A new trend sweeping the nation is to have multiple mini-businesses selling out of one shop, with many people sharing the high cost of maintaining a brick and mortar storefront. Greensboro is following that trend. Downtown, we have Elements Gallery and Design Archives Emporium. Aubrey Home on Old Battleground, Daisy's Designer's Alley on Battleground Avenue, and Artemis and the Scavengers on Guilford College Road are all examples of the concept. Another new kid on the block, featured above, is Rustic Romance, located in the heart of Irving Park at 1680 Pembroke Road.
Owner, Lynn Mackay, runs the shop with nearly two dozen artists who help her keep the store stocked and who work the floor. Lynn has a beauty shop in the back of the art/consignment store and will color, cut, curl your hair. You can enjoy looking around the store while you are waiting to get your hair done. After a few minutes of talking to Lynn, you get the feeling you are talking to a long-time friend. When we were there on Saturday, Lynn's bulldog, Lilly, was there to keep everyone company. In the above photo, you see Lilly relaxing on an armchair at the end of a long day when all was quiet and Lynn had a minute to start closing the shop.
Hanging around Lynn feels a little like Steel Magnolias with the bond you make with all of the people coming and going from Lynn's shop. We all have difficulties in our lives; however, some people just have a way of peeling away the clouds and basking in the sunshine. Lynn is one of those people. By the way, You may remember Lynn back when she had the Painted Daily in Quaker Village. Different store, different bulldog, same welcoming vibe.
My kinda place. Could spend hours poking around in corners looking for a treasure to take home.
Posted by: Oakland Daily Photo | Tuesday, December 04, 2012 at 12:08 PM
That stuffed dog looks real. :-)
Posted by: Hugh | Tuesday, December 04, 2012 at 01:02 PM
I like collective shops and this is a great idea with the beauty shop in back, browsing through all those lovely things would be a great way to wait.
I would spend all my time with the charming Lily though!
She is a cutie face.
Posted by: Janis of So Cal | Tuesday, December 04, 2012 at 04:23 PM