Above and below, Robin Melvin
For Boca Grande shop owner Robin Melvin,
2020 was a banner year in the span of her
38-year retail career. Having owned one of
Boca Grande’s premier shops, Special Effects,
for many years, Robin started her retail career
at Fugate’s – another Gasparilla Island shop. It
wasn’t long before she was offered her next
opportunity at Rhoda’s Swimwear Shop, which
is an iconic shop that has been in the Boca
Grande/Englewood area for decades.
Robin’s goal is to attempt to make sure each
shopper in her store enjoys their shopping
experience just as much as the item that they
purchased.
“Every time you deliver great service to
a shopper, it has a multiplier effect on your
business,” she explained. “The interaction
represents a broad range of other potential
customers, and they will likely tell people about
the great service you offer.”
Decades of regular Special Effects customers
will attest, “Robin cares.”
72 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE • January/February • 2022
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Can shopping heal the soul?
The origin of the word “therapy” comes from
the Greek language and means “healing.” It
is a mode of treatment that is innovative and
makes you feel better. Judy Damron, owner
at Guiddita’s (which by the way means Judy in
Italian), is an expert when it comes to curating
positive personal outcomes using retail therapy.
For the past 43 years, Judy has not only been
an integral part of the retail community in Boca
Grande, she is an institution in her own right.
“No one knows clothing for any woman better
than Judy,” proclaimed Robin Melvin. Judy
defi nitely knew what she was doing when she
joined forces with Robin and her mother (also
named Judy) when they opened their fi rst store
on Gasparilla Island. Judy began collaborating
with Robin just as she had done previously with
her good friend Rhoda.
/shoptalk.com
