Local Landmark on Cusp of Revival

Lynette Stirling, 50, and husband Matthew, 54, operate a Port Aransas store, Loving Coastal Living, and now may soon revive a landmark familiar to many – the old ‘Shell World’ at 1140 W. Wheeler Ave. in Aransas Pass that’s been closed many years. Discussions with the property owner are ongoing, and the pair last year agreed to buy all the existing inventory which includes thousands of collectible seashells. A visitor from Iowa, “Kenny,” saw Lynette and Matthew at work last week and offered to purchase several items, even though they’re not of_cially open for business. (Aransas Pass Progress)

Once a landmark in Aransas Pass, Shell World at 1140 W. Wheeler Ave. closed for good not long after the devastating impact of Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. Robert Branch ran the business started by his father, and even after he shu_ered the popular tourist a_raction, he would arrange to make stops and unlock its gate to let in an occasional customer here and there who saw his phone number posted out front and inquired about making a purchase. Then, last year, a couple he’s known for some time offered to buy out his remaining inventory, a herculean task given how much Branch had in storage in multiple buildings that stretched down the block. Now, Lyne_e Stirling, 50, and her husband Ma_hew, 54, are inching towards reopening the iconic store, but negotiations continue.

In Port Aransas, Lyne _e and Ma_hew operate Loving Coastal Living, and the store features collectible seashells of varying sizes and shapes. As they rummage through the Shell World properties, the couple is overwhelmed by the extraordinary collection Branch and his family acquired over their tenure as owners. In the next few months, the couple expects to complete the process of sorting and organizing what’s left, and they are doing it all on their own.

“Kenny,” a visitor from Iowa, stopped by Thursday, February 1, unaware Shell World was closed. But like several others who happened by, Lyne_e stopped what she was doing and interacted with visitors, some who had heard of the store’s history, once a popular destination for souvenir and novelty item shoppers who traveled through the city to get to the Port A ferry docks.

Ma_hew pointed to just one of the unusual pieces he and his wife found, a giant clam shell, so immense he said it probably measured 38 inches across and both top and bottom pieces combined probably weighed at least 440 pounds.

Who would buy such an item?

Stirling explained it could be anyone, but likely it was a consumer who wanted a one-of-akind receptacle for use in a high-end waterfall, or some other kind of décor.

Using pool chlorine to clean off dirt and debris, Stirling described the beauty of the shells they display once they are ready for sale once again.

“One man’s junk is another man’s treasure,” said Kenny as he got ready to leave, Lyne _e agreeing to his request to purchase several shells, pieces that he said he would likely use once home for his metal yard art projects.

Editor’s note: To reach Lyne_e and Ma_hew Stirling, call (361) 339-1863.