Starfish Award Winner: Adventures in Paradise Outfitters

By Kristin Ely

Adventures in Paradise Outfitters are creating a sense of community in Sanabel Island, Florida.

Creating a sense of community

Joshua Stewart admits he had a lot to learn about retail when his parents opened Adventures in Paradise Outfitters in Sanibel Island, Florida, in 2008. But he always understood the importance of supporting the local community, including other businesses like it.

“If you are in a community it’s important to give back because it comes full circle, you want to support them and in return they’ll help support you,” says Stewart, who now owns the store with his wife, Audrey, along with another store in St. Petersburg.

Staying connected

While many folks laid low when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the island, Stewart and his wife decided to bring the community to people virtually. “I rode around the island on my bicycle and would go to local Sanibel businesses and start streaming it on Facebook Live,” says Stewart. “It was a really cool way to bring the island business community together and get to know everybody a little bit more.”

“If Sanibel does well, you are going to do well.” — Joshua Stewart

Stewart also launched “Drinks with Josh” where on Wednesday nights, he would visit a different business and stream it online. The videos were so popular that the SanCap Chamber of Commerce awarded him with the 2020 Citizenship Award.

Family matters

Outfitters to the Outsiders also supports other causes in the community that are all about family, including community housing.“It is important to help these families grow and be more efficient,” he says. Further supporting families means supporting children’s programs on the island, too.

Adventures in Paradise Outfitters helps promote community businesses and supports families and education on Sanibel Island.

Photos: Nick Adams

Outfitters to the Outsiders supports the local schools, including Children’s Education Center of the Islands, a school that focuses on helping young children explore, discover, interact and learn in the natural world.

“New families need a place for that very important stage in their lives, but not only that, it is a really great school because it is nature based so it is in tune with the island itself,” explains Stewart.

Water issues are near and dear to Outfitters to the Outsiders as well, “If you are going to have an area like ours that is really diverse in wildlife, it is important to show it to people to create a connection with it.”