Fast Buck Freddie's - Fast Buck Freddie'sFast Buck Freddie's has been a Key West institution since the 1970s, when its two owners began the shop to cater to locals who were renovating homes in Key West. The founders lived in the back of the store until business took off, and these days Fast Buck Freddies caters to shoppers looking for the unique, the exquisite, and the most beautiful items for the home, as well as upscale souvenirs. Don't let the name fool you- it's not a discount store, although they have Half Buck Freddie's at another location in town, where they offer damaged or discontinued items at lower prices. The items in FBF are gorgeous and not a a discount, although there are small things like tropical-inspired tiles or monkey -shaped vegetable peelers that anyone can afford. They also sell lots and lots of local-themed cards, postcards, and magnets. There are so many items in here with a flamingo theme it's hard to resist picking one up as a souvenir on a lark. They sell arty wine glasses, beach-themed plates, whimsical place settings, asian-inspired home furnishings and accent pieces, and there's a whole kids section as well. Homeowners will find it hard to not purchase some of the beautiful pieces in here, such as the Vera Bradley table linens, or the pineapple-topped silver serving sets, or appetizer dishes. There is a particularly wonderful collection of napkin rings with bejeweled tropical things on them like lizards or palm trees. There are coffee-table books on beach-house design, asian design, spa design, and the list goes on. There are fancy wind chimes galore, retro tin signs for your beach house wall, and kitchen gadgets that incorporate island themes, too, such as a toucan can opener. There are several different areas in the Fast Buck Freddie's store:
- Women's Apparel
- Men's Apparel
- Kids
- Cards & Stationary
- Candles
They even have art for sale, at reasonable prices.
The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, so the whole experience is delightful you will probably end up spending way too much time in Fast Buck Freddie's, if you're only in Key West for a limited time. This store is a lot of fun, and lots of repeat visitors to Key West make it a point to stop in every time they're in town. The windows are pretty amazing, too, as much a draw as the windows at Macy's in New York at Christmas time. They actually hire real artists to do the windows. Fast Buck Freddie's is located at 500 Duval Street in Key West. They accept credit cards, and you can order their stuff online, too. |
