23-03-2025
For visitors to Micanopy, The Shop offers customers whimsical gifts and holiday decor
(This story is part of our weekly Hidden Gems feature series as the USA TODAY Network-Florida takes readers around the state to highlight some of our most interesting attractions.)
Years ago, April Lewis and her family would make the trek from South Florida to Micanopy, the small, inviting town sandwiched between Gainesville and Ocala. The young teenager would stroll the historic, tree-lined streets with her parents, marveling at the artistry and warmth and everlasting familiarity in the quaint town.
She followed her family into a local shop and eventually emerged with the first purchase made with her own money — a rustic metal horse weathervane and chime.
However, it's what she couldn't buy that day that still sticks with her, even after she returned to work at the same store decades later.
'I'm 50 years old, and I'm still asking Marlene if I can buy this display case,' Lewis said with a laugh. 'The answer is still no.'
More: WorldAtlas names 8 of the best downtowns in Florida. One is in Alachua County
The horse weathervane is still on display and for sale in the window of The Shop, located at 210 NE Cholokka Blvd. The storefront — and owner Marlene Oberst — are still going strong after 45 years, providing Micanopy with countless memories and treasures.
Relocating from the Washington, D.C., area, Oberst and her husband were struck by the idyllic town located between I-75 and U.S. 441 and knew it would be a destination. They bought a historic building, formerly a doctor's office and pharmacy, and opened an antiques shop.
Now, 45 years later, The Shop is packed with whimsical gifts, interesting holiday decorations, and scores of people of all ages and hometowns. The store will regularly get shoppers from Canada, Mexico, and 'anywhere that's a tank of gas away,' as Oberst puts it. Even singer Roy Orbison would visit The Shop when he lived in Ocala.
'We'll get customers who come in and say they were here 35 or 40 years ago,' she said. 'They'll tell me exactly the piece of furniture they bought, it's amazing. As soon as someone walks in, they'll smile. They're just happy to walk into this environment, and it's wonderful if we can give people that gift even for an hour.'
Regulars will come year after year to look for Joe Spencer's hand-painted cloth dolls, hand-carved Micanopy Santas, Easter decorations, and more. All holidays are represented throughout the store year-round.
'We do our part, but it's the people coming in here that just feed our heart and soul,' Oberst said. 'I know that sounds corny, but that's what makes up life: the people, the connections you make, and the kindness people show you. When they walk by the counter and say this is a beautiful shop, it makes us glow. Forty-five years go by in a blink.'
Oberst, who is eager to celebrate The Shop's 50th anniversary in a few years, has no plans on stopping.
'It gives me so much pleasure,' she said. 'How do you give up something like this? If you have good health, wonderful people on the street, and wonderful customers, you just want to keep going as long as you can. You wake up in the morning, and say, 'Yay! Another day.' '
Where: 210 NE Cholokka Blvd., Micanopy
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
More info:
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: The Shop in Micanopy Florida sells whimsical gifts and holiday decor
