Sea You Boutique:
The Lake Worth Beach Gem

After 25 years in education, Jennifer traded lesson plans for curated shelves and opened Sea You Boutique, a coastal-inspired gift shop in Downtown Lake Worth Beach.

What started as a dream years in the making has become a vibrant space filled with local art, unique gifts, and Florida-made treasures, all just a short drive from Palm Beach and Downtown West Palm Beach.

“Taking a risk, giving up security, and embarking on your own path takes real guts,” Jennifer says. “I couldn’t be more proud of myself.”

From the Classroom to Entrepreneurship

For most of her career, Jennifer inspired students as a Technology Teacher and was even nominated for Teacher of the Year. Her approach to education focused on empowering students to create, not just consume.

“The difference with technology in education is how to use it as a creator rather than a consumer,” Sabugo says. “We aren’t just playing a game but creating it.”

After retiring from education, she decided it was time to pursue something she’d always envisioned for herself.

In August 2025, she opened Sea You Boutique, creating a space that reflects her love of design, creativity, and supporting small businesses.

“This store has been a dream of mine for too many years to count,” she says. “I finally made it happen.”

The boutique features an ever-changing collection of home goods, art, jewelry, beach-inspired products, stationery, apothecary items, children’s gifts, and handcrafted pieces from local and Florida-based makers.

This placement creates a nice thematic bridge, her passion for creativity in the classroom naturally leads into creating something of her own through the boutique.

“Stores like these make me want to stop shopping online,” says one customer.

Building Community in Downtown Lake Worth Beach

One of the unexpected joys of opening the boutique has been becoming part of the Downtown Lake Worth Beach community.

“I’ve gotten to know so many of my neighbors, business owners, local politicians, and many, many pets,” Jennifer says.

Beyond retail, Sea You Boutique regularly hosts workshops and creative gatherings, including calligraphy and decoupage classes. These events encourage people to step away from their phones, learn something new, and connect with others in the community.

Check her instagram @seayouboutique for upcoming events.

Supporting Local Artists

Supporting artists has always been a priority for Jennifer.

Sea You Boutique showcases work from local creatives and Florida-based brands, giving shoppers the opportunity to discover products they won’t find in big-box stores. Among the featured artists is Ellen Negley (@negleywatercolors), a Lake Worth Beach watercolorist whose vibrant paintings capture the colorful spirit of South Florida through coastal scenes, tropical landscapes, and waterfront views.

Jennifer is also passionate about making art accessible and fun. The boutique is home to South Florida’s first Mini Print Vending Machine, offering collectible artwork for just $1. Inspired by the nostalgia of childhood vending machines, the concept gives visitors a unique and affordable way to collect original art.

“We’re bringing back that childhood thrill of the quarter machine, but with a sophisticated twist,” Jennifer says.

Each mini print features artwork by South Florida artist Sahily Anais Perez McMillan of Pigmented Press, making them perfect keepsakes for visitors and locals alike.

“I always have my eyes open for new products, interesting art—basically anything beautiful and functional that strikes my eye,” Jennifer says.

“We’re bringing back that childhood thrill of the quarter machine,
but with a sophisticated twist,” Jennifer says.

Partnering With Dreyfoos School of the Arts

Sea You Boutique recently collaborated with students from The Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts to design the store’s window displays.

The partnership gave students hands-on professional experience, community service hours, and a stipend for their work while providing the boutique with one-of-a-kind artistic displays.

“It was a fun, tangible way for us to invest directly in the future of our local arts community,” Jennifer says.

The collaboration was such a success that plans are already in place to work with Dreyfoos students again this fall.

Following Your Dream

For Jennifer, the most rewarding part of owning Sea You Boutique isn’t the inventory or the sales, it’s the people.

Every item in Sea You Boutique tells a story, but perhaps the most inspiring one is Jennifer’s own. After years of dreaming about opening a shop that celebrates art, creativity, and connection, she turned that vision into reality.

As Lake Worth Beach continues to attract new visitors, with exciting developments like the upcoming reopening of the historic Gulfstream Hotel, Jennifer is proud to be part of the community’s vibrant future while staying true to the local character that makes it so special.

“This store has been a dream of mine for too many years to count. I finally made it happen! What’s your dream? Don’t wait . . . do it now!”

It’s a fitting reminder that sometimes the best souvenirs aren’t the ones you take home, they’re the ideas and inspiration you discover along the way.

Sea You Boutique
717 Lake Avenue
Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460

Jessica Pierce

Palm Beach, FL

Jessica Pierce is a writer and content creator for The Palm Beaches, inspired by the coastal culture, natural beauty, and vibrant lifestyle of Palm Beach County. A local for 25 years, she brings an insider’s perspective to the region’s beaches, waterways, and signature Palm Beach style. Guided by her love of photography, nature, the water, and the community she knows by heart, Jessica crafts elevated stories that capture the true spirit of the place she calls home.

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