Darley Street: Season Two, Episode Three – Are We Fashionable Yet?
By Steve Gray
Previous Episodes
Are We Fashionable Yet?
It had been a long while since the shop across from Sally’s bookstore had been looked at, but today there was some ‘Movement at the Station.’
Rec spotted that Gail was opening the front door with a fashionably attired lady in tow. He called out to Sally. ‘Hey Sal, things are brewing…’
Yep, Rex was right, someone was being shown the shop on the corner.
By the afternoon a sign went up , a slash across the door, ‘Leased’.
The ‘Facey Page’ lit up, Gail mentioned it would be a fashion boutique with ‘Poppy’ the proprietor at the helm.
It would be a few weeks yet, but things should start to happen soon, fit outs and all that.
The fit out crew didn’t bother much with covering the windows, they simply got on with the job, a new floor, clothing racks, a re-paint, fitting rooms and a smart counter.
Signage went up last, ‘Cloe’s Fashions’ People wondered about the name and Poppy later pointed out that it caught people’s attention, most mentally wanted to add in a ‘h’ to make it Chloe’s fashions. She liked that it played on people’s minds.
The opening day was on a Saturday, the local businesses got an invite to a mid afternoon, champagne and nibbles offering, which was well attended, the staff pushed some of the rocks out of the way and the venue was now buzzing with local proprietors and their staff.
Poppy introduced herself, ‘Poppy Le Grange.’ and her staff. Wendy, Blanche and Mary. All were kitted out in high end fashions and sported cheery smiles and were well spoken Sally thought.
The afternoon ended quickly enough, most of the shops had operated on skeleton staff for the afternoon, it turned out that apart from the new store opening in the morning, that the street was enjoying a quiet afternoon.
Poppy put a profile on the ‘Facey Page’ along with a ‘fetching’ photo of her team. Holly at Chapter Two Books mentioned to Sally that it looked like a scene out of that ‘Prada film’.
Christe Minns and Wayne turned up in the next week to check out this new store, both were wowed by its presence and fashion offerings, nothing low end here.
Soren and Rex noted the number of customers that were now entering the neighbourhood, more high end vehicles and parking becoming an issue. Dan liked the new influx of customers, it turns out they also liked to buy flowers, and not the cheaper bunches either.
Tom noted more requests for alternative milks and a greater interest in gluten free cakes.
Poppy was there in the shop for the first week, then left her staff to run things after that, with occasional visits to see that all was in order. Sally noted that she was always impeccably presented from top to bottom. It got her thinking about how she presented and although, ‘clean neat and tidy’, perhaps she could present with a little more pride.
The same with her store. Soren, Bahan and Rex helped to discuss how the shop presented, especially at the front. Ideas flowed and things started to move, some fresh signage, more room to move, and featured books that people might not normally come across.
Bahan cleaned the windows on the inside, the outside ones were done regularly by a contractor. Sally sorted out her wardrobe at home and apart from the dress up costumes she used for special occasions she added a few new items to the mix. Adding to that a new hairstyle and she felt like a million dollars.
Holly at the other bookstore noted the new look and was most impressed.
Karen at Gails Accounting, made a comment in passing Sally on the street one morning, mentioning that all sweepers at the front of the stores should present this way. ‘Rather swish’ was her finishing comment. Sally smiled and said ‘thanks.’
A few comments went up on the ‘Facey Page’ about how the shops were becoming more upmarket. Concerned more about their presentation. Artie added that his crew had also started to clean up their act and change their window display. A few others mentioned similar things, noting they didn’t realise how dirty their windows were.
Cloe’s fashions had unknowingly added to the positive vibe of the street which was a nice thing to have happened
The Girls from Cloe’s Fashions were starting to get out and about after a few days Sally’s bookstore had certainly caught their attention, its quaint old style presentation where people could peer through the small square windows at the front.
Each came on their own to ‘sneak a peek’ at what was on offer. Soren was pleased to chat to the girls, Sally was out and about. He filled in Wendy, Blanche and Mary with the details of what they had and what made the bookstore special.
Poppy dropped in the next week and found some items she felt would add to her mix of things at her home. She loved items which had a background story, an item found in some far flung place on the planet where an ancient tribe chased down Missionaries whose ideas they didn’t like the sound of.
No two days were the same in Darley Street; people come, and people go. This time it was loaded with fashionable surprises.
Stay tuned for the next episode of Darley Street!
More from Steve Gray
Steve writes with passion and intrigue, aiming to inspire and or raise awareness of topics. His poetry can take abstract turns, and his 'Odd Angry Writes' on his website are sure to turn heads with his aggressive approach to topics.
A background in Art and Design, as well as teaching, often gives his written pieces a unique creative perspective.
Like many, he is an ADHD person with some neurodiverse edges. A bunch of E books under his belt and some honourable mentions in the Geelong Writers Group puts his work in good standing.
