Because my friend Jennifer Davis is waiting so long to get her online store launched, I thought I’d go ahead and talk about her fabulous shop, PRIZE, as this may get her motivated!
A little history…I first met Jennifer at the corner of Green & Laguna in San Francisco over 10 years ago at one of her infamous Shabby Chic garage sales (come on now, it was the early 90’s). I remember contemplating if I should purchase a $10 floral hooked rug and stressing out over it.
Jen always had a knack for style and merchandising as evident from her Berkeley, San Francisco, and current shop in Ashland, Oregon. She and her former business partner Christina were one of the first to make popular: vintage trophies, globes, school maps, flash cards, hotel silver, French curiosities, garden animals and so much more. She often rented out her collections to Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware for prop display in catalogs.
I’ve always admired Jen’s style and have enjoyed our friendship, too. We’ve done the traveling circuit from a hotel silver buying trip in Oklahoma City, to scouting for antiques in Chicago. It’s always an adventure with Jennifer and that includes some impromptu gambling trips to Reno and Tahoe. Little secret… she can’t stay away from the craps table.
About four years ago, Jennifer sold her shop in San Francisco and she and her husband headed for her hometown in Ashland, Oregon. She opened up her third PRIZE (3x the size of the SF store!) and has added more merchandise, jewelry, furniture and a fabulous candy counter. I had the pleasure of visiting her shop and it’s really something in person.
I love it because it’s so eclectic. There are French beaded basket chandeliers hanging above framed vintage flash cards, delicate diamond jewelry next to Italian candies, a modern tufted chair next to an old cement camel table, and somehow, it all works. I always know I’ll leave with a “prize.” If only that perfect little black Chiavari chair didn’t have a NFS (not for sale) tag on it!
If you’re traveling through Southern Oregon, please be sure to visit PRIZE. Ashland is a charming town with a year-round Shakespeare festival, great restaurants, and a perfect place to stay, the Ashland Springs Hotel.
PRIZE
264 East Main Street
Ashland, Oregon 97520
(541) 482-0345
hours:
Monday-Saturday 10:00-5:30
Sunday: 11:00-5:00
prizeshoppe.com (don’t get frustrated…her merchandise will be available for purchase soon)
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