“Sunday” Spotlight

2.20.12

For this week’s Sunday Spotlight, I stopped by John White, Ltd—one of my all time favorite places!! This store is also one of my parent’s favorite stores. They really have stuff for everybody!  They have great clothes for women and men. And for you men out there looking to rent a tux—this is THE place to go!! I enjoyed talking to both Janet and John White about the store and can’t wait to visit again!

What inspired you to open?

John had already co-owned another store for 13 years and I had just graduated with a degree in merchandising, so it just seemed natural.

What do you love about fashion?

I love that fashion is ever changing. Reinventing itself.

What is the best part of owning your own store?

The best part of owning my store is that I (and John) am the boss. If something is good and retails it is great, but if it does not do good it is my fault, no one elses.

What is the worst or hardest thing about owning your own store?

The hardest thing is the hours. We work all the time.

Do you have any favorite items in the store?

All the items are my favorite! I hand picked them!

What are some future goals for the store?

Future goals are to keep doing what we love to do. John and I have been blessed to be able to do what we love to do and actually make a living at it.

Do you have anything you want to add?

Mardi Gras season is coming to an end, and we have set a new record on tuxedos and gowns! We have a lot of happy customers and that is the best reward ever!

This dress is by far my favorite item in the shop!! (maybe in any shop! it is flawless)

Don’t forget to “like” them on facebook!

Sunday Spotlight

1.15.12

For this week’s Sunday Spotlight I interviewed Fran Ginn, artist and owner of The Back Door Cafe in Columbia, Mississippi.  The Back Door is one of my favorite local restaurants.  I’ve celebrated my birthday here for the past 3 years!! The food is great, the service is great (AHEM Be sure to ask for Taylor, not Zach. She’s the greatest, he’s…well, you’ll see), and the atmosphere is great.  All joking aside, you seriously need to check this place out! 

What inspired you to open your own restaurant?

My brother owned a department store at this location and I opened up the cafe in the store to increase sales. It was a difficult time for department stores because the four lane to Hattiesburg just opened and discount stores were becoming popular. The customer placed their order at the back door—hence The Back Door Cafe! After two years there was a fire and after that we expanded. The gift store remained, but the restaurant grew. In 2004, the store part closed and we changed the interiors a bit.

What is your favorite part about owning a restaurant?

The adrenalin rush! When it’s busy like this and you have so much to get done, it’s a great shot of adrenalin.

What is the hardest part?

Managing people.

Do you have a favorite dish?
The chicken salad—it’s just one of those things I never tire of.

Future goals for the store?

We are opening up a new location in Hattiesburg. It’s going to be located in Southern Bone and Joint on Veterans Memorial Boulevard. It’s a small location and will be mainly take out. It will be our basic lunch menu. (I’d also like to make a bajillion dollars and travel around the world with the Messers!) I’m just excited about the business again. When you do something so long, you have to learn to reinvent yourself to keep things fresh and interesting.

How do you use art and fashion in your restaurant?

You eat with your eyes first. The food has to be pretty as well as good. It needs to appeal to all of the senses. As far as the restaurant décor, the art in here is just an extension of my home. Some of the art is mine and some of it is just what makes me feel good and happy.

Do you have a style motto?

Yes, I have a framed picture that expresses how I feel about fashion perfectly. It is a photo of two young children and reads,“I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch” —Gilda Radner (1946-1989) Everyone always says the one of the right looks like me. I also love buying handmade pieces. I love anything handmade—anything unique. I love that I’m wearing art someone made—something they are passionate about and proud of.

Anything you want to add?

I have a very distinct memory of going to a grocery store in New Orleans with my grandfather when I was little. I remember they had the most exotic items. He and my grandmother taught me how to cook. When I was 13, they gave me a subscription to Gourmet Magazine. Through these experiences, they were showing me I wanted more than what was on everyone else’s table; I wanted more than peas and cornbread. Cooking felt like my ticket to a bigger world.

To learn more about The Back Door Cafe you can “like” them on facebook, check out their website, or give them a call at 601.736.1490!

Sunday Spotlight

1.8.12

Welcome to the first Sunday Spotlight! Each week I am going to interview inspiring local people who are living their passions! This week’s Sunday Spotlight is Macie Malone of Mostly Macie’s!

What inspired you to open?

Beginning at age three my mom told me I wouldn’t let anyone dress me/pick out my outfits besides myself. I have had a love for fashion and “cute” clothes/accessories since I was little. As I got older and started trying to really figure out what I wanted my career to be my mother said I always said when I was a little girl that I wanted to have a clothing store. I have always been around business because of my father’s business and I didn’t allow the word “business” to scare me. I had the knowledge and experience thanks to my father and was ready to apply it. I began thinking about how I could do this and which direction I wanted to take the clothing business. The economy that we are in presently is not a great one and I realized a consignment business would be a great ticket. The town I live in ( Hattiesburg) did not have many and by the time I opened I was the only one for adults in Hattiesburg. I also was able to open the store and name the store “Mostly Macie’s” by beginning with “mostly” my things. Now I have 150 consignors and rapidly growing!

How does the consignment work?

I take clothes in by the current season and by appointment. I have a 60/40 policy where the consignor receives 40%. I do 50% off retail price on items that are brand new and 60% off on used items. I allow the consignor 90 days for their items on the floor and at the end of their 90 days they either donate their items to the store or take them back. If they are donated to the store I decide if the items are something I want to keep in the store for a longer amount of time. If not, I will donate to Christian services. I pay the consignors at the beginning of each month.

What do you love about fashion?

What I love about fashion is that it is the perfect way to show your personality and characteristics about yourself. Fashion is the perfect way to show your own style, taste, and be exactly who you are as well as what you are feeling. Fashion is creative and fun! I love to continue to watch the ideas designers are coming up with. There is nothing better than walking around in an outfit that is perfect for you. It can make your whole day a brighter day if you love what you have on!

What is the best part of owning your own store?

The best part of owning your own store is mingling with the customers and helping the customers to find what they are looking for. I get so excited when someone finds an expensive item in the store and they are so happy about getting a deal on the item. I would say the best part is the fulfillment you get from making the customers happy.

What is the worst or hardest thing about owning your own store?

Resale is a hardworking, time consuming, long hours job but definitely worth it. You have to be dedicated and passionate about what you are doing! At times people want to bargain prices with you and you have to decide if they are right or if you are right about the price. Picking the perfect price for an item can be time consuming at times and might require lots of research to find the original retail price.

Do you have a favorite item in the store?

The handbags and shoes have become my most favorite items in the store and they also have done the best in the store! I love the metallic PRADA handbag that was recently brought in. The COACH handbags have sold the best in the store! I love the PRADA shoes, Christian Louboutin shoes, Jimmy Choo, J. Crew etc. shoes!!

What are some future goals for the store?

Expansion. More stores in different locations. I also would love to go to market at some point and have a mixture of the gently used consignment items as well as hot, new, trendy items in the store! A goal is to continue to keep it upscale and organized! A major goal is to continue to keep the consignors happy and for the consignors to continue to make money!