Americana, Nostalgia . . . Island-Style
Photos by Harlan Hambright
Harlan Hambright
Welcome to Little Margaritaville
Jimmy Buffett is currently making headlines for launching a Margaritaville retirement village, however, very few people know that right here on St. Simons Island we have our very own colorful neon-lit “Little Margaritaville" tucked away in a quiet corner. Although open to visitors only by invitation, the impressive display of tropical Americana that you’ll find here is so extensive that it’s hard to believe it’s not decorating a retro diner, restaurant, or bar—or maybe even in a museum collection! Amazingly, this palace of pop culture is the creation of a single man with a nose for nostalgia.
Harlan Hambright
Joey Taylor and his pup, Pappy, surrounded by just a small selection of his memorabilia.
For self-proclaimed Parrothead and avid UGA Bulldog fan Joey Taylor, collecting memorabilia has been a lifelong passion. Looking around this incredible entertaining space complete with kitchen, grill, bar, TVs, fire pit, hot tub, and its own Wurlitzer jukebox, you cannot doubt that passion for one second. Every single inch is covered with colorful signs, stickers, posters, displays, and memorabilia boasting famous brands, teams, and pop icons. Buffett, Budweiser and Bulldogs are joined by Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Jack Daniels, Texaco, Gulf, Sinclair, Quaker State, and Sunbeam, just to name some. Around every corner, you’ll recognize logos and characters that transport you back to your childhood and memories of a kinder, less complicated world. (There’s even a pay phone! Remember those?!) While it has taken Joey about three years to bring Little Margaritaville to its current state, he had an even bigger display at his prior home in Nashville, Georgia. Seeing the treasure trove here, that’s hard to imagine!
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Harlan Hambright
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Harlan Hambright
Joey’s family was in the agricultural business, and once he earned his CDL, Joey made frequent travels off the beaten path. In those travels, he often came across old vintage signs and colorful rustic treasures people had in old farmyards, barns, and garages. He says he started collecting the old signs when he was in his 20s, and now, more than a couple decades later, restored Coca-Cola iceboxes and vending machines, old gasoline pumps, cigarette machines, and so many other fascinating pieces of pop culture nostalgia complement those colorful vintage logos and slogans that hang everywhere. And much like a devoted father, Joey can tell you the stories of just about every piece – where it came from, how much he paid for it, how much similar items are being sold for if you look it up on eBay. Some items have personal connections: the Sinclair Gasoline pump he had restored was taken from his mother’s family’s farm; a more recently acquired Quaker State sign with a rare yellow background reminds him of his father’s 30 years driving a truck and only using Quaker State oil. Others were just good deals and great finds.
Joey’s trusted friend and neighbor Julie Gaskins smiles and shakes her head as he shares some of the stories and he points out various pieces. “It’s his passion, that’s for sure. And it has been for years. He just loves it. And he has a real knack for it!” After all, Joey says, “I’ve been doing it for more than half my life.” And the hunt and collection is only part of the time he spends pursuing this passion, he has also put hours into restoring pieces, building furniture from some of the treasures he finds, and the endless task of polishing it all up. But to Joey, that is all time well-spent. He says, “It’s like therapy. It makes me feel good. Looking at it and working on it takes me back to yesterday.” There’s nothing he likes more than showing off his finds and sharing it with friends during football season parties and summer cookouts. Although, he admits, the collecting might in fact be an addiction. He just can’t stop. He explains, “I had a Harley-Davidson that I just sold a little while ago. It was a 2009. Guess how many miles it had on it. 4,000. Only 4,000, because I’d rather spend my time here working on this than be out on the bike.” Besides, it’s tough to carry home his finds on motorcycle!
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While continuing to add to and enjoy his own collection, Joey has other dreams as well: he’d love to own a diner where he could share his fabulous collection with the public, or to use the skills he’s honed collecting and creating his personal paradise to help someone else do the same in their own home or business. He could easily transform a bar or restaurant with some retro finds and décor, and he’d be the perfect “Margaritaville man-cave” designer and decorator, if you will. For now, he’s happy to be flipping cheeseburgers in paradise at cookouts with his friends right here at home.
When asked if he has a “holy grail,” or single piece of memorabilia that he HAS to have to complete his collection, Joey replied, “A 1957 Chevy car couch. With the rear bumper on there and taillights that work.” There’s one out there in Glynn County that he’s got his eye on, but it’s being happily used by customers right where it is, so he’ll keep checking online sources, auctions, estate sales, and such. The hunt, after all, is part of the fun! And if he DID get that 1957 Chevy car couch, would he stop? “No,” he says with a grin, “It wouldn’t be done. I’ll never be done.” As his eyes drift around the room, you can see him mentally cataloging his pieces and thinking about what else might be out there, and looking for an empty space that could be filled – or maybe that lost shaker of salt.
Harlan Hambright
