It is often said that “when passion meets purpose, one becomes successful.” The saying is true for Angela Pantaleo and her store Sea Turtle Gallery & Gifts.
Located in Islamorada next to Martini’s Fine Wine & Spirits, the gallery is beautifully curated. You can see Pantaleo’s obvious passion for sea turtles, unique gifts and her desire to surprise and delight her customers.
Pantaleo moved to the Keys in 2005. She was introduced to her husband Robert “Pasta’ Pantaleo through a friend while she worked in retail. Originally from Italy but a long-time Florida resident, Pasta was already established as a local artist. His art gallery is located across from Sea Turtle Gallery & Gifts in the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District.
Like many Keys residents, she moved to the Keys for the weather and wanted to be “on an island but not get stuck on an island.” Originally from Oregon, Pantaleo grew up with fond memories of visiting Oahu, Hawaii, with her family through her teenage years. Hawaii is where she first fell in love with sea turtles.
In 2014, they started traveling up to Melbourne to work with the Sea Turtle Preservation Society (STPS), a nonprofit that helps educate the public about sea turtles and also helps the turtles.
Sea turtles became their passion project together. They started to think about the possibility of opening a coastal gift store; she even bought the domain https://seaturtlegalleryandgifts.com, but they hadn’t settled on a location.
In the summer of 2021, they were approached with the location opportunity in Islamorada and decided it was time to open a store. And being that it could be so close to the existing gallery, it made perfect sense.
“Pasta wanted me to be able to have something too. So I get to use my creativity from the retail side of it. It’s been a lot of fun,” she said.
Pantaleo designed the concept and even the shelving. Pasta painted the logo, but she chose the colors and the simplicity of the design inspiration.
The months between July and November were mainly focused on curating a coastal-inspired assortment that includes unique home décor items, gifts, dinner pieces by Kim Rody, jewelry, textiles and baby gifts. There is also merchandise that incorporates Pasta’s art alongside items that have an environmental give-back.
Pantaleo found all of the merchandise online — researching and contacting vendors and artists. The store opened on Nov. 15, 2021.
Some of the items that have a give-back are sea turtle tracking bracelets, where a portion of the proceeds goes to ocean conservancy organizations such as Mote Marine, an independent nonprofit research institute based in Sarasota but with locations in the Keys.
“You can also put some sand from the beach you visit in the bracelet,” she said.
They have a few varieties of sea turtle, and even shark, bracelets with tracking and a give-back program.
The items that have Pasta’s art are Tervis drinkware, face shields, T-shirts, fishing shirts, cutting boards, and of course, art for the wall.
Another very popular line is Anisa Stuart jewelry from Fort Myers. Her handmade jewelry is all coastal-inspired — mermaids, sea turtles, manatees, tarpon and stingrays. Many of the pieces have eyes made from jade. Pantaleo adds, “Each piece is very unique and beautiful.”
Smart Glass is another bestselling jewelry line, made from recycled glass. The pieces are stunning and have a coastal flare with the color choices and overall design.
Sea Turtle Gallery & Gifts offers a wide variety of price points, so there is a special gift for everyone — including a gift for yourself. One of her bestsellers, at a higher price point, but stunning, is the artsy dimensional handmade fish lamps.
“It’s hard to find unique products; I am always looking for new eco-friendly resources and different merchandise from what the other local stores offer,” she said.
Joining Angela Pantaleo at the store was Stella, one of their three dogs who hangs with Pantaleo all day when she is in the store. They have two other dogs — Matti, named after Matecumbe, and Lucy. So, of course, she offers some cute dog items too.
“One thing Pasta and I feel strongly about is ‘no’ is not an option. We always look into it. We will always see what we can do,” she said.
She handles all of Pasta’s reproductions, and they also remaster his artwork for various sizes. “I run both places and go back and forth a lot. We ship a lot globally.” When she’s not in the store, she is very grateful for her wonderful staff — Kelly Hatfield, Tammy Gott and Janette Morrissey.
“We love Islamorada. Pasta and I share everything about this town, from the restaurants to all the other local businesses,” Angela Pantaleo said. “The monthly art walk is also a big part of our lives and the community. At the end of the day — I love what I do.”
Follow on Facebook @seaturtlegallery or seaturtlegalleryandgifts.com.
Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
