GoLO Jacksonville

The angelic face that guards the doorway to Jane Doe is only the first clue that you’ve stumbled across a little slice of retail heaven.

Inside, the boutique’s soft lighting and carefully curated fashion palette create a serene, welcoming environment that echoes the calm, warm nature of its service-minded owner, AnnMarie Luque.  When she opened the Five Points store in June 2011, Ms. Luque wanted her boutique to be “a peaceful, relaxing sanctuary” with “a different type of energy that allows for creativity and a certain level of comfort for our customers….I think you have to get to know people to help them buy clothes and that environment needs to be like a cocoon.”  At Jane Doe, Ms. Luque feels privileged to be able to serve and to work as a “retail matchmaker” offering her customers “wearable solutions” that fuse their personal style with the demands of their daily life at a moderate, reasonable price. 

Although new to Jacksonville, Ms. Luque ran a successful boutique in the heart of St. Augustine for several years before outgrowing that location.  Her Jacksonville retail haven more than doubled her floor space and allowed her to operate her business in a friendly, close-knit community of independent merchants.  This boutique owner believes in the importance and power of building a sense of community by patronizing your neighborhood businesses as proposed in the 3/50 Project, a national version of our local GOLo campaign.  With her accent on service and community, Ms. Luque has already become actively involved in local and national charities, regularly donating new clothing to the local Salvation Army, offering supplies and books to area school groups and supporting the Lottie Moon Offering, which aids missionaries serving others internationally.

Jane Doe owner, AnnMarie Luque

A former jewelry designer, she often personally works with U.S. clothing designers to create patterns that blend together a mix of classic cuts and styling with a contemporary artistic twist.  “Jackie O. meets Andy Warhol,” she quips.  These unique fashions are typically limited to six copies of a particular design.  Ms. Luque also enjoys finding clothing and other goods that you do not see in the malls or catalogs and prefers to avoid fads while helping customers “to feel new about themselves.”  She would love to see some of the styles of the 1940s make a comeback, including beautiful leg wear and hosiery.  Whenever possible, she also tries to buy clothing, jewelry, scents, candles and home fashions made in the United States to help the domestic economy thrive.

Mud Pie Fashion at Jane Doe

Though less than a year old, Jane Doe customers clearly agree with the store’s brand of quality products and personal service, voting the store as the Best New Boutique of 2012 in Jacksonville Magazine.  The humble owner only found out about the honor when fellow merchants and customers began to congratulate her on the award.  She suggests that new entrepreneurs wanting to be successful  should “learn by doing,” working their way up through their chosen field and always remembering the reasons why you chose to serve in that field.

So take a break from your frenetic schedule and stop by Jane Doe at 1027 Park Street, Tues.-Sat., 10:00 to 5:00/6:00, call them at 904-356-0027 or friend Jane Doe on Facebook to learn more about their special retail events and plans for their upcoming first anniversary.

–Bridges DelPonte, http://www.bridgesdelponte.com

The Clothing Warehouse has been in operation for nearly 5 years in Five Points. But for new owner, Jeannie Jones, buying the vintage clothing store started a new life chapter back in February 2011. After nearly 30 years in the insurance industry, Ms. Jones said that she was ready for “a new adventure” and “to explore other opportunities” and wanted to build on her prior business, retail and bookkeeping experience.  She liked the idea of a boutique clothing shop with the added twist of being a business with “a green approach” that focuses on recycling fashion rather than throwing out clothing and accessories. Different fashion designs continue to cycle through the decades, with some customers trying to capture a retro look while others try to be fashion forward, tweaking an old school design with a contemporary flair.

Owner Jeannie Jones, with an array of cool sunglasses

Like any new business owner, she made some immediate changes to the store, such as increasing the shop hours, freshening up clothing presentations, creating special sales and highlighting hot fashion items in weekly window displays. She noted that “we have gotten a lot of compliments on our store windows,”  including from local merchants. A broader array of new stock was added such as fun sunglasses, fashion wigs and costume jewelry. Ms. Jones is even toying with the idea of changing the shop’s name once her license on its existing franchise name expires in February 2012, so watch her Facebook page for updates. Kyla, the store’s resident pampered West Highland Terrier, is sure to have a say in any final name change in this pet-friendly store.

This busy entrepreneur and her staff are “in” to vintage wear and enjoy helping customers have a “fun, enjoyable experience” while looking for that perfect outfit to suit their personal style or upcoming social gathering. One of the main challenges has been finding what she needed for her eclectic customer base. “It takes a little while to get a feel for what people want,” said Ms. Jones. “Our clientele is really a mixture.” About half of her customers are local young people looking for vintage fashion while the other half are those seeking out specific period clothing for a special event. Ms. Jones also notes that her shop’s fashions are very popular with those involved in vintage weddings seeking 1940s wraps or 1950s pill box hats, or parties set in a certain period, like 1970s/80s disco dresses. From time to time, even members of local theater troupes will check out her inventory.

The proud owner advises that her store is not a consignment shop as nearly all stock is purchased from trusted vendors. On a rare occasion, she’ll check out estate sales if the fashion items are in demand. Some clothing “may absolutely be gorgeous, breathtaking,” but she won’t buy it if that style is not currently surging in the fickle fashion world. One hot trend is for bell bottoms–”and I was part of the bell-bottom generation,” she confides, “I’ve had multiple requests for them. They are hard to come by.” Another major fad is girl’s cowboy boots with short shorts and short pencil skirts, which are flying off the shelves.

A member of the Five Points Merchants Association, she was drawn to this area’s “small community feel,” reminiscent of the close-knit beach neighborhood where she lives. Her shop regularly participates in First Fridays in Five Points where local stores stay open late and greet customers with live music, refreshments and special sales on this pedestrian-friendly street. She especially enjoyed a previous month’s chocolate theme with chocolate wine and chocolate-covered strawberries and her store offered free 1940s fashion and make-up makeovers for customers. The store will have extended holiday hours: Mon. –Thurs.-10:00-6:00, Fri.-10:30-7:30, Sun.- 12:00-5:00 in December. Check Facebook for holiday sales and other updates or stop by the shop at 1010 Park Street, 904-356-5003, to step back to the future.

–Bridges DelPonte, http://www.bridgesdelponte.com

The moment you step inside One of Each Gifts, you know the holiday shopping season is in full swing. A large decorated Christmas tree greets you and an entire back wall is dedicated to a wide range of sparkling holiday ornaments. The sweet scents of scented-reed diffusers and Tyler candles fill the air while soft music plays in the background. Owner Jonathan Brown is already cheerfully helping several customers as one shopper browses jewelry racks while another checks out his holiday cards and stationery offerings. A third customer asks him for free gift-wrapping of her purchases of Thymes fine English soaps and lotions for later pick-up. The smiling, dynamic owner clearly enjoys working with his customers and retail gifts are in his blood as his mother ran another local gift shop for years. Mr. Brown notes that his mother, who recently turned 89, just retired after providing years of “good insight on buying for the shop” and serving as the store’s premier gift wrapper.

Owner Jonathan Brown

The busy gift boutique has been in operation for about 8½ years, with an initial shop at the corner of Park and King Streets. Mr. Brown’s successful venture outgrew that space and he moved his store to Five Points about four years ago. As an Avondale resident, he wanted to keep his shop close to home and likes the “village environment of Five Points, which is more like an old-fashioned downtown with lots of foot traffic” and where friendly neighborhood shop owners help each other out. Many years ago, his feisty mother once chained herself along with others across May Street to block the bulldozing of brick cobblestones to help the area retain some of its historic charm.

The Jacksonville native previously ran another retail store and restaurant before opening his own gift shop because he felt “there was an unmet need in the neighborhood.” With a wealth of business experience, Mr. Brown advises new entrepreneurs “to keep it simple” and “follow your bliss” in deciding what business to start. He warns enthusiastic new owners “not to spread themselves too thin” but to add on later as your business progresses. He also thinks it’s important to “have fun and have a good sense of humor, and laugh it off or else go nutty.”

In this challenging economy, the retailer thinks his “value-oriented gifts” which offer good quality items at reasonable prices will bring in shoppers. This season, he has found that people are buying lots of holiday ornaments and scented candles for friends and co-workers, especially scented “Diva” candle jars. Costume jewelry has also been a very popular gift choice. As the weather begins to cool down, colorful Pashmina scarves and shawls are also in demand. For men, he has seen decorative golf balls and humorous novelty gums becoming favorite stocking stuffers. After the holiday season, he advises bargain-hunters to watch for those after-Christmas sales as his shop regularly turns over its stock and décor to suit every season and major holiday.

So stop by One of Each Gifts, 1026 Park Street, 904-389-9360, right next to the new SunRay Cinema at the Five Points Theatre, with “gifts so unique you’ll want one of each!”

–Bridges DelPonte, http://www.bridgesdelponte.com

Known for its eclectic flair, Five Points is a perfect spot for Subculture, a retail store filled with creative accessories for you and your home. Fashionista Carlisle Dickey, with her close-cropped blond hair and beaded black corset top, personifies Subculture’s sense of individual flair. When I enter, she is helping two young women pouring over some trendy corset tops in this hip store. Industrial steel and black duct work ceilings mixed with antique chandeliers and couches, ornate mirrors and pink-striped floors and walls hint at Subculture’s diverse and unique approach to style.

“We wanted to bring more liveliness to Five Points. And it’s very inviting and fun to be yourself here,” adds Carlisle. Distinctive fashion jewelry, cool sunglasses, feathery fascinator hats, glittery head bands and custom tutus and corsets line Subculture’s display racks and glass cases. Custom artwork dots its walls and hand-painted furniture is exhibited throughout this shop. “Subculture is the essence of Five Points,” says Carlisle’s brother-in-law Drake Price. “It has something for all ages and for all styles, from plain to sparkly.”

Subculture's hand-crafted Fascinator hats

Started in August 2010, this young business is a family project of the Dickeys and Prices, all Jacksonville natives. Carlisle’s dad, Tom, has been a life-long entrepreneur and wanted to instill strong business values in his daughters, Carlisle and Ashley. Ashley and her dad had a clear vision for their store and Carlisle and Ashley’s husband, Drake, were happy to help them achieve it. In a weak economy, this optimistic family decided to try their hands at a retail business and to forge their own futures. “It’s great to be in control of your own business. If you make mistakes, it’s on you. But you can be as successful as you want to take it,” states Drake.

The entire family helped to design the store and spent countless hours pulling up crumbling carpet, removing hundreds of nail hangers, sanding down its glue-stained floor, repainting its walls and floor and decorating it with vintage furnishings; only to have a last minute power outage delay their grand opening. But they quickly rebounded and truly enjoy working hard together as family to make their store a success. They also motivate each other to reach their highest potential. “Our family saying is follow through,” states Carlisle.

Subculture co-owners Drake Price and Carlisle Dickey

Family members contribute not only time and funding, but also their creative talents to the store’s offerings. Drake shows me beautiful hand-crafted fascinator hats that would sparkle at any special event while Carlisle gushes with pride about her mom’s wall paintings and one-of-a-kind tables to add panache to home decor. These owners also point out that they mash-up various jewelry pieces to create custom items for their customers. “We try to stay ahead and watch the fashion scene,” states Drake. Subculture also offers fun “After Hours” jewelry parties for birthdays, wedding showers or other special occasions where customers can share wine and hors d’oeuvres while shopping for chic fashion accents. From time to time, this shop sets up tables at local events, such as a recent rockabilly concert at The Landing or Jacksonville Riverside Wine Festival in Five Points to get the word out about their trendy store. Over time, they hope to sell their unique items online or through additional store locations.

These owners like the camaraderie of area business people who meet monthly and strive to help each other be successful in Five Points. They also show support for local charities by donating store gift cards. Drake and Carlisle love to interact with people. “We love to entertain and we’re always good for a laugh,” smiles Carlisle. Spontaneous by nature, they surprise their customers with specials on Facebook or through unplanned street flyer campaigns. Gift wrap for your purchases is always free.

As the holidays roll around, if you’re looking for a unique item for that hard to please friend or family member, visit Subculture, where fashion meets fun, at 1009 Park Street, Five Points, 904-619-7446 or friend them on Facebook.

-Bridges DelPonte, bridgesdelponte@yahoo.com (e-mail)/ http://www.bridgesdelponte.com(website)

Quiches are made fresh daily. photo credit: CariVicarious.com

Bakery Moderne is closed on Mondays, but pastry chef and owner Nathalie Mockler is hard at work kneading bread dough. While Riverside sleeps, she arrives at 4:30 a.m. daily to prepare her signature baked goods and brew fresh coffee from local Bold Bean Coffee Roasters.

Her hand-shaped artisanal breads, from classic French loaves and croissants to contemporary sundried tomato-basil and asiago-cracked peppercorn, are made from scratch with organic herbs from her garden and without preservatives. It’s “a three-hour process just to make a small batch of French bread” and she’s “got some biceps” from the daily workout. The owner/baker takes a quick break to share how she turned her one-time hobby into Riverside’s hip European-style bakery and café.

Originally trained as an architect, the Jacksonville native earned an architecture degree minoring in art history from the University of Miami. For years she helped design educational and institutional facilities such as the Student Union Parking Garage at Florida State College’s Kent campus and the Social Sciences building at the University of North Florida. While completing those projects, she built a dedicated following among family and friends for making delicious multi-tiered wedding cakes part-time for nearly eight years. She admits that lengthy design and construction processes couldn’t compete with “the immediate gratification” of “putting a smile on a customer’s face right away” with cakes. Eventually she pursued formal pastry training at Florida Culinary Institute in West Palm Beach (now Lincoln Culinary Institute), followed by a three-year stint as a pastry assistant at Epping Forest Yacht Club.

Bakery Moderne. photo credit: VisitSouth.com

A Riverside resident, Ms. Mockler scouted local vacancies and soon discovered this light, airy space with its tall glass windows, high ceilings and exposed brick walls at the corner of Stockton and Myra Streets. In December 2009, she opened Bakery Moderne with its art nouveau lettering harking back to her architecture and art history roots. The café is located across the street from the John Gorrie Junior High School, where painstaking renovations have burnished the school into an architectural gem (the couple that spearheaded the effort, Wayne and Delores Weaver, recently stopped into the café after reviewing the project’s final “punch list”). The pastry chef hopes the Gorrie development will further revitalize the neighborhood. Giving back to the community is important to her, and the owner/chef frequently donates baked goods to local organizations, such as the Sulzbacher Center, Riverside Fine Arts and Lender Processing Services’ charity events.

 
At an earlier visit, a lunch-time diner raved to me about the fresh breads and savory quiches. Mockler is especially proud of her Cuban sandwich made with slow-roasted pork and fresh-baked Cuban bread borrowed from her Cuban grandmother’s recipe. But she likes “to keep an open mind” to customer suggestions or ideas for new items. Her husband helps out “a lot behind the scenes” cooking up corn chowder and St. Augustine datil sausage and spicy black bean soups to accompany her fresh breads. With her high-quality standards, one of her biggest challenges has been to find trained staff to help with baking tasks. Admitting that “sweets are her first love,” the chef reminds diet-conscious customers that they don’t have to avoid all pastries. “It’s all about moderation and portion-size,” she says. “Our mini-tarts are all about portion control” and “fresh fruit is good to have.”

Pastry Chef and Owner, Nathalie Mockler, Bakery Moderne

With a busy holiday season right around the corner, she notes that fresh petit fours, dinner rolls, fruit pies and Yule logs will be in demand. The bakery also delivers catering services for special events, including dessert tables, breakfast and lunch platters and custom cakes for client meetings and events. So whether it’s baked goods for breakfast, lunch or a special occasion, be sure to stop by Bakery Moderne, 869 Stockton Street, where flour power rules.

–Bridges delPonte