By: Dianté Marigny
For 25 years, one small shop on South Padre Island has helped families mark their beach memories with something simple and sparkling — a toe ring.
This March, Karen’s Toe Rings celebrates a quarter-century of tradition on the island, a milestone made even more meaningful by love, loss and a new chapter.
Originally opened in March 2001 by Dallas couple Mike Luberich and Karen Everett, the boutique began with a dream sparked by a vacation.
“They came down to South Padre, and she fell in love with it,” said current owner Lupe Metzger. “She wanted to open a toe ring store here. They had the idea for a while, but when she fell in love with the island, that was it.”
The couple built the store themselves, pouring their personality into every detail. In the early years, they even carried gold and diamond pieces alongside their custom toe rings and anklets.
“They were just the most loving people,” Metzger said. “They built something amazing. It became a tradition for hundreds of families that come every year.”
For Metzger and her husband, the shop was never just a store — it was part of their own love story.
The couple honeymooned on South Padre in 2003. They wandered into the original location and met Mike and Karen for the first time.
“We walked in, and back then they used to sell actual gold and diamonds,” Metzger recalled with a laugh. “I saw a ring and said, ‘Honey, I want that ring.’”
That moment planted a seed. “I said, ‘One day, I want to own a store like this.’”
For 22 years, they returned as customers. Every year, Metzger would ask Mike if he was ready to sell. “He’d say, ‘One day, one day.’ They built it themselves, so they didn’t want it to just go to anybody,” she said.
When the business was finally posted for sale on Facebook last year, Lupe and her husband drove from Austin immediately. “I told them, ‘You can’t sell. Give us a chance.’”
They shared their story — how the shop had been part of their marriage from the beginning. Although another buyer was already lined up, that buyer didn’t have a space secured. Lupe and her husband did, so they were given the opportunity.
What should have been a joyful transition quickly turned bittersweet. During the sale process, Mike suffered an accident and underwent emergency surgery. Though he initially came through the procedure, his heart gave out weeks later. He passed away March 28 of last year.
“We expected Mike to be around to help us transition,” Metzger said quietly. “We lost him during that time.”
The sale finalized March 31 — the same week the store was forced to move from its original plaza location after the lease was not renewed amid redevelopment of the gallery district.
“It was a summer of tears and beers,” Metzger said. “Every time somebody comes in, they’re looking for Mike and Karen, and we have to tell the story.”
Karen, now 75, still spends time on the island as her health allows. Metzger says honoring the original owners is non-negotiable. “Some buyers wanted to change the name or move it off the island. We said no,” Metzger said proudly. “This has been a tradition for families for 25 years. We’re not changing the name.”
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, roughly 1,500 customers walk through the doors. Many are returning families who have made a stop at Karen’s part of their annual beach ritual.
“They always bring someone new — a granddaughter, a daughter, a friend,” Metzger said. “It’s part of their trip.”
Today, the shop is located at 1817 Padre Blvd., in the former Palmetto building. With support from local business owners and the Chamber of Commerce, the boutique reopened in a recreated space that feels both fresh and familiar.
The merchandise remains rooted in its origins: toe rings and custom anklets. But there are thoughtful additions. Metzger introduced permanent jewelry and a hat bar concept she previously operated in Austin. Behind the scenes, her husband has taken on a new craft. After Mike’s passing, he sought out training from a metalsmith at the island’s art incubator and now handcrafts many of the store’s pieces himself — including about 75 percent of the anklets.
Still, Metzger insists the heart of the shop hasn’t changed. “We offer an experience,” she said. “Everybody that walks through our doors gets a hello, a greeting, a story. They’re not just paying for jewelry. They’re getting a new friend.”
For Metzger, who is Hispanic and originally from Weslaco, owning a boutique here carries deep meaning. “It’s important to me that we’re family-owned,” she said. “I’m a local. I’m Hispanic. I’m a female business owner. We’re a niche boutique. We’re iconic.”
Beyond retail, the shop participates in community efforts, including experiences for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and stays active with local organizations. And yes — for longtime customers who remember limited hours in later years — the shop now keeps regular business hours.
“That’s the first thing people ask,” Metzger said with a smile. “‘Do you have regular hours?’ Yes, we do.”
A 25-year celebration is in the works, with Metzger hoping Karen can attend. If timing doesn’t work this month, the shop plans to host a party in April to mark the anniversary.
For Metzger and her husband, the milestone feels full circle. Years ago, sitting on the beach near the 101, they wrote down their dream of living and building a life on South Padre Island. Buying Karen’s Toe Rings wasn’t just a business move — it was the fulfillment of something written in sand.
“We made it happen,” Metzger said. “This was our dream. And it brought us back to the island.”
After 25 years, thousands of bare feet, and generations of families, Karen’s Toe Rings remains what it has always been — a little sparkle, a lot of heart, and a tradition that keeps coming back with the tide.