Store Gossip

Readers, I have a lot of new store news to share with you. I also want to thank you for turning to Madison Magazine for all of the latest in everything Madison and this blog for shopping and store information ☺. These pictures up top are ones I snapped of Anthology, a new store that opened on State Street (keep reading, below!) Keep reading and I promise I’ll keep dishing on the exciting retail news I hear and shops I see every week. On to our news!

New and Nifty
I was reading the Isthmus the other week and noticed an ad looking for a store manager for a Goodwill store slated to open this spring on State Street. This store bills itself “featuring current fashion and hottest clothing trends, opening in early spring.” This is good news, and really fits in with next month’s “green” issue and our Green Expo on May 2–4 at the Alliant Energy Center.
Goodwill stores epitomize a couple of green concepts: reusing perfectly wearable clothing, pretty jewelry and gently-used housewares; and providing help for people with disabilities and other disadvantages in south central Wisconsin who really need it. A socially responsible business and a dose of shopping mixed in? It’s worth checking out. (P.S.: Did you know you can bid on Goodwill items online? See for yourself!

They’ve got one on famous shopping boulevard the Champs-Elysées in Paris and in tourist attraction Times Square in Manhattan and now—West Towne Mall in Madison. Sephora, the mega beauty retailer, is opening a store in summer 2008 at West Towne Mall. That’s right, we can get our beauty fix with a mind-boggling array of makeup, face care, hair care, fragrance and more. Two hundred and fifty brands including Christian Dior, Yves St. Laurent, Benefit, DuWop, Smashbox, Tarte and one of one of my favorites, the Sephora private label, will be there. If you’ve ever been to a Sephora store, the layout is open and spacious, the look sleek and best of all, prices are good (i.e. not overpriced) for these hot brands.
sephora.com

With warmer weather comes outdoor activities. (Okay, well it’s supposed to get warmer soon). Although I usually write about local retail, I thought I’d mention Gander Mountain is opening a new retail location at 6199 Metro Dr. This megastore (90,000 square feet to be exact!) will feature outdoor products, on-site gunsmith, marine services and repair, an archery lane, full service archery shop and more, according to a company press release. gandermountain.com

Greenway Station’s newly opened Bath & Body Works still has that new-store smell. More than likely though, it’s all of the delicious scents they tempt the nose with. One of Bath & Body Works' exciting lines is a skin-care line by dermatologist Patricia Wexler. I always see Wexler cited in beauty magazines like Allure and she’s a dermatologist to the stars among her many other accomplishments. Wexler's line range from $17.50–$150. Look for the new store next to the Sharper Image on Main Street.
bathandbodyworks.com

Aching for another home interior/home accessories shop to open up? Iconi will be opening up on West Washington Ave. next to Indocara. Formerly Jen Holien-Brewster’s vintage/consignment shop Epoch (see photo right; more on that later), owner Coni Marotz will carry Slip custom order lamps, Covet furniture, Envirosax reusable shopping bags, Bliss Living bedding and accessories (“it’s just just yummy,” she notes) and Eastern Accents home goods. Marotz’s lines will be unique to the Madison market.
Plus check out her array of vintage/revamped furniture and accessories like reupholstered furniture, vintage barware/glassware and artwork.
“It’s a real eclectic mix of products. I’m really trying to have a lot of reclaimed goods/things that are redone. It’s vintage furniture mixed in with the new and it really shows people how you can mix products together and reuse them so they’re not thrown out.”
I’m very excited for this shop and look forward to getting in as soon as possible!
Look for Iconi to open next week.
Iconi, 534 W. Washington Ave. 441-0077.

Changes ...
Speaking of Epoch, owner Jen Holien-Brewster (right) moved out of her West Washington Ave. space (see above) and is moving into Little Luxuries’ old space at 214 State St. The store is slated to open May 1.

Little Luxuries moved next door to Fanny Garver Gallery at 230 State St. The airy and open space boasts clear shelving, serene blue and green walls and the same great merchandise the shop has always carried. “Our lease was up and we found out this space was available,” says owner Janice Durand. “I had a store here years ago. Now we have more room and shelf space. We totally remodeled it and we wanted a new look.”



The two hundred block of State Street has yet another change: Anthology will be opening this weekend at 218 State St. in the former Twee & Luliloo space (see photos, above). Owner Sachi Komai tells me: “Anthology will be a paper and craft boutique with art supplies, craft kits, workshops and demonstrations. We will also feature a ‘Made in Madison’ section, picking up many of the crafters that The Glitter Workshop carried.” (See below about The Glitter Workshop).
Anthology’s concept sounds really neat: Komai will host weekly “Craft Lunches,” where customers can drop in from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays and pay $5–$7 to make cards, collages, buttons, et cetera. She’s also looking into hosting kids’ parties and will have workshops on embroidery, decoupage, Polaroid transfer and much more.
Epoch, 214 State St.
Little Luxuries, 230 State St. 255-7372.
Anthology, 218 State St.

Event News
Check out the HospiceCare Thrift Store Fashion Show Luncheon. I went to this event last year and was very impressed with the cute outfits the thrift store employees coordinated. The money goes to a great cause and attendees get to see a fashion show! I mean, that beats my lunch hour every day, agreed?
Learn about the HospiceCare Thrift Store and check out the cool stuff the store gets in.
Thursday, April 10, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Holiday Inn-West, 1109 Fourier Dr. $35/person. HospiceCare Thrift Store, 122 Junction Rd. 833-4556. hospicecareinc.com

“Back to Basics” event at PREP Cosmetics
Pamper yourself and head over to PREP for a professional makeup application by one of Napoleon Perdis’ makeup artists. Napoleon Perdis cosmetics and skin care is regularly featured in top beauty magazines and TV shows. Plus, the winner of Australia’s Next Top model is the face of the makeup line. Who doesn’t love the American version, America’s Next Top Model, with Miss Tyra?!
PREP Cosmetics, 553 State St. 442-3366. prepcosmetics.com

Indocara is having a March Madness sale and some items are up to sixty percent off. Check it out!
Indocara, 540 W. Washington Ave. 251-7711. "http://www.Indocara.com" target="new">indocara.com

Closings
The Glitter Workshop at 920 E. Johnson St.

Pink Panties at 449 State St.

Mary Parker of daffodil parker told me recently that she and business partner Erin Daffodil Hickey are going to focus exclusively on their floral business and close down the retail part of the business. Customers can still get in touch with Hickey and Parker if they’re interested in florals.
daffodil parker, 502 W. Main St. 663-2100. daffodilparker.com