A beloved Panama City Beach souvenir shop is planning a comeback after a recent fire destroyed its longtime location.
Jaws Souvenirs Plans a Fresh Start
Jaws Souvenirs suffered major damage in a fire earlier this month. The shop’s owners now plan to rebuild and reopen the popular Panama City Beach attraction.
Jaws of Memories owns the store. Office manager Diane Ludlow said the Panama City Beach location holds special meaning for the company. It opened in 2004 as its first store in the area.
For more than 20 years, the shop welcomed visitors from across the country. Many families also turned their visits into a yearly tradition.
Ludlow said the company received an outpouring of support after the fire. Former customers shared memories and photos from their visits over the years.
Some families even have photographs spanning multiple generations. Many of those pictures feature the store’s famous shark entrance.
The Iconic Shark Survived the Fire
Although the fire destroyed much of the building, the large shark sculpture at the entrance survived.
The sculpture holds a special place in Panama City Beach history. Artist Bob Duato created the shark as his first sculpture in the area.
Duato said the project also played a role in his decision to move to Panama City Beach. His work can be found at other local attractions, including the killer whale at Big Willy’s Surf and Swim and the ship-shaped exterior of Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
The Jaws shark became more than a store decoration over the years. Families regularly stopped for photos before entering the shop.
Its survival has given the company another reason to look forward to rebuilding.
Ludlow said the shark represents the connection between the store, its customers, and the local community. The familiar entrance could once again welcome visitors when the new location opens.
Jaws Hopes to Return Next Summer
The Jaws team plans to rebuild the Panama City Beach store and hopes to welcome customers again during the 2027 summer season.
The company expects the new location to carry forward the spirit of the original shop. The rebuild also gives the team an opportunity to create a fresh space while preserving a familiar part of the attraction.
The fire left the building heavily damaged, and the site still shows signs of what happened. However, the company remains focused on moving forward.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office continues investigating the cause of the fire. Investigators have not determined what started the blaze, but they do not suspect foul play.
For longtime visitors, the planned reopening offers hope that a familiar Panama City Beach photo stop will return. If the rebuild stays on track, families could once again walk through the famous shark’s mouth next summer.
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