I dig through thousands of items annually, probably even monthly, and find the jewels worthy of cleaning up, dusting off, sprucing up and ultimately sharing with people just like you.
I sell vintage clothes, and what began as a hobby in hoarding has evolved beautifully into a lesson in sustainability, history and the art of reinvention. It’s just as simple as taking what we have, honoring what it was and creating what it can be.
So with this company culture in mind, I was completely ecstatic when Strange Fruit Vintage was invited to participate in an innovative event to temporarily redevelop Broad Avenue into the street, community, arts district, and economic engine we’d like it to be permanently.
Truth be told, I have had a genuine love for Broad Avenue for years and many of my community investment experiences actually stem from this street. It’s almost eerie… when Memphis City Council proclaimed Broad Avenue as the Broad Avenue Arts District I was there; UrbanArt Commission, located on Broad, awarded me a public art project which was completed in 2008; I currently serve on the UAC’s Gateways Project Steering Committee which when complete will result in numerous public art projects throughout the city including one at Sam Cooper and East Parkway; NIA Artist Collective hosted our annual salon at the former MCA gallery space on Broad; and Strange Fruit Vintage held its very first and successful pop-up shop at Odessa also located on Broad Avenue.
I love this “Old Broad,” obviously, and I’m extremely excited about what an estimated 10,000 people will see her become for the two-day event, “A New Face for an Old Broad” being held November 19th and 20th.
On Broad Avenue, between Hollywood and Collins, every building will be occupied with approximately 30 Memphis area restaurants and retail businesses including Strange Fruit Vintage. There’s also two full days of music on the Facelift Music Main Stage, temporary bike lanes for your family and Saturday’s Broad Avenue Biker Babes Kid’s Parade with Congressman Steve Cohen serving as the Grand Marshal, art classes, murals, beverages and a skate park in partnership with Skatelife Memphis.
In my opinion, Broad Avenue, centrally located, artistically infused, locally owned, is one of our community’s many jewels that is worthy of cleaning up, dusting off, sprucing up and ultimately sharing with people just like you. Enjoy!
Should be a lot of fun! See you there Shalishah.
What a great testimonial from an artist & entrepreneur who has been part of the Broad Avenue rejuvenation for years — making it all the more apt that her vintage store will be there.
Aaron’s Skatelife Memphis will also be there, setting up a temporary skate park:
http://skatelifememphis.org/
For more information about this weekend, see the Broad Avenue website:
http://broadavearts.com/
There was also a good Commercial Appeal column by Anthony Siracusa describing the event:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/nov/08/broad-ave-facelift-puts-possibilities-into/