. Probably got to costly to up keep for the owner especially if business wasn’t what it used to be.

Old Florida feel! Many animals in the nature preserve. Well cared for. Working on updates to the area. Nice bar and grill on property. GIANT gift and shell store. Good place for kids.

4 stars for effort. It's more like a 3. Large tourist trap style multi business. They do offer things to do like a mini zoo and putt-putt golf. The most popular attraction is the bar and grill. They do have a ton of shells and like products. Large selection of t-shirts. Really good fudge shop. Interesting holiday store with mini figurines and buildings. Small video game arcade with ticket prizes. The biggest issue is how little money is being put back into the place. It's looking very rundown, and no it's not just from a hurricane a year ago... No it's not because of the pandemic. The place looks like it's slowly been deteriorating for over a decade. It is more unique than a tourist trap and unlike anything else in the entire area. It is definitely worth visiting. Hopefully someday they'll bring it back to its former glory.

Family tradition. Love the kitschy -ness of the shell factory. The animal park is interesting. The animals and their living environments are well maintained; you can see there was storm damage but they've done a great job rebuilding. Always fun to feed the animals, and follow up with a game of miniature golf. The museum was new, and appreciated the telling of history. Where else can you feed a goat and the turtles, buy a real but dried out puff fish, get pizza and ice scream to eat, and a sea shell necklace???

Old Florida tourist trap that has kept the old school vibe. The Shell Factory is iconic to the area. It has taken some recent hits with the pandemic and hurricane, but it has a history of always bouncing back. It takes a few hours just to get through the store and the zoo area. There are a couple places to get food and several activities to do with kids. Great place full of nostalgia.

The place is in need of lots of repairs. Activities are very limited. I was expecting to do more at the park, but there wasn’t much to do because a lot is closed up due to needs of repairs. The nature trail is more like a very small zoo. There is plenty parking + families with small children.

I wish we had this in jersey! This place was amazing cant wait to come back! Staff was super friendly and helpful and the place itself was so interesting and beautiful.