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🏗️ Destin approved a new Alvin’s Island store on U.S. 98 after delays from insurance and permitting.
🪧 Council members raised concerns over signage limits and window displays to ensure compliance with city code.
🏖️ The beachwear retailer’s return comes more than three years after its original store was destroyed by fire.
DESTIN — The Destin City Council unanimously approved a significant development order on July 7 for a new Alvin’s Island retail store on U.S. Highway 98, marking the formal return of the popular beachwear chain more than three years after a fire destroyed its former location.
The new 12,600-square-foot store will replace the original 22,000-square-foot building at 1073 East Highway 98, which was destroyed by fire in 2021.
The development, located in the Town Center Mixed Use Zoning District, had previously been approved; however, permitting delays and a stalled insurance settlement led to the project being restarted.
Destin Principal Planner Daniel Butler provided the staff report and confirmed the city’s planning department recommended approval.
“The project has undergone a technical review, committee review and gathered approvals from all applicable entities and staff,” said Butler.
Robert Carroll, representing McNeil Carroll Engineering and speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the team was eager to move forward after years of delays.
While the council expressed general support, much of the discussion focused on proposed signage and compliance with city code.
Councilwoman Sandy Trammell raised concerns about window displays and asked for clarification.
“One of the things that we have talked about, and other councils have talked about this, is the other shops in town that do the same thing Alvin’s Island would be doing — advertising in those windows with big old pictures and all of that kind of stuff,” Trammell said. “Is that your plan, or is it just open windows into your store?”
Carroll explained the displays would feature themed decor.
“These are… like when you walk down the street and you’ve got stage sets where you’ve got beach scenes and mannequins and those kinds of things set up in the windows,” he said. “It’s a two and a half foot deep display chamber… with people with umbrellas and people with bathing suit outfits and stuff like that.”
Councilman Jim Bagby zeroed in on the use of electronic reader boards and the total amount of signage. He noted the store would feature two electronic signs in addition to the central “Alvin’s Island” logo and signage above multiple windows.
“They’ve got two big reader boards. They’ve got the Alvin’s Islan signage above the windows,” Bagby said. “Which, to me, comes pretty close to the 15% already. So when you do all these calculations, I want them to know exactly how much square footage of signage in those windows can occur.”
However, Butler confirmed that, according to city code, signage cannot exceed 15% of the south-facing building façade. However, he noted that the exact square footage would not be calculated until the signage permit is submitted.
“If there’s anything that is placed within the windows that was not approved at a later date, then we can issue a warning code citation,” Butler added.
Bagby pushed for clearer restrictions to ensure the store didn’t exceed limits.
“I just want it in the approval that your window signage is limited to how many ever square feet it is,” he said. “Because I think we’re over 150 square feet just with Alvin’s Island, the two reader boards, and the signage above.”
City Attorney Kimberly Kopp confirmed that signage would be reviewed separately through the permitting process.
Council members also briefly discussed pedestrian access and the existing wooden stairs connecting the property to the neighborhood behind it.
Mayor Bobby Wagner noted the steps remain open.
Before the vote, Councilwoman Trammell expressed appreciation.
“Just wanted to say, welcome back,” she said. “Glad you came back. It has been — I thought you were gone forever.”
The council approved the development order unanimously, clearing the way for construction to begin.
Pro Communi Bono
