Owners have high hopes for The Mystical Mermaid in new location

The Mystical Mermaid is not swimming away.

The Mystical Mermaid, now in its 21st year, moved Oct. 1 from its familiar location on Spring Street and is now located on A Street across from the ferry landing, in the old Sweet Spot.

The Mystical Mermaid is owned by Rick Thompson and Wendy Beckler. "Our lease was up and we couldn't go into another winter not knowing whether we could pay the rent," Beckler said. In the new location, the shop has one-fourth the space as its original location but one-third the overhead.

The Mystical Mermaid was founded in 1988; Thompson and Beckler bought it in 1995. The shop has long been favored by enchantment and fantasy enthusiasts, but art enthusiasts will find the store worth a visit.

The Mystical Mermaid features art glass, bath items, gifts, home decor, jewelry, and sculpture from around the world.

One of the more remarkable pieces is a glass and bronze sculpture, "Harmony, Sea Otters," by Kitty Cantrell. In the sculpture, a bronze sea otter is suspended in a wave of glass, as if diving to the surface, while another bronze otter rests on the surface.

The Mystical Mermaid's varied selection includes art by Jody Bergsma, Art Deco-style lamps, gold and silver jewelry, and Tuscany crystal decanters.

The Mystical Mermaid is familiar with change. It was forced out of its Spring Street location by the May 2002 fire. When the new building, Friday Harbor Center, was finished, The Mystical Mermaid reopened in the same location but without the alley entrance it formerly had; the alley disappeared in the post-fire redevelopment. Beckler and Thompson said foot traffic declined about 30 percent with the alley's disappearance.

The Mystical Mermaid's number is 378-2617. To visit The Mystical Mermaid's online store, visit www.mysticalmermaid.com

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