Mobile Makers Changing the Way Locals Shop
Across Pensacola, a new kind of mobile, flexible retail is taking shape—designed to meet people where they already are. From vintage trucks and converted trailers to thoughtfully curated pop-up setups, a wave of creative entrepreneurs is redefining how—and where—locals shop.
A growing number of Pensacola makers are embracing the idea of mobile businesses and proving that some of the city’s most exciting shops don’t need a permanent address—just a packed calendar and a loyal following. Blending craftsmanship, storytelling and community connection, these mobile business models offer a more personal alternative to traditional storefronts that’s reshaping the way we think about retail. From fresh-cut flowers to custom jewelry and books, here are three local businesses on wheels offering their own creative take on what a retail shop can be.
Moon Drop Flower Company
If you’ve wandered through a local market lately and spotted a charming little flower truck drawing a steady crowd, chances are you’ve more than likely spotted Moon Drop Flower Company. Owned and operated by Kim Marie Casson, the mobile flower business offers fresh blooms and a create-your-own bouquet experience. Operating from a chic vintage truck, Moon Drop brings a unique hands-on floral experience to markets and neighborhood gathering spots across the community.
Casson is no stranger to the area—or to flowers. Originally from New York, she moved to Pensacola more than 20 years ago with her mother and daughter to be closer to family, closing on their home just days before Hurricane Ivan swept through in 2004. The experience helped shape her professional path, ultimately redirecting her from ornamental horticulture into a long career centered on energy efficiency and sustainability in residential construction.
Still, her original passion never faded. After 20 years in the landscape nursery industry, Moon Drop Flower Company represents a return to her roots.
“My first career and education was in ornamental horticulture,” Casson said. “The flower truck is an opportunity for me to get back in touch with my passion for flowers and sharing that with others.”
Casson officially launched her pop-up flower truck during Valentine’s week in 2025, and it quickly became a local favorite.
What truly sets Moon Drop apart—aside from being completely mobile—is its interactive experience. Unlike traditional flower shops, Moon Drop invites customers to slow down and build their own bouquets stem-by-stem. Individual stems range from $2.50 and $5, making the experience accessible whether someone is grabbing a single bloom or creating a full arrangement.
Casson sources flowers directly from California, Ecuador and from local growers as seasonal availability allows. “I seek out seasonal specific flowers such as ranunculus, anemone, sweet William and tulips in the spring, complementing staple blooms like roses, asters, chrysanthemums and stock,” Casson explained.
The truck itself is as much a conversation starter as the flowers. Casson initially leased a 1994 Suzuki Carry Kei truck from a floral company in Georgia before purchasing a 1995 Daihatsu Hijet. The compact vehicle spent its working life in a Japanese factory and has just 11,000 original miles. Casson is currently customizing it with a fresh paint job and a custom aluminum frame for a canvas canopy, further enhancing its vintage appeal.
Beyond aesthetics, Casson values the emotional exchanges that happen at the truck. “The joy that the truck and flowers bring to patrons is very uplifting for me,” Casson said. “I get to witness exchanges of kindness and generosity, and am often a confidant of a special story or memory evoked by the flowers.”
Casson regularly participates in community markets such as the East Hill Makers Market, Navy Point Triangle Park Market and more. She also hosts Make Your Own Bouquet pop-ups at local hangouts and breweries, including Gary’s Brewery and Biergarten, Coastal County Brewing and Jitterbug Beverage Company. On Sunday mornings, Moon Drop can often be found set up outside the Ruby Slipper on Palafox.
Moon Drop is also available for private events—bringing the same hands-on floral experience to weddings, parties and celebrations. The truck changes locations weekly with regular updates posted on Facebook and Instagram. For updates on where Moon Drop Flower will pop up next, follow Moon Drop Flower Company LLC on Facebook and @moondropflowercompany on Instagram. For more on Moon Drop Flower Company, visit moondropflowercompany.com.
Perfect Day Books
Established to foster inclusiveness and community connection, this indie bookstore on wheels offers a friendly, accessible and adventurous way to discover new books, delivering the bookstore experience right to you.
Perfect Day’s pop-up bookstore can be spotted in various locations throughout the Pensacola area—from parks to local small businesses—promoting screen-free time and bringing a pop-up library experience to local events, including parks and small businesses.
Launched by Hannah Burns in July 2025, the mobile bookstore operates out of a renovated truck and has been popping up around the city since late July 2025.
Perfect Day’s nomadic book truck offers a curated selection of new and used books, comics, stationery and other unique literary-themed experiences.
Perfect Day Books offers more than just a selection of titles. Visitors can expect a carefully curated mix of items like upcycled clothing, metaphysical items, stationery, tarot cards and goods from other small, queer-owned businesses.
Adding to the pop-up’s immersive atmosphere, Burns offers tarot readings from inside the cab of the truck.
Originally from Panama City, Burns moved to Pensacola to earn her English degree from the University of West Florida. Her academic background and passion for literature helped shape the vision behind Perfect Day Books.
While Pensacola boasts a growing and vibrant writing community, Burns saw a noticeable lack of independent bookstores and felt compelled to help fill that gap.
“I hate censorship,” Burns said. “Besides that, I feel that, I feel that there is such a blossoming and beautiful writing community in this area despite the lack of indie bookstores. I knew I wanted to contribute to and help revive the literary scene in Pensacola. In short, I want to make reading cool again.”
The mobile bookstore’s physical design is as intentional as its inventory. The truck renovation was a total do-it-yourself project, which was completed in just six weeks with the help of family.
“Our aesthetics needed to speak our values just as much as our messaging does: cozy, bold, elevated, alternative and authentic,” Burns explained.
Through its mobile format and carefully crafted aesthetic, Perfect Day offers a welcoming space for readers seeking connection, creativity and a little literary rebellion.
Perfect Day maintains an interactive calendar and active social media presence to share pop-up locations and upcoming event details. For more on Perfect Day Books, including updates on upcoming pop-up locations, follow @perfectdaybookstore on Instagram and @perfectdaybooks on TikTok.
Golden Gypsy Jewelry
This Pensacola-based pop up offers custom-fit, affordable fine jewelry with a personal touch. Owned and operated by Alyssa Tobar, the brand focuses on creating meaningful, long lasting pieces of jewelry using 14k gold-filled and sterling silver materials.
Originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, Tobar moved to the Pensacola area with her family in 2016. She embarked on her first entrepreneurial journey with a local pop-up clothing boutique catering to mothers and children, but her focus shifted in 2022, when she began incorporating jewelry into the business.
Later that same year, she fully transitioned her business to Golden Gypsy Jewelry.
“I fell in love with helping others create pieces that were both memorable and timeless, so I shifted my entire business into jewelry,” Tobar said.
Golden Gypsy Jewelry is most known for its permanent jewelry services, though clasps are also available for customers who prefer removable pieces while still enjoying a tailored experience.
Tobar’s jewelry designs are both timeless and sentimental, allowing customers to design pieces that commemorate meaningful moments or relationships.
“I did some research and was immediately drawn to the idea of affordable custom-fit jewelry with quality materials,” Tobar explained. “The idea of using birthstones, initials or any other important elements in a piece that you create and don’t have to worry about tarnishing or the fitting was a no-brainer for me.”
Ranging from a full 10-by-10 foot tent powered by portable generators to intimate in-home party arrangements with minimal equipment, Tobar’s mobile jewelry shop can easily be adapted for any type of event or location, allowing her to pop up in various locations, including partnering businesses, throughout the Pensacola area.
Tobar is also a regular vendor at local markets. With a completely mobile setup, she is also able to bring her services on the road for private events, parties and other special occasions.
Tobar also maintains a permanent studio space inside Redefyne off of East 9 Mile Road, offering customers the accessibility of having a more permanent location to visit. For updates on weekly pop-up locations and to check out Tobar’s work, follow @goldengypsyjewelry on Instagram and visit goldengypsyjewelry.com.
