Modica Market — Local services in Santa Rosa Beach

My first and last visit here. I bought some items alone as my 19 year old son waited in car. Loved the place and remember more I wanted so I asked my son to come see the place. He had small backpack on. We never noticed the sign stating no backpacks. We both wore sunglasses. Hard to see and we are thinking of what we are going to purchase! I picked something at front and asked cashier if I could leave it with her as I had more shopping and still had plastic bag of stuff from first purchase in my hands. My son and I went to the back where I chose some beer. Security guard came to the back as we were there. We then walked straight to the front to pay. My son walked towards one of the doors to wait outside as most 19 year olds don’t need or want to stand beside mommy as we pay. I heard a loud voice shreiking telling my son to leave his backpack. Take it off and put on the floor! My thought was they think he’s trying to leave with something he did not pay for. He thought she said no backpacks and that was his cue to leave. I was telling him no they said leave your backpack. Security guy was still standing there behind my son about 10 feet and never said a word. My son still proceeded to walk out so this woman dashes out the other door to block him. I did not know what was said then after they went out. She came back in and I said, “I don’t think he understood what you were wanting him to do”. She then snapped my head off with, “oh yes he did!!”. I was so shocked I paid and when my son told me what she said to him outside I decided to return the items I bought. My son had apologized to her saying he did not know he could not take his backpack in. She said “well there is a sign on the door!” And “what’s that drink you have?” He told her it was something he already had!! So her hired security guy is not trusted by her? He had come back into the back of store when we did as I chose my beer!!!! I’ll give her credit for apologizing after I called ...after I got a refund. As I said that was my first time in this store and the negative experience will always be with me and my son. Won’t go back. I have to wonder if my 19 year old son who has long hair was profiled for his long hair??? It was a knock on his self confidence. We are not...

I wouldn’t be able to properly discuss the quality of the location or products because I hardly made it through the front door. At first glance the store resembles a rather low income street market, comparable to a liquor store. ( Which is not inviting to the family oriented tourists constantly visiting the Seaside square ). I went into the store searching for a pack of gum, but because I have an appreciation for art and the colorful, eccentric things the world has to offer (not implying that this particular store had much of an intriguing presentation). I noticed a produce shelf near the entrance which contained a limited variety of fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes. I was interested in the tomatoes and went to examine them more thoroughly. I picked up a container and accidentally spilled a few onto the original shelf which I had removed them from. As I carefully proceeded to put the few wandering tomatoes back into their container, I noticed a large figure approaching me from behind. I was rudely interrupted from perusing the produce by a sharp, “Are you stealing things?!” I respond with, “No, I was returning these tomatoes to their shelf.” The store clerk abruptly intrudes the respectable area of space between us, and continues to accuse me of theft. I felt disrespected and addressed my feelings to her in a rather composed manner as she yelled for me to leave. I left, unable to purchase the gum I originally came in for. The woman did not see me accidentally fumble the tomatoes, and even if she did, she would not allow me to explain the incident (a rather harmless occurrence ). And as to why I was so rudely demanded to leave the store, I am not sure. It is possible the store receives a large number of attempted theft due to the large quantities of visitors in the area. Regardless, maybe it is best for the store to discover new ways of confrontation, and allow space for rebuttal in order to receive ongoing purchases...

Modica market is a small specialty/convenience grocery store with a deli/cafe. For visitors, this is a wonderful place to grab a pack of beer, a pint of local icecream, a few pounds of fillet for dinner, and some seasoning for the fish you just caught. For the full time residents, this is THE place to get thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas hams. You can open a tab to have a card on file for easy beach trips or bike rides. They also have the best draft selection of seaside on constant rotation. Give it a try and buy a slice of cake while...