ANNA MARIA — A three-page spread in the February edition of Southern Living Magazine continues to put the shine on Pine Avenue.

Shoppers from the surrounding area have come to the Island in droves to check out the eclectic mix of shops on the iconic street.

"The day after the article came out, people were lined up outside the door with copies of Southern Living in their hands," reported Rhonda Grote, owner of Relish Vintage and Artisan Boutique. "I'm a statistics person, and I've noted a 40 percent increase in the number of people that walk in the door since the magazine hit the stands."

Southern Living staffers approached Janae Rudicille, owner of the Pine Avenue business Pink and Navy boutique about nine months ago.

"They asked me to recommend a local designer who could show them around the street and select an item to highlight from each shop," Rudicille said. "Of course, I suggested Layla Copeland."

Copeland, like Rudicille, is an AMI native. Both grew up in the Island's north end, Rudicille on the land where her shop now sits. Copeland's parents' home is just around the corner on North Bay Boulevard.

Copeland attended Anna Maria Elementary School, then it was on to King Middle School and Manatee High School before college. She holds a master's degree in printmaking from the University of Miami.

Copeland designs a line of purses that are featured at Relish, as well as at Chameleon and at several shops in The Village of the Arts, both in Bradenton. She has artwork on sale at Pink and Navy.

Recently, Copeland has been concentrating on designing shoes for Dynasty Footwear, a company that designs and manufactures shoes that are sold at Target, Kohl's, TJ Max and JC Penny.

A sampling of her work can be seen on her website, www.laylacopeland.com.

Copeland said she was thrilled when she got the call from the Southern Living staff.

"Are you kidding?" she asked. "I'm a Southern girl. I was brought up on Southern Living!"

The article featured five Pine Avenue shops: Pink and Navy Boutique, Anna Maria General Store, Anna Maria Olive Oil Outpost, The Island Cabana and Relish.

Copeland drew attention to Thai ginger salt in the Olive Oil Outpost.

"The ginger tones really shine," she said.

It was the repurposed clothing at Relish.

"Rhonda's really creative," Copeland said. "She takes vintage clothing, remakes it along more modern lines and then puts some wonderfully quirky individual touches on each garment."

At Pink and Navy, Copeland noted that Rudicille has stocked some high-end designer labels including Marc Jacobs, Troy Burch, TOMS and Judith March. It was a Judith March dress that Copeland chose to highlight for the article.

"The prices at Pink and Navy are really good," she said. "These same designer dresses are much, much more at high end shops everywhere else."

It was the pillows Copeland favored at the home goods shop, Island Cabana.

At Anna Maria General Store, Copeland recommends the local products from fresh Mixon orange juice to Tyler's ice cream from Cortez to the fresh Italian favorites prepared just across the street.

And the buzz along Pine continues.

"I got a call yesterday from a country club in Sarasota," Grote said. "They saw the article, and they're bringing 40 members of their women's group up here next week to visit Relish and have lunch at the Village Café."