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Enter the fabulous world of Glamour Puss, once a drab old office space with green walls, and you will find yourself in a deliciously decorated showroom, complete with pink and blue spatters on the floor, stylized text scrawled across a wall and gold and silver stars adorning the windows. After rounding the small shop, oohing and ahhing over the selection of accessories, purses, jewelry and shoes, have a seat in one of the stylishly modern lounge chairs. The concept behind the store is "bling on a budget." While Coe does stock some mainstream lines, she "tries to find underground designers."
In the back of the store hide two treasures for anyone trying to glam it up -- a room set aside for makeup application and waxing and a room full of heads. Heads topped with wigs, that is. Ranging from $19 to $2,000, a person can go long, short, blonde, brunette, or what have you. "For someone sick of looking the way they used to, this is the place to come," says Coe. "Even if [they want a change] just for the night."
1800 Camden Road, Suite 101, 704-334-2426
– Kimberly Lawson
Jeffre Scott Apothecary: Whether you have a Ph.D. in product or could use a crash course in beauty basics, Jeffre Scott Apothecary, the Providence Road boutique Scott opened last October with co-owner Charlton Alicea, has clients covered from the tip of their heads to the soles of their feet. Focusing on customer education, Scott has created an oasis of unique, all-natural wares, and the kind of attention to detail that harkens back to the genteel era when customer service was an elegant art. The pristine ambiance belies a broad array of merchandise for every member of the family -- including Fido (check out K #9 Eau de Pawfume and the Isle of Dogs Canine Grooming System).
- Angus Lamond
- BOUTIQUE-LICIOUS: Jeffre Scott Apothecary
At the personal fragrance station (Scott was responsible for creating the signature ribbon box testers that allow customers to sample scents on cloth, rather than directly on the skin), alluring creations of Paris perfumer Mona DiOrio -- as in Dior -- share shelf space with Hilda Soliani's enchanting bouquets from Parma, and organic aromas from Patyka and Earthworks. Also offered are JIMMYJANE's layerable essential oils: Charm, Wit and Kink. With notes of tobacco and whiskey, "Kink is a one-night stand in a bottle," Alicea quips.
Men's selections include the Destination Nation line and shaving products from True Gentlemen and John Allan's. Women will swoon over makeup from Skin Alison Raffaele™, Susan Posnick and Wallett. April 19 from 4 to 6 p.m., gals are invited to "Toast Your Pout" with lip makeovers from Wallett's Victoria Lubvich. (Purchase two Wallett items, and get a free champagne lip gloss, plus a glass of bubbly to toast your new look.)
Other fab finds: Shane Talbott organic tea, XELA essential oil reed diffusers and soy candles; 100 percent organic bath, body and hair care lines, such as fair trade pioneer Inara®, Zona, Uvavita (made with antioxidant grape seeds courtesy of the Coppola family vineyards); Australia's No. 1 skincare line, Dr. Lewinn's; Philip B. hair care products; and JIMMYJANE massage candles (choose from Habañero + Grapefruit, Ginger + Date and Lychee + Lapsang). Light. Melt. Extinguish. Drip. Rub ... Mmm.
607 Providence Road (next to the Manor Theatre), 704-339-0010
– Judy Cole
RESTAURANTS
- Chris Radok
- SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN: Customshop
Customshop: The 66-seat Customshop has opened in developer Clay Grub's deja new Elizabeth. At the helm of this restaurant is David Pasternack, the winner of the 2004 James Beard Award for best chef in New York and a partner with Mario Batali in Esca, a southern Italian seafood trattoria in Manhattan (Esca means bait in Italian). He's joined by Charlotte-based restaurant consultant John Sergi; chef and Johnson & Wales graduate (Charleston 1996) Trey Wilson, who was the Executive Chef at Dean and Deluca Philips Place for six years; and former wine distributor J.J. Levine. Pasternack also helped open David Bouley's TriBeCa and was Terrance Brennan's chef de cuisine at Picholine. Wilson describes the menu as Lupa (another Manhattan Batali restaurant -- this one is a Roman-style trattoria) with a twist, but prefers that the food (described as French Italian) not be labeled. The space is small, but the bar is set for additional service. This is Pasternack's first restaurant outside of Manhattan and is a result of his friendship with Sergi. Entrees at Customshop are priced $20 or less and Wilson plans to use local growers. Front of the house manager is Lindsey Cook. Hours are Monday through Wednesday 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 5:30 p.m. until midnight. The restaurant is currently closed on Sunday but lunch and Sunday brunch will follow.
1601 Elizabeth Ave., 704-333-3396.
– Tricia Childress
Sticky Fingers: The line was not only out the door, but traffic was jammed on Johnston Road at I-485 to herald the opening of 172-seat Sticky Fingers on Thursday, March 8. Sticky Fingers is a legendary barbecue restaurant headquartered in Charleston and is known for its Memphis-styled barbecue ribs. Since Charleston and its surrounding beach areas are summer destinations for a large number of Charlotteans, the arrival of Sticky Fingers was happily anticipated. Folks were lined up out the door and into the parking lot by 4:30 p.m. the first Saturday they were open. A second location will open next month near the Concord Mills Mall. Barbecue pork ribs can be ordered with a Memphis-style dry rub or the following sauces: Memphis Style Wet, Carolina Sweet (a classic South Carolina mustard-based sauce), Tennessee Whiskey, or Habañero Hot. The sauces have been available at area grocery stores for some time. New to the menu is a beef brisket and gone from the menu is the Key Lime and Oreo pies. Cree Parker is the operating partner of the Charlotte shop. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
