Into the Woods
At first light in a Walton County forest, the air hangs damp and cool, heavy with the scent of pine and palmetto. A white-tailed deer slips through the trees. Somewhere overhead, a woodpecker taps. A father kneels in the sand,…
Author: Carrie Honaker
Heavy Layers
I step off the dirt parking lot just off 30A and onto a mosaic path. Native plants brush the walkway’s edges. A massive tree throws dappled shade across the property, where three paintings framed inside wooden pavilion structures form a…
The Buzz About ‘Booch
When Stephen and Summer Kole started brewing kombucha in their kitchen back in 2016, it wasn’t with business plans or branding in mind—it was out of love and curiosity. “We enjoyed drinking it, so we began the journey of self-taught,…
A Healthy Point of View
Nurturing full-body wellness is not a one-size-fits-all approach. And with the constant changes in health and wellness trends, it can be hard to find practices that fit our needs and lifestyles. In this piece, four contributors from Emerald Coast Magazine…
Anchored in Art
Freeport’s streets burst with color and history in the form of massive painted concrete anchors—each landmark telling a story. The Anchored in Freeport project transforms the city’s maritime symbol into a permanent public art installation. For a town shaped by…
Rhythm of the Boroughs
Between Pensacola’s iconic beaches and historic facades lies a city in motion, where every block offers a new layer of discovery. Wander down 12th Avenue and hear the hum of vinyl spinning in a local record shop. Step into a…
Rolling Into The Party
Brandon Smith doesn’t just farm oysters—he brings them straight to the party. Named for Smith’s sons Grayson and Baylen, Grayson Bay Oyster Company and its mobile offshoot, Emerald Coast Oyster, maintain a mission to connect people directly to the briny…
A New Chapter in Housing
For families across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, the dream of homeownership can feel like a distant, impossible goal. Rising costs, scarce land, and unexpected repairs often force hopeful buyers into an endless cycle of renting. Pensacola Habitat for Humanity…
Cool Treats
Coming in from the beach—skin still tacky with sand, feeling sun-kissed and salty—a sweet treat is the perfect capstone to a day spent on the Emerald Coast. But who wants to spend hours in the kitchen baking something when the…
Home Is Where The Weird Is
A fever dream of bright murals welcomes guests. A car covered in bold lines and color segments, reminiscent of Keith Haring’s pop art, is parked in the dining space. Old televisions, lunch boxes, and found treasure populate the walls. It…
Coming to America
After arriving from Europe, South America and other distant places, students who earn degrees at schools along the Emerald Coast often develop a desire to hang around following graduation.
