By Julie Root
Sandcastle Designs celebrated a big anniversary in August, marking 25 years of increasing success in the Destin area's competitive interior design and retail furniture sales industry.
Jack and Marilyn Hanna founded Sandcastle Designs in 1981 after relocating to Destin from Atlanta. At that time, Jack Hanna, who had a diverse background in sales, marketing and management, and Marilyn Hanna, who had a degree in interior design, saw a tremendous opportunity to utilize their background and skills to serve the people of this small but fast growing community.
"My wife and I started the business together, just the two of us, in a small warehouse," explained Hanna, who is now chairman of the board of Sandcastle Designs. "Our first major project was Beachside I at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, which was the first condominium Sandestin built on the beach," he said. The Hannas worked with some of Sandestin's first homeowners, completing the interior design of more than 30 units at Beachside I.
From that time on, Sandcastle Designs' business exploded with the tremendous amount of new growth and development that has taken place throughout Northwest Florida's Emerald Coast region. According to Hanna, the business grew with the community, and most of the focus was, and still is, at Sandestin. "When we first opned, the majority of all development in the area was taking place at Sandestin, and that's where our focus was, and still remains today, although we have grown into a much larger enterprise with three stores and 24 designers to service the entire region."
Today Sandcastle Designs employs 75 people and is a thriving business, with $12 million in sales last year. Its flagship store, featuring a 20,000 square-foot showroom, is located on Emerald Coast Parkway, just west of Sandestin and Silver Sands Factory Stores. Sandcastle Designs also has a location off Back Beach Road in Panama City Beach and an outlet center, Sandcatle Treasure Chest, located one mile east of the original store.
The Hannas' vision of a complete design and home furnishings center with a talented staff and a friendly and customer driven atmosphere has come true. They recruited the most talented designers to assist both full and part-time residents with the fun, but often challenging, task of planning and coordinating their home's interior design. Tragically, Marilyn Hanna dies in an accident in 2005, and Jack turned the reins of the company over to his daugher, Kaycee Hanna Barrington, who is now president and CEO. The Hanna family and Sandcastle Designs are both recognized and respected by industry peers for their business leadership and innovation.
For more information on Sandcastle Designs, call (850) 654-4259 or visit www.sandcastledesigns.com
- Back to Press - | 
Interior design is a family affair for Sandcastle Designs' executive team and owners Kaycee Hanna Barrington, Chuck Barrington and Jack Hanna. |
Destin