Tucked away inside Via Mizner, one of the most picturesque vias off Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue, is the lovely emporium of Via Coquina, fl owing with one-of-a-kind artisan wares from around the globe. The store has a chic-casual vibe — whitewashed with a Loulaki blue painted back door, you could almost have stumbled into a Mykonos boutique. Shop owner and visionary Cara Polites Ferro is often on hand to highlight the provenance of her exquisite pieces, most hand-selected from her travels. From delicate Turkish jewelry to Egyptian blown-glass candlesticks, hand-painted Greek dinnerware to small-batch candles from Provence, France, it’s the place to buy that rare and special gift for someone or — why not? — yourself!
Polites Ferro, who grew up living in the U.S. and Greece, has always had a penchant for quality craftsmanship and undiscovered artisans. While her store has a strong emphasis on fi nds from Greece, Italy and the Mediterranean more broadly, her collection truly spans the globe. Tensira, a textile company with a collection of sustainable quilted mattresses and pillows, is produced in Guinea using traditional weaving expertise. Trudon candles, which have been manufactured in Normandy since the 1600s, are another favorite fi nd. Via Coquina has also just introduced an exclusive line of jewelry from Chantecler, an Italian manufacturer dating back to the 1940s that produces exquisite, handmade pieces of 18K gold with natural stones, all made in Valenza. And, of course, there is an adorable collection for babies that includes organic cotton rompers, blankets and knitted “octopus friends.” Blink, and you might just be in the Aegean.
Here, Polites Ferro shared with us the inside scoop on her exquisite boutique.
Where did the drive to open this store come from and what sets it apart from other stores on the island?
I had a vision of a tiny boutique like one might stumble upon on the winding walkways of a Greek island. Our off erings are small batch, artisanal, handmade. Everything has a story, and it is these stories that I hope to share with our customers.
You curate all your merchandise. Before COVID-19, how often were you traveling, and when you were abroad, how did you stumble upon so many incredible finds?
Before COVID-19, I traveled regularly. I love to explore and wander into artisanal workshops when I travel. I have met with jewelers in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, glassblowers in Murano and sandal-makers in Greece and Italy. I love seeing how the products are made and speaking with the artisans.
You have a well-stocked, small batch apothecary. What do you look for when bringing in a new perfume or body collection into the fold?
Scent is a big part of the appeal for me. Bastide has a fragrance called Figue Amour, which brings me right back to my childhood in Greece! I am also drawn to natural products. We recently started off ering Tammy Fender’s skincare line, and I have become a die-hard fan — it is truly one of the original plant-based skin care lines.
Wedding, housewarming, newborn gifts — you have everything and at every price point. What are some of your most popular gifts for those with a small or medium budget as well as those with a more generous budget?
Our organic Greek olive oil is the perfect house gift. We wrap it beautifully, and it is always a hit. We also offer gorgeous, undyed yakdown throws, which are perfect to cozy up with.
Tell us a little bit about your various jewelry lines?
We offer an eclectic selection of jewelry. I love evil eye (mati) jewelry. I wear my evil eye pendant every day and have handpicked a collection of mati from Greece and Turkey.
When you are not at the store, where on Palm Beach do you like to spend your time?
I am Mediterranean at heart, and I love the sea. Swimming is my therapy.
You give back a percentage of your store profits to environmental causes — and many of your products are organic or use renewable resources. Why does this make your store unique and why is this so important to do?
As a member of 1% for the Planet, we donate a portion of our sales to vetted nonprofits to help solve important environmental issues. Our products are ethically-crafted and of the highest quality, designed to be treasured for many years. By offering exquisite handmade goods from around the world, we hope to help preserve traditional craft techniques and highlight the artisans who have perfected them. You carry amazing travel guides and travel coff ee table books.
So what’s next on your travel schedule?
Morocco! I have never been and have heard so much about its natural beauty and welcoming culture.
