From Houston High-Rise to Coastal Heart
When Shauna Williams first stepped onto Bolivar Peninsula as a permanent resident, she did not arrive with a grand blueprint or perfectly polished business plan. She arrived with grit, instinct, and a deep love for retail. What has unfolded since then is a story that feels perfectly at home in Crystal Beach. A story of reinvention, resilience, and a woman who found her place on the coast.
Shauna is the owner of Salty Mermaid Boutique, a staple shopping destination that blends beach charm with true boutique style. The shop opened its doors in March of 2021, right in the haze of post-COVID uncertainty. While many businesses hesitated, Shauna did what risk-takers do. She leaned in.
Her journey to Bolivar began far from the shoreline. She lived in a downtown Houston high-rise, traveled the world as a cruise-focused travel agent, and previously opened four boutique locations throughout the city. Retail was not just her career. It was her calling. But when the cruise industry stalled and furlough emails landed in her inbox, she made a bold move. She packed up her life and headed for Crystal Beach, the same place her family vacationed when she was young.
Five months after moving, she launched her first Salty Mermaid space. A modest 500 square feet across from the Eagles. Small, but intentional. That first location quickly proved what she already believed. There was a need for a true boutique experience on the peninsula. One that offered clothing, curated gifts, and items that reminded visitors of their time here without the typical souvenir label.
That small shop grew fast. Within three months, Shauna seized the rare opportunity to move into a 1,500 square foot storefront where Maven’s once stood. She knew commercial spaces do not linger long in Crystal Beach, and she trusted her instincts. Three and a half years later, history repeated itself. Another building sale prompted another move, and today Salty Mermaid thrives in a beautiful 3,000 square foot space that reflects everything she envisioned from the start.
What makes her boutique special is not just the clothing racks or thoughtfully styled displays. It is the experience. Shauna believes people still crave the ability to touch the fabric, try things on, and feel confident in what they buy. She calls it retail therapy. And she curates every piece with care, balancing what locals love with what visitors seek as a reminder of their coastal escape.
Although online sales continue to grow, especially from visitors who discovered the shop on vacation, she remains firmly rooted in the brick and mortar experience. Her store is a place where customers feel welcomed, helped if they want it, and free to browse if they do not.
Beyond retail, Shauna has become a trusted voice in the community. She has served on the Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for over three years, including two as Secretary. She has also been a familiar face at countless community events, often stepping in to speak, host, or emcee when the occasion calls for it.
Her passion for giving back runs deep. Salty Mermaid regularly supports local fundraisers, golf tournaments, and charitable causes. One of her proudest traditions is the biannual fashion show at the Eagles, a lively event that blends style with purpose. These shows not only spotlight her boutique’s inventory but also raise thousands of dollars for local charities, with Shauna ensuring additional contributions go directly back into the community.
Supporting the peninsula goes far beyond sponsorships for her. She sees value in connection. In shaking hands, showing up, and building genuine relationships. She believes Crystal Beach is unique because the people here chose it. They did not just end up on this stretch of sand. They came for a reason. For the freedom, the friendliness, and the feeling that neighbors will always show up when it matters.
When asked what advice she would give to future small business owners considering Bolivar, her answer is simple and sincere. Do your research. Find what is needed. Then go for it. The community, she says, will meet you halfway.
Looking ahead, Shauna is hopeful. She wants growth that preserves identity. A future filled with mom and pop shops instead of generic chains. She embraces progress but cherishes the soul of this place. That balance is exactly what she hopes Crystal Beach maintains.
In her words, Bolivar is not just a great place to live or visit. It is a place to make memories. Even if it never becomes someone’s forever home, she believes everyone should experience it at least once.
For Shauna Williams, Salty Mermaid is more than a boutique. It is a love letter to the coast, a celebration of community, and proof that sometimes the most unexpected turns lead exactly where you were meant to be.
Carlis Cole
December 2, 2025 at 6:51 amThank you Shauna for having made Bolivar your home and jumping right in to Keep Bolivar Beautiful. Your friend, Carlis