Магазин сувениров Jaws на пляже Панам-Сити планирует восстановить здание после пожара

Jaws Souvenirs plans to rebuild after fire left it in ruins PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Jaws Souvenirs, a Panama City Beach shop destroyed by a fire earlier this month, plans to rebuild and reopen, according to the company that owns it. Diane Ludlow, office manager for the company, Jaws of Memories, that owns Jaws Souvenirs, said the store was the company’s first location in Panama City Beach, opening in 2004. “Jaws was our first store. We opened in Panama City Beach in 2004, so seeing it burn down to the ground is extremely emotional,” Ludlow said. For more than two decades, the shop has been an attraction for visitors. For some families, stopping at the store became a tradition. “We were overwhelmed with all of the replies and conversations with people who have toured our store throughout our history. How they visited our store like some customers every single year, they have generations of photographs in front of the store with the shark,” Ludlow said. The fire destroyed much of the building, but the iconic shark entrance survived. Bob Duato, the sculpture artist who created the shark, said it was his first sculpture in Panama City Beach and factored into his decision to settle in the area. “That’s the shark that brought me to this town, a long time ago, right there in that parking lot making deals, trying to make deals with me, and being friendly, other business owners saying I should move here,” Duato said. Duato’s work also includes the killer whale at Big Willy’s Surf and Swim and the ship-shaped exterior of Ripley’s Believe It or Not. “Kids and families, moms and dads and all of that, they love it, and I remember I was a kid seeing stuff like that and it was magic,” Duato said. Ludlow said the shark’s survival was significant to the company. “We’re extremely thankful the shark survived. It’s just brought so many people through that mouth and thought of us as a family, a community,” Ludlow said. Ludlow said the team looks forward to the rebuild. “You can still smell the fire. It just goes right through you. And I look forward to the new build. I know that we will move on, God willing, better and just as beautiful,” Ludlow said. The Jaws team said its goal is to reopen next summer season with the shark welcoming families through the doors again. The State Fire Marshal’s Office said the cause of the fire remains undetermined. Investigators said they do not suspect foul play. To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WJHG on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter). Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Email [email protected]. Please include the article’s headline in your message. Keep up with all the biggest headlines on the WJHG News app, and check out what’s happening outside using the WJHG Weather app. Copyright 2026 WJHG. All rights reserved.