No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to present our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
Our Neighbor of the Week is Jennifer Naset, who manages her family’s Birkenstock store in Marathon. When she’s not in the store she enjoys fixing up her house and spending time with her husband and son. She loves getting ice cream, playing with her fur babies and watching the fabulous sunsets of the Florida Keys.
JENNIFER NASET
Birkenstock of Old Town
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? I was originally a snowbird. My family came down every winter since I was young. My parents retired and came down full-time in the ’90s and have been living the amazing Keys life ever since. My parents got bored and bought a Birkenstock store, which I now run and I couldn’t imagine living or working anywhere else.
If you could wear one pair of shoes for the rest of your life, what would it be? Obviously Birkenstocks are my absolute favorite. I have been wearing them for 30-plus years and can’t imagine going a day without them.
If you had a time machine, would you travel to the future or to the past and why? Back to the ’90s for sure. Times were simpler, people conversed and I didn’t have as many responsibilities (teenager years). The music was awesome then too!
What’s the most embarrassing moment of your life? You’d think someone who sells sandals wouldn’t trip over their own feet, but I’ve definitely stumbled walking across my own sales floor more than once. My customers were kind enough to pretend they didn’t notice.
If you won the lottery, what would you spend the money on? Of course, travel and see the sights of the world, but I will always come back home.
If you were a foot, which part would you be and why? Which part depicts you the most? I’d be the arch of the foot. It quietly supports everything, absorbs pressure and keeps you balanced.
Describe your most bizarre life experience thus far. Making it to my 40s.
What part of the human face is your favorite and why? The smile. When you smile at someone it has the ability to make them smile back and change their whole mood.
What are three essential items you pack in your suitcase when going on vacation? Birkenstocks, eyeglasses and comfy PJs.
Which three famous people would you invite to a dinner party and why? I would much rather have my friends and family with me at dinner than anyone famous. I would first invite Kari May. She has been my friend since elementary school. She moved to Branson, Missouri and I miss her like crazy. I would also invite Samantha, who’s been my friend since the day we met almost 20 years ago. She moved to Edgewater, Maryland and I miss her too. I would also invite my brother Jeff Naset, because he lives in Fort Collins, Colorado and he doesn’t get to visit as often as we’d like.
Describe your ultimate day. The ultimate would be going on a safari with elephants and lions with all my friends and family there too.
Know someone who would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?” Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
