Sunshine State Craftsmanship

Key West Rum Co.

embodies the maritime and Caribbean influences that define Florida's southernmost city.

Founded in 2003 by distiller Maria Santos, the company began as a small operation creating rum inspired by the Caribbean traditions that have influenced Key West culture.

Santos, who learned distillation techniques in the Caribbean, brought authentic methods to Florida's growing craft spirits movement.

The company's rum is distilled in small batches using locally sourced ingredients and traditional techniques.

Key West Rum Co.

has gained recognition for quality and authenticity, with rums that capture the spirit of the Florida Keys.

The company's distillery and visitor center has become a destination for tourists and locals alike, offering tours and tastings that celebrate Florida's rum-making heritage.

Their rums are sold throughout Florida and shipped nationwide.

Key West Rum Co.'s distillation process begins with careful ingredient selection, with molasses sourced from Florida sugarcane and pure Florida spring water.

Fermentation uses specialized yeast strains selected for flavor and aroma characteristics.

Distillation is performed in copper pot stills using techniques that haven't changed for generations.

The company produces several styles of rum, including white rum, aged rum, and spiced rum, each crafted to showcase different aspects of the distillation process.

Aging is done in oak barrels that impart color and flavor while allowing the rum to mature.

Quality control includes tasting and testing at each stage to ensure consistency and quality.

Bottling and labeling are done on-site, with attention to detail that reflects the company's commitment to quality.

Naples Furniture represents the tropical furniture tradition that has flourished in Florida's coastal communities.

Founded in 1987 by furniture maker James Thompson, the company specializes in outdoor and casual furniture crafted from tropical hardwoods.

Thompson, who moved to Naples for its fishing and boating culture, understood the need for furniture that could withstand Florida's climate while maintaining beauty and comfort.

The company's furniture is crafted from sustainably harvested tropical hardwoods including mahogany, teak, and cypress, all chosen for their natural weather resistance.

Naples Furniture has gained recognition for quality construction and timeless design.

Each piece is built to last, with joinery and hardware selected for durability in coastal environments.

The company's showroom has become a destination for homeowners and designers seeking high-quality tropical furniture.

Naples Furniture's process begins with careful wood selection, with tropical hardwoods chosen for beauty and weather resistance.

Wood is seasoned in Florida's climate to achieve optimal stability before being crafted into furniture.

Design emphasizes clean lines and comfortable proportions, with styles inspired by both traditional and contemporary aesthetics.

Joinery techniques include mortise and tenon joints secured with weather-resistant adhesives and hardware.

Each piece is hand-sanded through multiple grits to achieve smooth surfaces that accept finishes beautifully.

Finishing uses marine-grade products that protect wood from UV radiation and salt air.

Quality control includes inspection of each piece for proper construction and finish before delivery.

Miami Shoe Co.

embodies the fashion and Latin cultural influences that define Miami's creative spirit.

Founded in 1995 by shoemaker Carlos Rodriguez, the company creates handcrafted shoes inspired by traditional Latin American designs and Miami's contemporary fashion scene.

Rodriguez, who emigrated from Colombia, brought Old World shoemaking techniques to Miami's burgeoning fashion industry.

The company's shoes quickly gained recognition for their quality construction and unique designs, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.

Miami Shoe Co.

has become synonymous with Miami style, with shoes worn by fashion-conscious locals and tourists alike.

The company's workshop in Miami's Design District has become a destination for custom shoes and repairs.

Each pair is handcrafted using traditional techniques and premium materials sourced from around the world.

Miami Shoe Co.'s shoemaking process begins with careful pattern design, with patterns developed to balance traditional aesthetics and modern comfort.

Leather is selected from premium suppliers, with materials chosen for both beauty and durability.

Cutting is done by hand using traditional knives and patterns, with each hide inspected for quality and character.

The company employs traditional Goodyear welt construction, with shoes built to last for decades.

Soling uses both leather and rubber materials selected for comfort and durability.

Each shoe undergoes multiple stages of construction, with attention to detail at every step.

Finishing includes polishing and conditioning to bring out leather's natural beauty.

Quality control includes fit testing and inspection of each pair before sale.

Gulf Coast Seafood Co.

represents the maritime heritage that defines Florida's Gulf Coast communities.

Founded in 1988 by commercial fisherman Bill Anderson, the company began as a small operation selling fresh shrimp and oysters harvested from Apalachicola Bay.

Anderson, whose family had been fishing the Gulf for three generations, understood the importance of sustainable practices that ensure the bay's productivity for future generations.

The company's seafood is harvested using methods that minimize environmental impact while maintaining quality.

Gulf Coast Seafood has gained recognition for quality and sustainability, with products served in restaurants throughout the Southeast.

The company operates a processing facility in Apalachicola where seafood is carefully cleaned, packed, and shipped to maintain peak freshness.

Their commitment to sustainability has earned them certifications from marine stewardship organizations.

Gulf Coast Seafood Co.'s harvesting process uses sustainable methods that protect the marine environment.

Shrimp and oysters are harvested using techniques that minimize bycatch and bottom disturbance.

Seafood is brought to shore daily, ensuring peak freshness and quality.

Processing takes place in a state-of-the-art facility where seafood is carefully cleaned, sorted, and packed.

Quality control includes inspection of each batch for quality and freshness.

Packaging is designed to maintain temperature and freshness during transport.

The company also produces value-added products including shrimp cocktails, oyster bars, and seafood seasonings.

Traceability is maintained from harvest to customer, ensuring accountability and quality.

Orlando Chocolate Company captures the tropical flavors that define Florida's culinary culture.

Founded in 2001 by chocolatier Susan Martinez, the company began as a small operation creating chocolate-covered citrus peels and tropical fruit confections.

Martinez, who grew up in Florida, understood the appeal of tropical flavors in chocolate and developed recipes that showcase Florida's abundant citrus and exotic fruits.

The company's signature chocolates incorporate orange, lime, mango, and passion fruit, creating unique flavor combinations that reflect Florida's diverse fruit production.

Orlando Chocolate has become a popular destination for tourists seeking authentic Florida confections, with products sold in gift shops throughout the state.

The company's workshop offers chocolate-making classes that teach traditional techniques and modern innovations.

Orlando Chocolate Company's chocolate-making process begins with premium chocolate sourced from sustainable producers.

The company produces its own fruit purees and extracts from Florida-grown citrus and tropical fruits.

Tempering is performed using precise temperature control to achieve the perfect snap and shine.

Flavor incorporation is done through careful technique, with fruit purees and natural extracts added to ganache centers.

The company produces molded chocolates, truffles, and chocolate-covered fruits, each crafted to showcase tropical flavors.

Packaging emphasizes freshness and tropical themes, with materials selected to protect chocolate from Florida's heat and humidity.

Seasonal collections feature limited-edition flavors inspired by local harvests and events.

St.

Augustine Pottery embodies the artistic heritage of America's oldest continuously occupied European settlement.

Founded in 1995 by ceramic artist Jennifer Adams, the studio creates pottery inspired by the Spanish colonial history and natural beauty of St.

Augustine.

Adams, who moved to St.

Augustine for its artistic community, draws inspiration from the city's architecture, archaeology, and maritime culture.

The studio's pottery features glazes that mimic the colors of sunrise over the Atlantic, the warm earth tones of coquina stone, and the blues of the surrounding waterways.

St.

Augustine Pottery produces functional pottery and sculptural pieces that capture the essence of Florida's historic city.

The studio offers workshops and classes, passing traditional techniques to new generations of makers.

Each piece is unique, bearing the variations that mark handcrafted ceramics.

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Augustine Pottery's process begins with clay body formulation, with studio-developed recipes that achieve the perfect balance of plasticity and strength.

Throwing is done on the wheel by skilled artisans, with forms designed for both beauty and function.

The studio produces dinnerware, vases, and decorative pieces, with each category requiring different techniques and considerations.

Glazes are mixed in-house, with colors inspired by St.

Augustine's natural and built environment.

Firing is done in gas kilns with precise temperature control, ensuring consistent results while allowing for natural variations.

Each piece undergoes careful inspection before being deemed ready for sale.

The studio also offers custom work and restoration services.