I live in Atlanta but travel through Jacksonville quite regularly for work. I always make a point…read moreto stop at the most unique area of town, 5 Points. Although Atlanta has some good boutiques, some of my favorite shops are right in this strip of stores. While from the street you may think that Violet is a pretty, bohemian boutique, don't let the merchandising fool you. I am an avid shopper and this store carries numerous items that I have seen on overstock.com, at outlets, and on designer sample sale websites. I am not sure how this store stocks lines like Hudson and AG with only a few styles. I have worked in the fashion industry and know that you must purchase a wide range of the line in order to sell it, not just 1 or 2 styles. One of my favorite lines ever is Calypso St. Barth. The beautiful dresses and scarves are to die for. Too bad that at Violet, everything is way past season (some pieces I've noticed were from 2006) and super marked up. I saw a super cute blue dress with a ruffle from Calypso but tried it on and the fit was off. I also thought it was something I had seen last season. I got curious so I called the company, who informed me that the dress I saw at Violet was an irregular that was only sold at the outlet in 2009 for $39! The retail price on the dress in Violet, right now, is $218!!!!!!!!!!!! They have never once sold to Violet and the Calypso representative also informed me that this wasn't the first call she had received and their attorneys were looking into the situation. I was appalled. Not matter how cute a store is, or how nice someone seems, you never know. To me, that discredits the whole boutique. It's greedy, it is deceiving to customers and it is simply unethical. I don't care how pretty the store looks from the outside (or inside). I refuse to support someone who is not playing the retail game fairly.

LOVES! Spending two…read moremonths in Jacksonville, Florida was something I never planned on.. that is until my work sent me here for two months. Yep. But I digress... I made my way down to Park St. today on lunch break today after being referred by a local when I mentioned seeking out thrift stores in the area... well please note, Violet has nothing to do with thrift stores and neither frankly, does the 5 points neighborhood it's situated in but that doesn't matter. What matters is this boutique was just what I needed. It's only been two days and I was feeling completely like a fish out of water until I wandered in here and started chatting it up with Texie (the owner) who made feel totally at home. She even made up a little list for me of all the local great food spots! But on to the goods... Texie carries a little of everything.. amazing clothing lines, jewelry lines (erica weiner, and my new fave- Sage), handbags, freaking awesome candles... and tons more. She really packs it in but be glad she does- all items are clearly thoughtfully and tastefully chosen. Coming from the Bay Area, with a plethora of local indie boutiques, I was still surprised by a couple of lines I had never seen before. Needless to say after only 20 minutes I walked out with less money, but in much better spirits. I scored an amazing new fragrance that I know I won't run into on anyone else (a incredibly yummy & nostalgic smelling body oil by Sage with notes of incense, amber, & coconut, kind of reminds me of high school!) and a sweet yet practical pair of fresh water pearl drop earrings.. nothing like retail therapy to beat the "I'm stuck in Florida for two months" blues! Though my wallet won't appreciate it, I will most certainly be back in the very near future.