That Poor Girl Is Rich in Style

10 Oct

Tori Poor, Co-Owner,
That Poor Girl

Style is the buzzword at That Poor Girl. Co-owners Tori Poor and Linda Blake stock their cozy King Street store at Whiteway Corner with an eclectic blend of vintage clothing, fashion jewelry and unique accessories to complement your modern wardrobe. When we meet on Friday afternoon, Tori is dressed in a black baby doll peignoir set accented with a gold belt and snow leopard ballet shoes, adding her contemporary flair to this classic look. Her sense of style dispels the myth that vintage clothing means outdated fashions or is intended only to be worn as costumes. “You can put a vintage top with a modern skirt and put chunky heels on and you’ve got something walking down the runway,” the trendy stylist advises. “There are so many things you can do with vintage. It can be new.” 

 Having grown up with parents active in estate sales and antiques, Tori has long appreciated and collected diverse clothing and accessories from the past. Since her teenaged years, Tori shared fond memories of spending time searching for unique fashions and hearing stories about vintage clothing she bought at funky second-hand shops, like Time Warp, formerly in Riverside’s Five Points. When that shop closed, she began her own quest to keep vintage designs and their back stories alive for other young fashionistas. “It’s not just old clothes or thrift stores. Vintage clothing has a story behind it. If you pick out a dress, I probably know the story behind it,” said Tori. Originally, she sold pieces from her treasure trove at her parents’ store, including their current shop, A Champions Consignment, before branching off to her own store with her business partner. United by their shared sense of style, Tori credits Linda’s business sense and financial support with helping her to further channel her creative talents as they launched their enterprise. They learned about the availability of the intimate King Street space through Craig’s List and jumped at the chance to start their business small, growing it over time. Longer-term, they hope to expand their retailing efforts online through eBay for vintage clothing and Etsy for hand-crafted accessories. 

Currently, these two retailers are often busy styling photo shoots at Brasil + West Photography or providing unique fashions for budding Jacksonville photographers, filmmakers and models for “Test Shoot Tuesdays” at Bubble Wrap Studio. When the duo tends their shop, they favor a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy sharing stories behind each fashion item or accessory with their customers. They appreciate the diversity of the King Street scene, including a customer who seeks out fun accessories for his fashionable Jack Russell Terrier. “There are so many interesting people who walk by here. I love it,” adds Tori. The boutique also promotes local artists including original acrylic paintings by Sebastian “Troy” Pierre and hand-made jewelry, hair bows and rings by Shantel Niblock and Anthony Danes (both are on Facebook). For other young retailers, Tori notes that it is important “to stay motivated. You have to push yourself and stay focused. Stay open for as long as you can, be here as often as you can. And keep following your instincts. For me, if I see something that inspires me I am going to run with it. Don’t ignore inspiration.”

Oct. 13 – Upcoming Charity
Photoshoot Contest

These talented stylists are supporters of local charities, including Girls Rock Camp, which provides opportunities for young girls, ages 9 to 16, to participate in workshops on music, creativity, songwriting, peer collaboration, and confidence-building. They are also looking forward to styling contestants in a 1960s/1970s-themed Charity Photoshoot Contest, organized and hosted by model Sarah Ann Smith, Manikin Model and Talent Agency, on October 13. Local photographers, Brasil + West Photography and Daryna Barykina will be taking photos of up-and-coming professional and amateur models with the winners helping to direct proceeds to local charities along with being awarded fun prizes.

If you are looking to make that one-of-a-kind fashion statement, to enhance your daily wardrobe or to receive professional styling for a special event or creative portfolio, make an appointment with the gifted team at That Poor Girl. Call them at 904-525-0490, stop by 1504 King Street at Whiteway Corner, or friend them on Facebook.

 –Bridges DelPonte - www.bridgesdelponte.com

 

Bonne Nuit Offers Sweet Dreams for Every Shopper

18 Jul

Quiet sophistication at
Bonne Nuit

Delicate candles scents and pastel colors with black-and-white accents transport guests into a tranquil environment at Bonne Nuit, “good night” in French.  A twelve-year veteran of the Shoppes of Avondale, the mother-daughter team of owner, Karen Johnston, and manager, Jennifer Perkins, built a strong customer following for their sophisticated lingerie shop by offering pastel feminine lingerie alongside fun fashion colors in bras and accessories.  The store’s knowledgeable staff offers personalized customer service, including hard-to-find personal bra fittings, for “all different shapes and sizes” notes store associate, Caroline Steedley.  She points out that lingerie “can be very sophisticated and pretty.  It doesn’t have to reveal too much, and can just be comfortable while you sleep.”

Owner Karen Johnston with shop mascot, Webster

In a challenging economy, Bonne Nuit moved its storefront across the street last year, more than doubling its retail space.  Steedley is pleased about the expansion.  “It has really been fabulous to be a part of a business that has grown during the recession,” she said.  Their larger location makes room for a fine selection of home décor, linens from Le Jacquard Français and bedding from Yves Delorme along with colorful fashion accessories and delightful infant apparel from Orange Park’s Brown Owl Designs.

Despite its growth, Steedley notes that Bonne Nuit continues to provide a relaxed shopping experience with quality goods at a wide range of price points.  “We have gift items as low as nine dollars up to bedding at a couple of hundred dollars,” she adds.  The store regularly provides 20 percent off its bedding and free gift wrap for all of your special purchases. “Fine gift wrap is almost a lost art,” says Steedley.  In addition, Bonne Nuit welcomes patrons to schedule private parties with wine and snacks from neighbor W90+and offers fashion previews with special trunk shows.With Bonne Nuit’s expansion, its owner and staff are developing an enhanced online presence with the launch of a new website that will host a regular newsletter showcasing product arrivals, a store blog with fashion and home furnishing tips and a fan page for the store’s mascot, Webster, a friendly English Labrador.  Steedley credits Bonne Nuit’s continuing success to “a really loyal customer base.  We’re very fortunate to have the support of the neighborhood.”

Caroline Steedley & Lawson Armes in new linen section

But community support is a two-way street as Bonne Nuit which has been active in local charity events with the Avondale Merchants Association, the Ronald MacDonald House of Jacksonville and Riverside Presbyterian Day School. To keep up with this growing retailer, stop by their store at 3579 St. Johns Avenue, (904) 389-2403, visit their website, www.shopbonnenuit.com, or friend them on Facebook.

Bet You Can’t “Tapa That” for Fresh Gourmet Bites

21 May

Tapa That, 820 Lomax Street

Tapa That puts a new twist on the Spanish tradition of “small plates” focusing on fresh gourmet ingredients in a casual café atmosphere.  The sibling team of Arielle and Michael Coutu just opened this cozy restaurant in April 2012 drawing upon years of prior restaurant and culinary experience at other Jacksonville eateries.  A graduate of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in technical theater, Michael envisioned a restaurant that supported the local arts community while chef Arielle wanted to bring her love of fresh and organic ingredients to her cooking.  Having grown up in Riverside, the Coutus looked forward to starting their business in the edgy mix of pink-haired teens and Mercedes-driving urbanites found in Five Points.  “That’s what Riverside is all about.  Those two groups being completely comfortable around each other,” remarked Michael.  The Jacksonville natives first thought about operating mainly a catering kitchen for their tapas delights with a small tasting room for prospective customers.  But when the Coutus discovered prime space on eclectic Lomax Street in Five Pointswith plenty of room for dining and live entertainment, everything changed.  “We really had no intention of doing a full service restaurant as our main focus,” said business manager Michael.  “This restaurant really shaped and formed itself… We’re really thankful we got here.” 

Airy Dining Room

With the help of local contractors, the duo refurbished this former coffee shop and record store into a warm and inviting spot with high open ceilings and an exposed brick wall running the length of the restaurant. A custom-built bar, fanciful lighting and a calming fountain accent the playful environment.  Colorful paintings from local artists grace the walls and live music offerings have already begun with plans for spoken word performances.  A funky lounge area with overstuffed couches and chairs lets customers relax over area beers from Bold City Brewery or Intuition Ale Works and moderately priced wines from a compact list of vintners, such as Coastal Vines Cellars.  A large chalkboard menu spells out that day’s delectable tapas cradled in fresh-baked bread crisps, including pesto chicken crostinis, herb goat cheese stuffed mushrooms, braised chorizo in red wine, banana beignet desserts and delicious cubano cakes that take more than 48 hours of preparation time.  Although called tapas, their servings are ample and reasonably priced.  One of Michael’s personal favorites is sweet onion jam with savory guava jelly canapés.  “It’s delicious and is a great showcase of everything we do.  It’s served on homemade crostinis, so you get to taste our home-baked bread.  The microgreens on the dish are from Twinn Bridges. The seasoning for the sweet onion jam comes from herbs we get from Green Man Gourmet.  It’s the definitive dish of what we do here at Tapa That.  It’s beautiful in presentation and has great flavor.” 

Michael & Arielle Coutu, Tapa That Co-Owners

As a “social butterfly”, Michael enjoys greeting customers and “getting their honest feedback” while shy Arielle lets her daily cooking do all the talking.  Her tapas dishes combine the influences of her experiences with local French restaurants with their mother’s Cuban heritage.  “Being from a Spanish family, cooking is always a natural thing. We as kids both would be in the kitchen helping from age 4 or 5 years old.  It’s the blend of a lot of different cooking styles and flavors. That’s what ultimately makes our tapas so unique,” Michael notes.  Always looking to keep their tapas fresh, the restaurant does not store its food in oversized walk-in freezers, preferring to shop regularly for garden-fresh ingredients.

Being a recent business owner, Michael recommends that any budding entrepreneur can save themselves a lot of time and headaches by engaging an experienced consultant in their industry.  The Coutus worked with Lawrence Yancey Enterprises to help them navigate their way through the detailed paperwork and government inspection and permitting processes in opening their restaurant.  Although only in operation for a little over a month, the restaurant has already been actively involved in the community participating in First Friday in Five Points and supporting the Jacksonville Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum. “I love the other [Five Points] merchants.  They have been super supportive,” adds Michael.

Relaxing Lounge Area

So stop by and show your support for this new kid on the block at 820 Lomax Street, (904) 376-9911.  Closed Sundays and Mondays, the restaurant is open Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11:00a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.  Visit their web site with gorgeous photos by Star Bradshaw Photography or friend them on Facebook.  Once you dine there, you’ll know that few restaurants can Tapa That!

–Bridges DelPonte, www.bridgesdelponte.com

 

 

Experience The Past – Visit The Present – Envision The Future

16 May

34TH ANNUAL SPRINGFIELD SPRING HOME AND GARDEN TOUR

For the past 33 years, Springfield residents have opened their homes to the Jacksonville community to show off Jacksonville’s oldest neighborhood. The two-day event will benefit Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council and Springfield Heritage Education Center.

 

WHERE:                  SPAR Headquarters & SHEC Archives, 1321 North Main St.

WHEN:                     Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20,  1:00pm to 6:00pm

COST:                       $10 in advance or $12 on tour days

TICKETS:              Buy  Online:  www.spartour.org

In Person:

SPAR Headquarters and SHEC Archives
1321 North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206

An Olde Time Hardware
3732 North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206

Three Layers
1602 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206

Tres Leches Deserts
1839 North Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32206

e2ride will also be offering bike tours during the Home Tour. http://www.e2ride.com/

INFORMATION:        www.spartour.org or 904/419-7432

Contact: Adam Halstead, 904-419-7432, adamhalstead@springfieldheritagecenter.org

Opening to Joy at Lotus Yoga

5 Apr

Lotus Yoga’s studio at Stockton and Myra Streets. 

Lotus Yoga is an oasis at the corner of Stockton and Myra Streets in the Riverside neighborhood.  The second floor studio is a bright, open space with warm wooden floors and ceilings and exposed brick walls.  Colorful mats are rolled out on the floor as yoga enthusiasts listen to the calming voice of studio co-owner, Bonnie Murdoch, as she moves the group through deep breathing exercises and strengthening and flexibility poses.  But it wasn’t always an inviting, peaceful haven that yoga students see today.  Back in 2008, her co-owner Bethany Crawley discovered a large, dilapidated space with dingy windows, holes in the walls and ceilings and insulation dangling from its rafters and then immediately contacted Bonnie.  The duo saw past the unlikely spot’s “wrinkles” and “envisioned an open, inviting, and light-filled space.”   After transforming the spot, they named their studio after the lotus flower to symbolize “growth and the emergence from the darkness into the light” and “to represent growth, light, purity and wisdom.”

As two busy attorneys at different Jacksonville law firms, they knew all too well the stresses of demanding careers and hectic personal lives.  Yet each followed a different path to the study and practice of yoga before joining forces in September 2008 to establish Lotus Yoga.  About ten years ago, a friend invited Bonnie, a former triathlete and long-distance runner, to attend a yoga class at the YMCA.  After taking a few initial classes, Bonnie felt a sense of both energy and relaxation.  “I had no idea how worn out I was…A seed was planted,” she notes.  Soon she began attending classes regularly and knew “something began changing inside of me.  I started to feel better; the seed was taking root.”  Her business partner, Bethany had previously studied dance and gymnastics before training as a spring board and tower diver.  About eight years ago, she started to practice yoga as a natural blend of “the strength of gymnastics, the grace of dance, the weightlessness of diving.”  And like Bonnie, Bethany realized that her yoga practice was “most importantly, a path for transformation and spiritual growth.”

Co-owners of Lotus Yoga, Bonnie Murdoch (l) and Bethany Crawley (r)

Lotus Yoga primarily offers vinyasa flow and modified ashtanga vinyasa classes.  In vinyasa yoga, one posture flows into the next in harmony with the movement of the breath in and out of the body, creating a meditation in movement.  The studio also offers restorative chair yoga classes for those students whose access to yoga may be restricted as a result of trauma, injury or natural aging.  Private lessons are also available upon request.  All studio instructors have a minimum of 200 hours of teacher training certifications and have attended a number of workshops and classes with experienced instructors.  The studio also enjoys bringing in other well-respected national instructors for their students and their own practices of yoga.  National teacher and author Rolf Gates offered a special two-hour Vinyasa class with on Tuesday, March 27.  His visit will be followed by a weekend workshop with Kathryn Budig, a world-renowned yoga instructor and contributing writer to Om Yoga and Yoga Journal Magazine, from April 13-15.  Ms. Budig is known for exuding an adventurous and playful spirit and inspiring others to explore their minds and bodies in creative ways.

If you’re looking for a way to restore and reenergize yourself, pull on that loose, comfortable clothing, grab that yoga mat and a bottle of water and stop by Lotus Yoga at 869 Stockton Street, Suite 7, across from The John Gorrie, or check them out on the Web at lotusyogajax.com.

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

 

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