FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    DECEMBER 1, 1997

                                                                                    CONTACT: JIM CRANT

                                                                                    407-396-9000

SHELL WORLD COMPLETES INTERIOR RENOVATION!

            KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA.  Shell World, Orlando's oldest and largest retailer of sea shells, coral and nautical gifts, has completed a major interior renovation of its 12,000 square foot retail store located at 4757 W. Hwy 192 in Kissimmee.  The new look creates a tropical Caribbean village bustling with colorful huts and vibrant calypso music.  “Visitors to the store will think they have stepped off a cruise ship somewhere in the tropics,” said Steve Crant, Manager for Shell World. 

Upon entering the store, guests will find themselves standing on a 2,000 square foot seaside wharf surrounded by bins full of exotic seashells gathered from around the world.  Just past the wharf area, visitors are welcomed into a tropical village by the Caribbean sounds of steel drums.  Under the cover of coconut palm trees, guests stroll through hundreds of finely crafted nautical and tropical gift items.  In the heart of the village area is a tropical hut where visitors can pick their own pearl right out of an oyster.  Next to the village is a 1,000 square foot pier, which boasts the largest selection of tropical islandwear in Florida.  At the end of the pier is a 600 square foot tiki hut, which will soon be home to a specimen shell museum.

Opened in 1976, Shell World is Orlando's oldest retailers in the tourist corridor.  Shell World carries over 400 varieties of shells in addition to coral jewelry, shell novelties and a large variety of nautical and tropical gifts and decorative items.  Shell World is open 365 days a year.

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