Sarah Stein has been given the task of continuing the business of her father, Thomas Stein, a legend in South Walton County. His entrepreneurial spirit is obvious even now in Thos. Stein Inc.

 

Sarah’s father attended Antioch College, where his paths crossed with Robert Davis, another man with business acumen who was working to develop Seaside. The two fostered a strong friendship that lasted for decades. In the early 80s, after a call from Robert, Tom moved with his wife, Janet, to the area to help with developing Seaside. At that time, Sarah’s father was a contractor, and her mother was an educator. Her father quickly became extremely involved in the South Walton community.

 

In 1985, he started his underground utility and site contracting company aptly called Thos. Stein Inc., a family business he ran for 37 years. Not only did he have an enormous impact on the Seaside area, but Tom also served his own community, Santa Rosa Beach, as a member and chairman of the Code Enforcement Board for twenty-two years. Tom was paramount in promoting public transportation along 30A and was a member of the Point Washington Historical Society as well.

 

As the town of Seaside evolved, Tom became the first Town Manager. Many may not know that he was also responsible for developing the drainage system in Seaside’s Central Square. As an avid boater, Tom founded the Choctawhatchee Rowing and Paddling Club in Point Washington, now a popular place for kayakers, boaters, and paddleboarders. If you take off from there for your boating adventure, be sure to thank Tom.

 

Tom and Janet raised their three children, Sarah, Isaac, and Tommy, in Santa Rosa Beach. Sarah is now raising her two children, Judah and Frankie, in Point Washington. In 2022, with the passing of her father, Sarah took over Thos. Stein Inc., a legacy she hopes will last decades into the future.

**Sidebar:

Breakfast: Hibiscus
Lunch: Down island
Dinner: Bitterroot
Sunset: My canal

Top tip for new locals? Don’t go to Destin in the summer!

The Bay restaurant where they can play in the sand

Kilwins for ice cream

Bike riding in Point Washington

Just Jump trampoline park in Panama City Beach

Seaside to play tourists and get a toy at Duckies and a book at Sundogs