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    Key West Sponge Market

    3.8 (17 reviews)
    InexpensiveGift Shops

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    Glenn G.

    Picture in your mind the MOST TOURISTY gift shop ever... if you did it correctly, you are picturing the Key West Sponge Market. Located in the heart of the area that is flooded with tourists... most people would think of Duval but you're not even close. Mallory Square seems to gather ALL tourists to watch the sunset and yeah, it's an amazing sunset and well worth the view... before and after though, the area adjacent to Mallory Square is bustling with all sorts of "what to do" and "what to see" (all in the vicinity where Front Street meets Whitehead Street). There are museums (Mel Fisher Maritime Museum and the Shipwreck Museum), to the Audubon House, to the Key West Aquarium, to Trolley Tours that have stops here to come and go, to the Waterfront Playhouse and countless bars, restaurants and shops.... And right there in the middle of all this action is the Key West Sponge Market. First thoughts of course should be, "if I need a sponge, this must be the place" and you'd be correct too... What tourists don't know, is way back in day, Sponging was a major industry here in Key West until the waters were depleted and the Spanish-American War scared the sponge boats (called hook boats) out of the area (to Tarpon Springs). BUT back to the Key West Sponge Market... they offer so much more (IF YOUR A TOURIST). You think what "stuff" can I bring home to remember my trip to Key West or a gift to rub it in someones that that you came here and left your friend's behind. Need a beer coozie, or a metal iguana to hang on an exterior wall, or salt/pepper shakers of a chubby couple in island attire, key chains, bottle openers, coconuts carved into caribbean themed characters, t-shirt sporting the southernmost point buoy, posters, maritime maps, shot glasses.... And lots of stuff with roosters... yes, we have tons of wild chickens/roosters all over the island and it makes sense that rooster souvenirs are front and center.... what I don't get is the flamingos here. Last visit had so many pink flamingo knick knacks; and yet, I have never seen a flamingo in Key West... never even heard of one here before. BASICALLY, if you need a souvenir, THIS IS YOUR PLACE !

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    5 years ago

    Just a place where dudes can rock. Key Wester style. Best place to find flamingo stuff.

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    Ask the Community - Key West Sponge Market

    Review Highlights - Key West Sponge Market

    The sponge man in front of the store is great for taking pictures with.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Bésame Mucho

    Bésame Mucho

    4.6(54 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$$

    Beautiful store. Owner is wonderful helpful and pleasure to deal with…read more Purchased many items from here when I visit Key West. Very unique Christmas ornaments. A must visit!

    By far best boutique in Key West. Or, the world, TBH. This place is filled with treasures, and…read moretruly one of the best little shops I've ever visited--curated like a museum, and with high quality items that also evoke museum vibes. There's a European air and flair in the place, with items I've never come across in other shops, and I love that! There were lots of scented items, and I love how she had glass cloches over the individual scents, since I am scent-sensitive. I was afraid when I walked in I might not be able to take it, but it wasn't overpowering. There were so many home and gift items in here, I could have easily dropped 10x the amount of money I did If I'd brought a bigger suitcase. From the delicate new and vintage jewelry, to the frameable greeting cards, to high end teas (daily sample available), and cotton frocks sprinkled throughout, I felt like I could have spent two hours in this small shop and still not have seen everything. Yet, it doesn't feel overwhelming, because the merchandising skills utilized here just made it a pleasure to wander this way and that, admiring all the little touches. Honestly, it is an exemplary shop. I'd rank this in the top 5 shops I've ever visited anywhere, and I wander into a LOT of shops! This is a must if you are in Key West. You can get a cocktail anywhere, but these elegant displays and thoughtfully curated products are not to be missed!

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    Bésame Mucho - Cosmetics and perfume from Florence, Italy

    Cosmetics and perfume from Florence, Italy

    Bésame Mucho
    Bésame Mucho - Magic hour at Besame Mucho!

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    Magic hour at Besame Mucho!

    90 Miles To Cuba

    90 Miles To Cuba

    3.8(11 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $

    We get to 90 Miles to Cuba every time we visit Key West, typically every year. The front of this…read moresmall store is loaded with collectible curios and vintage souvenirs with a local flavor, vintage costume jewelry and items like antique commercial signs and fishing lures. Also, owner takes in pre-embargo Cuba souvenirs (can't guarantee that it's *all* pre-embargo, though). Sometimes you can find interesting little bargains (not antique or rare) for under $5.00. For example, I bought a vintage Key West window decal for my Jeep. A box full was for sale at $2.00 each. The friendly yet reserved owner seems to know his stuff. He has a shop cat. The back of the store is worth a once-over, and the items towards the back tend to take up more square footage. Most of the best of the inventory, and the profit center, seems to be within 15 feet or so of the front door. My only difficulty is predicting when the store will be open. Store tends to be open for more and longer hours later in the week. Call first.

    This business was a few blocks off Duval Street with some of the coolest merch. The small building…read morelooked like an old fishing shack with withered wood framing barely able to stand on its own. Loved browsing all the nostalic stuff like black & white Key West fishing prints and retro albums. So many items at under $10.00 for unique gifts or a side table conversation piece. The funniest part of my visit was the elderly woman (not sure if owner but too scared to ask) sitting behind the cash counter with zero facial expression.

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    90 Miles To Cuba
    90 Miles To Cuba
    90 Miles To Cuba

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    Key West Sponge Market - giftshops - Updated September 2026

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