LOUISE BOLGER | SUN
Brittany Sauveur, daughter of owners Dave and Mary LaBelle,
and her husband, Justin, run Two Scoops Ice Cream Parlor.
As I ride around Anna Maria, I’m always impressed by how much it has stayed the same and also by how much it has changed – two sides of the same island. Keeping with the island charm there are two shops in Anna Maria City that have changed and also stayed the same during the past 20 years, Two Sides of Nature and Two Sides of Nature Too.
The LaBelle family is celebrating its 20th anniversary on the Island. Dave and Mary LaBelle started the original Two Sides of Nature on the north end of the Island in a different location and then moved into the new Bayview Plaza when that became available. Now they have two Two Sides of Nature shops, Two Sides of Nature and Two Sides of Nature Too. In addition, they also own Two Scoops Ice Cream Parlor, also in Bayview Plaza.
Walking into either of the Two Sides of Nature shops is like walking into a flower market. There are tables and shelves overflowing with T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and all kinds of resort wear for men, women and kids. Dave LaBelle does the buying and makes sure the shops are fully stocked with deliveries on a daily basis. Most of the clothing is 100 percent cotton, and many of the items in the shops are made in the United States.
Two Sides also carries some of the most delightful gifts and collectables you will ever see. More than just a place to pickup a souvenir to bring home after a trip, you can find accent lamps, pillows, decorative items, toys and candles, all with an island flair and all unique.
The LaBelle’s attend most trade shows and display their merchandise at many of the Junior Leagues in Florida. They also have recently added the ability to order on line through their website, so if you forgot something after your vacation or after season you can order it on line.
Although Mary and Dave LaBelle would rather work then play golf and tennis they still have a lot of help with their 20 employees as well as their daughter and son-in-law, Brittany and Justin Sauveur, who run Two Scoops Ice Cream Parlor. Brittany is also very involved in both of the Two Sides of Nature shops. In addition, Dave LaBelle would like to thank not only his loyal staff, but his loyal and repeat customers, who come back year after year.
Stop by Two Sides of Nature and Two Sides of Nature Too and wish them a happy anniversary, and while you’re there don’t forget that last minute gift or the one you forgot. As they say at Two Sides, “The Shoppes You Love To Shop” – an Island staple that is both the same and changed.
TWO SIDES OF NATURE& TWO SIDES OF NATURE TOO
Bayview Plaza
101 S. Bay Blvd.
Anna Maria
941-779-2432
941-779-2433
www.twosidesofnature.com
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day
All major credit cards accepted