Today we’d like to introduce you to Neil Castellane.
Hi Neil, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been a Realtor in the Lowcountry for 25 years, but my wife Kimmie and I have always had another big passion in life: Christmas. We were looking for a way to create another income stream and tossed around a lot of ideas. One day, a close friend reminded us of that old saying: ‘If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.’ She laughed and said, ‘You two are obsessed with Christmas — why not do something with that?’ At first, I thought she was just being playful, but the more we talked about it, the more it made sense. After doing some research, we realized it was actually a fantastic idea. So when the opportunity came along to own Christmas stores, we didn’t hesitate — we jumped right in. Looking back, it’s one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. It combines our love for the holiday season with our entrepreneurial spirit, and we get to share that joy with others all year long.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part, it has been a smooth road — but like with anything new, there were plenty of learning curves. We had to get familiar with hundreds of products, understand which vendors to work with, and figure out what really connects with customers. And because we now have three stores in three different states, we quickly learned that every market has its own personality — what sells in Savannah might not be the same as Hilton Head or Amelia Island.
On top of that, both Kimmie and I still work full-time — I’m a Realtor and she’s in education — so balancing our schedules definitely adds some long days. But the funny thing is, when you’re unpacking ornaments or decorating trees, it doesn’t feel like work. Christmas just has a way of lifting your spirits.
One of the biggest reasons the journey has been smooth is our staff. We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have an amazing, dedicated team — many of them have been with us since the very beginning. They love what they do, and we live by the philosophy: ‘Train your employees so they can go anywhere, but treat them so well they never want to leave.’ Without them, the obstacles would have felt a lot bigger. They truly make the magic possible.
As you know, we’re big fans of A Coastal Christmas. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At A Coastal Christmas, we bring the magic of the holidays to life all year long. What began as a simple idea rooted in our love for Christmas has grown into a family-owned boutique brand with locations in Hilton Head, Savannah, and Amelia Island. Each store is thoughtfully curated to capture both the timeless traditions of Christmas and the charm of the coast, offering everything from ornaments, Santas, and nutcrackers to specialty gifts and heirloom-quality collectibles. We’re especially proud to be recognized as one of the leading Christopher Radko retailers in the Southeast, but what truly sets us apart is our focus on creating an experience that feels as joyful as the season itself.
Instead of rows of generic décor, our shops are designed to inspire. We showcase one-of-a-kind treasures, coastal-inspired pieces you won’t find anywhere else, and handpicked items from local makers that celebrate the spirit of the Lowcountry. Whether someone is searching for a statement ornament, a whimsical holiday gift, or simply a reason to smile, our goal is to make every visit feel like stepping into a snow globe.
Beyond the products, what we’re most proud of is the feeling customers carry with them. Watching families return year after year, hearing them share how an ornament purchased during a trip has become part of their holiday traditions — that’s what makes this so meaningful. We also credit our success to our incredible team, many of whom have been with us since the beginning. They aren’t just employees, they’re ambassadors of Christmas joy, and more importantly, we consider them part of our family.
More than just a store, A Coastal Christmas is a celebration. We want people to know that whether they visit in July or December, they’ll be greeted with inspiration, warmth, and a little bit of magic.
How do you define success?
For us, success isn’t just measured in sales or numbers — it’s about the joy we create. When a customer walks through our doors and their eyes light up, when families tell us that our ornaments have become part of their holiday traditions, that’s success. We know we’ve done our job when people leave feeling happier than when they came in.
Of course, we’re proud of growing to three stores in three different states and being recognized as one of the top Christmas retailers in the Southeast, but at the end of the day, success is about creating experiences. It’s about being the place where someone finds the perfect gift, discovers a piece that reminds them of home, or just escapes into the magic of the season. If we can make people smile and give them memories that last well beyond Christmas morning, then we’ve truly succeeded.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ACoastalChristmas.com
- Instagram: @ACoastalChristmasDotCom
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acoastalchristmas
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ACoastalChristmas
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@acoastalchristmas
