Hand-Stitched on the River
Long before the name Snappy Turtle was born, it began with the hum of a sewing machine and the vision of Carol Harvey. In the coastal haven of Kennebunkport, Maine, Carol began crafting handmade canvas bags, turning a personal passion into a thriving local business, Carol's Canvas Company
In 1983, the family business evolved. Carol was joined by her daughter, Caroline, and together they officially founded "Snappy Turtle" in a charming spot right on the Kennebunk River. The store was built on hand-painted artwork, grograin ribbons and the birth of a mantra that would define us for decades: Preppy with a Twist.
A Family of Three
The Snappy Turtle story is, at its heart, a family story.
In 1983, soon after the Kennebunkport launch, the family business got a little snappier. Caroline joined her mother, the riverfront doors officially opened, and "Snappy Turtle" came to life. It was a world of hand-painted artwork on clothing, monogramming, and boutique lines you couldn't find anywhere else.
Soon after, Caroline's sister Meredith joined the fold, and we became a trio of women running a business that became a Maine staple. Customers traveled from near and far, making a pilgrimage to our little spot on the water—many of whom are still walking through our doors forty years later.
"Call us obsessed, our closets soon became full of fabulous clothing and our homes filled with vintage Palm Beach style.”
From Maine to Florida
Then came Florida. In the 90s, we brought the Maine coast to Atlantic Avenue. In this "Village by the Sea," the Snappy Turtle aesthetic truly flourished. We fell in love with the Palm Beach style: kurtas, tunics, shell jewelry, and color… a lot of color.
Call us obsessed, our closets soon became full of fabulous clothing. We filled our homes with vintage Palm Beach style: bamboo furniture, rattan, wicker, elephant garden stools, and lattuceware. We became a home for high-end icons like Lilly Pulitzer, MacKenzie-Childs, and , always mixing the curated with our own custom-designed collections. As we grew, our mission remained unchanged: to provide a unique take on what fashion and home decor should and can be.
The Legacy & The Future
Though our stores have evolved with the times, they live on in the memory of Carol Harvey and everything she lived and breathed. We remain committed to the artisanal spirit she started with those first handmade bags. At Snappy Turtle, the 'Twist' is our signature, a celebration of color, a nod to tradition, and an invitation to live a life that is as vivid as our prints.
We keep growing—opening our doors in Stuart, launching a dedicated Homestore in Delray, and eventually, in 2020, introduced our own private love letter: Mary Marshmallow.
Our take on fashion and home decor has always been a little different. Whether we’re designing a custom tunic or sourcing the perfect piece of rattan for your sunroom, we are looking for that specific "Snappy" spark. We believe your environment should be as vivid and full of personality as you are.
Above all else, we owe everything to our customers. From the ones who have been there since day one, to those who have found us along the way, we thank you all for shopping along on our journey.
