| Wednesday, April 7, 2004 A treasure chest in TyroneBy ELLIE WHITE-STEVENS It’s the sort of window display you might expect to see while boutiqueing in Boston. Bright spring linens in tasty shades of lemon yellow, orange, red and watermelon pink drape over drawers in an armoire artfully arranged with coordinating glassware and pottery. But this isn’t Boston, it’s Tyrone. In an on-the-way-to-everywhere location, the Velvet Tassel opened nearly two months ago, next to the new Publix on Ga. Highway 74. Mere minutes from Fayetteville, at Peachtree City’s gateway to the world, The Velvet Tassel is already drawing in customers eager to add beauty to their lives. Co-owners Noreen Perret and Jennifer Flanigan couldn’t be happier. “Jennifer and I are trying to create the whole experience, pleasing all the senses,” said Perret. While the Velvet Tassel experience begins with an eye candy display at the door, it continues inside. This is no cluttered gift shop. Your eye can feast on pyramid Bella Cucina gourmet food in one corner, mellow, yet luxurious, custom bedding and furniture in the other. The look of the store can be accredited to the talents of its owners. Perret brought to the partnership 16 years of corporate retail management experience. Most recently she oversaw 100 retail locations, training their managers. Flanigan came from a marketing background. “I was laid off at Cooper Lighting six months ago,” she said. “It was the best thing that could have happened to me. By the next day, Noreen and I were calling about this retail location.” Together, Perret and Flanigan make a formidable decorating duo. They handpick their merchandise, and set up each selection in their store. What are their customers loving? “We can’t keep our jewelry in stock,” said Perret. She continues, “And people are placing orders for our monogrammed handbags.” “We have custom bedding,” added Flanigan. “It’s great quality and unique fabric styles and patterns.” One customer told Flanigan, “We’ve been waiting a long time for a store like this.” It’s not just a great selection of merchandise displayed to perfection. Perret and Flanigan are convinced that beautiful items for the home need not cost a fortune. The Velvet Tassel offers imported linens starting at $2.95. The same patterns are sold elsewhere in Peachtree City for four times the cost. And they boast the lowest prices in the area on Bella Cucina gourmet food. Out of this world artichoke dip, pesto, jams; the whole Bella Cucina line is available. “Watch for special promotions on Bella Cucina, and on our candle and spa lines,” said Flanigan. Soon the savvy shopper will find deals on these and other products at the Velvet Tassel. In addition to home accents, such as glassware, framed art and garden items, the Velvet Tassel carries a line of baby and children’s heirloom gifts. Sterling silver rattles make their home among keepsake birthday hats and supersoft baby blankets. They also carry collegiate decor, and selections from local folk artist Tina Simpson, who produces a line of bright and playful animated animal artwork and clocks. Flanigan and Perret each have their favorite items to recommend to customers. Four times in as many weeks, Perret has had to reorder throw pillows. “I love the colors, the quality and the price.” Flanigan’s favorite is the chef rabbit. A large, handpainted, limited edition, numbered ceramic, the rabbit has a story. One much like it was on silent auction a year ago at Perret’s church. Flanigan wanted it, but was outbid, in spite of her goodnatured attempts to disuade other bidders. “Now we carry them in our store,” she said. At the Velvet Tassel’s grand opening, Perret’s pastor, Father Vic of St. Matthew Catholic Church, blessed the store. And they are seeing blessings come to fruition. “We had a customer take two steps in the door and say, ‘I hope you realize you have a goldmine here.’ After looking around the customer added that the area needed something like this,” said Perret. Noreen Perret and Jennifer Flanigan enjoy working in their hometown. They are neighbors, with less than a five-minute commute from their Tyrone homes. Seasonally, the Velvet Tassel carries Easter basket items, including full spa product and candle baskets for grownups. Perret encourages bosses to call to order custom gift baskets for their administrative staff for Secretaries Day April 21. “We can take price ranges and phone orders to build beautiful baskets,” said Flanigan. For more information or directions to the Velvet Tassel, call 678-870-0707.
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