Arizona Foothills
Pulished on June 6, 2012
Shop Modern Vintage
If I’m ever looking for a unique and refreshing sartorial piece with an old-fashioned flair, Frances is certain to be at the top of my no-one-else-will-have-this list.
The eclectic 10 W. Camelback Road boutique carries a medley of men’s, women’s and baby apparel, accessories, vintage wares, paper goods and even pet merchandise. Inside the black and white brick building is a whimsical wonderland: handmade jewelry artfully hangs on tree branches, a playful miniature chandeliercomposed of miniature Kelly-like dolls floats overhead and a wide bedecked chalkboard dangles behind the stickered register.
Arizona Foothills
Pulished on May 5, 2012
Women Who Move the Valley 2012
WHEN WANTING TO FILL A SWEETS or shopping craving, locals look no further than Frances and Smeeks, two adjoining one-of-a-kind shops tucked away in Central Phoenix. “[In Frances] I really wanted to bring items in that I loved. I love home items, I love accessories, clothing and style,” founder and owner Georganne Bryant says, “and I have a quirky sense of style and humor, so Smeeks is everything that embodies that part of me.” Frances—named after her grandmother—opened its doors in 2006 as partly a vintage shop, but as the business grew and more time was being spent on restoring vintage wear, Bryant decided to house boutique items from local and national designers instead.
The Republic
Pulished on March 19, 2012
Best Gift Boutique: Frances
If you need a fail-safe place to find that perfect gift for your best friend, stop here. Frances stocks an eclectic, cool and artful array of cards, soy candles, clothing, accessories, jewelry, baby gifts and even shoes.
If you’re a fan of Toms Shoes, you’ll find them here, along with plenty of jewelry (some by local artisans) at almost any price range. Stationery, home accessories and Table Topics cards are other popular gifts.
Even better, Frances offers complimentary gift wrapping in its signature bags and boxes with satin ribbons.
Funky-shop owner, risk-taker, community builder
Pulished on December 14, 2011
The word “boutique” makes Georganne Bryant’s skin crawl. She thinks it’s too snooty, too loaded, too connected to the pristine retail palaces of Los Angeles and Paris — stores that couldn’t be further from the grounded funkiness of her Phoenix shop, Frances.
She may have a point. This past May, with the country still recovering from recession, Frances became more than a boutique, expanding its collection of shoes, handbags and jewelry into an empty storefront next door. Bryant called the space Frances Studio, creating a place that could change its retail focus at a moment’s notice. In mid-November, it became a holiday-decor and gift shop.
“Who knows what it will be next year?” Bryant says. “I believe in moving forward. I’m a risk-taker, and, despite the state of the economy, I’ve got to stay positive for my employees and for myself and my family and the community.”
Frances Crafeteria Tonight
Pulished on December 2, 2011
Frances and Smeeks Host 6th Annual Indie Crafeteria tonight from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at Frances Vintage in Phoenix. This year’s event features over 45 local creative crafters, showcasing their 100% homemade goods. Also onsite for eats will be Short Leash Hot Dogs, sweets from local confectioner Tracy Dempsey, Urban Cookies and many more! Next door neighbor, Stinkweeds, will provide live entertainment from Tetra String Quartet. And the newest to the Frances’ family, the Frances Studio, will be debuting as a new holiday shop this evening.
Get in the holiday spirit with this amazing night of shopping from Frances, Smeeks, Frances Studio, Stinkweeds Records, Halo Piercing and Jewelry and all of the talented local vendors!
Frances Crafeteria | 10 W Camelback Road | Phoenix, AZ 85013 | 602-279-5467
