FLORAL PARK MARKET - ATLANTA, GA

When traveling to and fro cross-country with my dad, my mom always finds the most fun things to do along the route.  I am amazed at her ability to unearth activities that so exactly coordinate with the timing of their travels.  Most people find it hard to find things to do within their own city, let alone other cities!  

HER SECRET IS CLIPPING ARTICLES FROM THE NEWSPAPER OR BOOKMARKING WEBSITES AND SAVING THEM UNTIL THE TIME IS RIGHT.

Anyone that has met me, knows my moms love for seeking out new experiences must have rubbed off as I frequently write down upcoming events in my planner in case the urge strikes for a new adventure and you can often find me at pie making classes, networking events, art and music festivals, brewery tours, or hiking on a new trail.  Events 12 is by far my favorite Atlanta site to visit.  The rolling twelve month calendar of things to do is the most comprehensive I have found.  Also, while many of the other sites focus on large attractions, Events 12 is inclusive of events in smaller towns as well.  I also get the Creative Loafing daily email, which alerts you of five things to do each day.  The focus leans primarily towards music and art happenings with the events section on the physical site a little more well rounded.  Event Brite is great for networking gatherings and events individuals are trying to market.

One of my latest Atlanta excursions came about from old school marketing (aka a flyer that was dropped off at my work). "Fresh flowers" caught my eye so I snatched the bright yellow paper up and brought it home to where it sat for a few weeks. Finally a few Saturdays ago, I ventured to check out the Floral Park Market and I'm so glad I did!

It's right around the corner from my house and offers local/organic produce and eggs, prepared meals and lunches, fresh flowers, and birch poles/sheets as well as pottery for events or decorating in your own home (775 Trabert Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318; open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm and Sat 9:30am-3pm).

Owner, James Olsen, founded Floral Park Market in 1999 as a wholesale business to supply primarily  event planners and venues.  

HE SO GRACIOUSLY ANSWERED SOME QUESTIONS I HAD ON CARING FOR FRESH CUT FLOWERS. STAY TUNED! 

READ SHOP - ATLANTA, GA

A few weeks ago, I enjoyed a day of exploring with Christina Kwan from Tide & Bloom.  Part of our adventure took us just north of Atlanta to Vinings Jubilee.  We halted in our tracks when happening upon Read Shop..."What is this adorable place?!!," we said.  No surprise, it happens to be from the same visionary behind The Merchant, one of my favorite shops in Atlanta.  

With dark navy walls, leather seating, antique tables, and ladders for reaching top shelf books, Read Shop feels as if you've stumbled into a friends library.  Filled with a curated assortment of owner Dan Collier's favorite books, hand-picked selections, and NY Times best sellers, alongside a few thoughtful giftables and greeting cards, the shop evokes the same love for paper goods as The Merchant and Archer Paper Goods, while remaining its own delightful concept all the same.

The bookstore also boasts a coffee shop brewing Stumptown Coffee, an amazing company that supports coffee producers by forming partnerships with them through regular visits, implementing new techniques, identifying and investing in future producers, and paying a fair wage (you can read their story here).

What Dan Collier concept isn't complete without branded cups I'd love to buy in bulk?

Above the seating area is an inventive "chandelier" of books.

Owner Dan Collier has over 20 years experience as a wholesaler at the AmericasMart with the Daniel Richards showroom (which has recently expanded) and successful retail locations including The Merchant (on both the Westside and at Krog Street Market), Collier Candy Company, and Archer Paper Goods (both at Ponce City Market).  Dan is truly an inspirational entrepreneur and so I reached out to him to ask a few questions, which he so graciously answered.

Where do you glean inspiration to keep your assortments fresh and unique both in your retail locations and established showroom at the mart?

In truth we/I get inspiration from everywhere - social media, print mags, tv, word of mouth, and trade shows.  I question and listen to what our employees have to say about trends and I look to our manufacturers to set new trends.  And finally, my intuition speaks to me about what is trending up and down and I go with that most often.

With so many different facets of your business, what are some of your favorite tools to stay organized?

I'm old school by keeping things organized.  I have one of our assistant managers come into my office every couple of weeks and he files all of our orders, paperwork, etc.... And, I like to make piles of paperwork and catalogs, leads, etc.  Then, I go through and edit what I don't really need.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to a budding entrepreneur?

Owning your own business is all consuming.  You have to be willing to work, work, work.  I built this business on 14 hour work days, weeks without a day off, and making our business the single most important thing I do everyday.  Sometimes, I do take a day off and I do go on holiday...but because I'm more interested in producing, being away from work is not a priority.  I take great joy in working, and I love the people that I work with, It's fun for me.

What is your favorite travel destination, either for relaxation or creative insight?

London is my favorite place to go for both.  I go in September every year for Top Drawer and it's a great escape.

The Merchant, Read Shop, Archer Paper Goods, and Collier Candy Company all have a vintage feel.  Can you share a little about the direction for the Collier Department Store planned at the urban renewal project on Memorial Drive?

The department store will look and feel like nothing else we have done.  There will be no vintage, it will not have the same lines that our other stores have, it will have totally new offerings that we have not dabbled in the past.

Are there any future plans to create an online storefront?

We have just recently beefed up our online presence.  You can find our online store at shopthemerchant.com.  We are adding new product everyday!!

Read Shop is located at 4300 Paces Ferry Road SE Suite 125, Atlanta, GA 30339.  Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday 7am - 6 pm and Sunday 8am - 5pm, Contact: 678.742.7853.  You can also visit a "mini" version of Read Shop at Krog Street Market near the front entrance.  Follow Read Shop on instagram here.

*The urban renewal project at the old Atlanta Dairies Cooperative at 777 Memorial Drive is a mix of shopping, dining, office space, apartments, music venue (from the owners of the Georgia Theatre and Variety Playhouse), as well as "The Yard," over an acre of outdoor space for events and to relax, set to open late 2017.  Collier's Department Store is anticipated to be 10,000 sf with "a focus on everyday conveniences like cosmetics and personal care, baby and kids, furniture, denim and workfare for men and women, home decor, confections, stationery, and books" (from What Now Atlanta).  We can't wait!

HANK + HUNT

Today felt like my birthday or Christmas or some really special day! The wonderful Jenny over at Hank + Hunt interviewed me and did a shop feature for her new weekly post called "Wonderful Wednesday." You can read the full post here.

You know when you meet someone that really touches you? Well, that's how I feel about Jenny. She has always been extremely supportive of me and my shop and it really meant a lot to me that she would want to interview me for her blog...I have never been interviewed before! If you've ever read her blog, you know she is a completely genuine and kind person who cares so much about her family, friends, and her own passions. She can also throw together a party like it's nothing...how cute is this first day of preschool party that she whipped up in literally 2 1/2 hours!...


I love what she said about the party..."It could have been fancier. It could not have been more special." That's what I mean about Jenny...she's just a sweetheart and cares so much about others. And, check out this 1/2 birthday party she created for her sister in law...




To make it super easy, she gave her mock party pics so she could just take it out of the box, add some baked goods and snacks from her local grocer and voila! Instant party. She even made multiples of the custom onesies in case Harry got into the cake. You love Jenny by now, right?...She never misses an opportunity to think of someone else.

Even though I've been in my house for 5 years, because I traveled over three weeks of the month with my last job it still looks like I just moved in! Now that I am home full-time, I am hoping to start decorating and making it nice and cozy around here. I have been eyeing one of Jenny's handmade fabric garlands for a beautiful addition above my bed...




I could always use it when a party comes around, but these are too beautiful not to be out every day!