After years of visiting Lake Placid, John Barnes and his wife, Stacey, eventually decided to leave Kissimmee and make Lake Placid their home. They were ready for a change from the rapid growth in the Kissimmee area and had come to appreciate what Lake Placid offered. Once here, they recognized a need for a store like The T Shed. They saw an opportunity to bring more shopping choices to the community and decided to open a business that would offer residents access to popular brands without having to travel out of town. The result: The T Shed.
Located in the Publix shopping center at 490 U.S. 27, the T Shed stocks the brands and products that speak to the casual, laid-back lifestyle that is synonymous with Lake Placid – Hey Dude, Flojos, Guy Harvey, Sun Bum and Burlebo. You can also find Costa and Salt Life sunglasses, as well as EFC and Huk deck boots. The store also carries gift items, offering something for everyone for any occasion or budget.
Today’s shoppers often browse local stores only to purchase the same merchandise online. John and Stacey know that customers can easily compare prices online. That’s why they make a point of pricing merchandise at manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), the same suggested retail price customers find online. Customers can shop locally, see merchandise firsthand, try it on and get help with sizing without paying more than they would online.
The T Shed has also recently become an Amazon returns location, adding another convenient service for Lake Placid residents.
For John and Stacey, the idea behind the business is straightforward: provide merchandise and shopping choices that residents would otherwise have to leave Lake Placid to find. Their store is a reminder that shopping local is about more than supporting a hometown business. It’s also about having access to the products and services you want without having to go somewhere else.
