South Carolina-inspired boutique comes to St. Armands

Spartina 449 hopes to help the rebuilding process of St. Armands Circle with the opening of its newest clothing shop.

By Dana Kampa
| 10:00 a.m. September 22, 2025

Staff at the newly opened Spartina 449 on St. Armands Circle celebrate the opening of the clothing boutique this month. The brand blends flowery linens and leather goods.

Courtesy image

Sarasota
Business

The newest addition to the shopping scene on St. Armands Circle blends flowery linens and sleek leather goods under a South Carolina-based brand.

Spartina 449 opened a new boutique at 331 John Ringling Boulevard this month, making it the company's 19th store. A 20th is scheduled to open later this year in Naples.

Managers shared their excitement for playing a role in helping rebuild the St. Armands Circle community, which is still recovering from last October's hurricanes.

Some of the most recent reopening celebrations include Lilly Pulitzer's last April and The Beaufort Bonnet Company's last May.

Others are still pending, like the recently announced reopening plans for the Tommy Bahama on the Circle. The new space is set to include retail shopping on the ground floor and restaurant space on the second floor.

CEO Kay Stanley founded Spartina 449 in 2009, drawing inspiration from the character and natural beauty of South Carolina's Daufuskie Island.

Spartina 449's new home is located between Everything But Water and the Daiquiri Deck.

Store manager Jodi Faaborg said, "I have lived here for 37 years, and it has always been my favorite place to shop."

CEO Kay Stanley founded the company in 2009, drawing inspiration from Daufuskie Island's character and natural beauty.

The island, located on the southernmost border of South Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean, is home to white sand beaches, ancient oaks, Spanish moss and historical landmarks.

Stanley was living in a seaside cottage on the island when she started her brand. According to the website, she works to honor "the island's unique heritage, boasting colorful patterns and timeless stories."

Spartina 449's collections of women's clothing include floor-length dresses, blouses, jackets, pajamas, handbags and more.

The new St. Armands shop aims to feature lines from the brand that also fit Longboat Key's breezy yet sophisticated aesthetic. The new shop even includes luggage and travel bags.

"Our Sarasota store is meant to inspire a Lowcountry destination akin to the soul of our business," the website states.

Other Florida locations include The Villages, Dunedin and St. Augustine.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.