Finding outdoor furniture that withstands Florida’s humidity, rain and salt air can be challenging. Living by the beach – coupled with a dislike of rusty tables and chairs – inspired St. Augustine’s Michael Wiles to build his own patio and yard furniture.

What started as personal project to create nautical outdoor furniture for his home by the St. Augustine pier quickly turned into a business. Friends and family would come over wanting to buy the pieces Michael had made.

So, he started making “fish chairs”, Adirondack chairs in the shape of fish. Then, people started bringing Michael photos of things they wanted, so he began building all types of pieces. Initially, he worked out of his back yard (no rent is the best!) but his business grew so quickly that to keep up with all of the orders he hired woodworkers and opened his store at 96 South Dixie Highway.