Shop Talk
OPENINGS
Ashley Watten and Sarah Leafgren have turned pop-up success at The Shops at Clearfork into a year-long lease. Photo courtesy of Collins + Conley
Collins + Conley new to Clearfork
A locally owned online boutique selling clothes, shoes, accessories and gifts for babies and children has opened a brick-and-mortar at The Shops at Clearfork in Fort Worth. The bright and airy space next to Tiffany’s, typically used for short-term pop-ups, is lined in fashions frilly to bohemian to soft little preppie numbers for girls and boys. Named for the first children of owners, besties and sister-in-laws Ashley Watten and Sarah Leafgren, the shop is the realization of a dream also shared by Ashley’s parents, Craig and Denise Leafgren. It’s a close family and connecting the dots is complicated good fun — Sarah is married to Ashley’s brother and the two couples literally live back fence-to-back fence in Fort Worth. Craig and Denise live in Roanoke. Look for cuddly infant and gauzy play clothes plus a few fancy duds, too, along with baby and kids gifts, toys, hair bows and shoes, all from lines that the growing Leafgren/Watten families love. We also are fans of Pink Chicken, Firsts by Petit Lem and Angel Dear, and who doesn’t love cuddle + kind knit toys and WeeFarers for tots. Two successful pop-ups led to a year’s run at Clearfork while maintaining the successful 2-year-old e-commerce site. “We loved getting the opportunity to meet our customers in person and build connections, hear their stories, and meet their little ones. Sarah and I are very passionate about building a community of moms, and having a brick-and-mortar space allows us to create and host events for moms and families, which we think is extremely important especially post-COVID, when everyone is craving connection,” Ashley says.
The Shops at Clearfork, 5229 Monahans Ave., Fort Worth, 817-841-9156, collinsandconley.com
Trophy Blooms branches out
A rack holding buckets of blooms ready to be made into simple or elaborate arrangements greets you at Trophy Blooms Floral Couture & Events, recently transplanted to Southlake Town Square following a six-year run in Trophy Club. Florals and potted plants aside, the shop’s retail offerings may seed interest in those without a green thumb, too. Look for the black-and-white mural (painted by owner-designer Madeline Ricketts’ sister) that serves as a dramatic backdrop for shelves of botanical jewelry, cards crafted of plantable seeded paper, handcarved hearts made by fair-trade artists in Kenya and more giftables. Trophy Blooms also is available for weddings and special events.
Southlake Town Square, 335 N. Carroll Ave., 817-271-0250, trophyblooms.com
Photo courtesy of Trophy Blooms
Clothing and accessories for men, women, teens and kids are part of the store’s mix. Photo by Meda Kessler
Saint Bernard Southlake: Big, fun and full of goodies
An in-house coffee bar is a good idea for a shop diverse enough to interest the whole family and likely to inspire an extended visit. Grab a nitro cold brew and explore the spacious former Pier 1 space that has been transformed into a shopper’s delight with clothing and accessories for men, women and children. There’s casual wear along with beach attire, including swimsuits. Notable brands appeal to a wide range of ages and include Rebecca Minkoff, Loeffler Randall, Velvet and Aviator Nation. For men, there’s Barbour, Mizzen+Main, Faherty Brand, On shoes and more. There are giftables galore, too, plus we stocked up on Compagnie de Provence hand soaps and creams for this summer’s hostess gifts.
Shops of Southlake, 1275 E. Southlake Blvd., 817-329-0322, saintbernard.com