FORT PIERCE — A taste of cottage living has arrived in downtown Fort Pierce with the opening of Southern Cottage on 2nd, which offers furniture, décor and gifts.
Owner Kristin Burney, who moved to Florida from Nashville eight years ago, said the store grew from her love of saving and restoring “found treasures.” Southern Cottage has been open for about seven weeks.
A breast cancer survivor who has been cancer-free for eight years, Burney began restoring and repainting furniture as a way to keep herself from falling down the rabbit hole of “what-ifs” after her diagnosis.
The retail space is light and airy, and the vibe is definitely inviting. The surprise comes when customers check the price tag on items they might expect to cost much more because of the high-quality craftsmanship.
This discovery has prompted several customers to ask, “Why are prices so low in here?”
For Burney, the answer is simple.
“Because (server) Jan and (head nurse) Jill both deserve to have a nice house and be able to afford the same nice stuff,” she said.
Southern Cottage is more than just a retail store. It is a community-minded endeavor.
The business has partnered with a local nonprofit that helps the underserved in St. Lucie County, and has offered to sponsor a room in the organization’s future family shelter project. Burney said she hopes other businesses will join the effort, too.
A talented decorator who has been artistically inclined all her life, Burney said she did not come from a “silver spoon” background. That experience inspires her commitment to making sure everyday people can have access to finer things.
The store offers a variety of handcrafted furniture, complete living and dining sets, as well as ocean-themed art pieces and locally made jewelry supplied by friends of the owner. Burney said she has many talented people supporting her.
Southern Cottage also carries supplies for painting and restoring furniture, including several lines of specialty self-leveling furniture paint. The selection includes enamel, resin, and chalk mineral paints that adhere smoothly to different types of wood.
The store plans to add art classes in the near future, including Furniture Painting 101, crocheting, watercolor art, and even skin care product classes such as making bath salts.
Burney said the Second Street location appealed to her because she loves historic settings, especially downtown areas. So, when the space previously occupied by Madison Boutique became available, she jumped at the opportunity.
With its blend of affordable craftsmanship, creative workshops, and a commitment to giving back, Southern Cottage is bringing more than home décor to downtown Fort Pierce- it is bringing a sense of community.
For Burney, every restored piece tells a story, and every customer who walks through the door shows that beautiful, quality furnishings do not always have to come with an unattainable price tag.
As the business grows, Southern Cottage is poised to become not only a destination for unique home finds, but also a welcoming gathering place where creativity, generosity, and small-town charm come together.
Southern Cottage on 2nd is at 124 N. 2nd St., Fort Pierce. For information, call 772-306-6224.