Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Davis.
Jenny, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
byrd+bleecker is Fort Worth’s premier style-forward stationery and gift shop, and since it opened nearly a decade ago, it’s maintained its early connection to lower Manhattan (yes, it’s THAT Bleecker) and to the best paper and design sources around the world. As the fashion editor of Indulge, the luxury magazine of the Fort Worth Star Telegram, I had been writing about the shop for years (and also was a frequent customer!). When I found out that the owner was selling the business, I jumped at the chance to purchase it.
My goal was to continue its reputation for unparalleled design innovation and exclusivity in custom invitations and social stationery and to train the merchandise mix toward fashion, specifically modern statement accessories designed or made exclusively by women.
I re-opened the shop in February, 2017, and filled it with a carefully curated mix of jewelry, evening bags and fashion books. I also refined the approach to paper goods, focusing on custom designs and artisanal processes like letterpress and engraving. I relied heavily on my contacts in publishing and fashion – I’ve been a writer, editor and fashion stylist for 20 years, and I’ve worked as a fashion stylist for a decade, attending fashion weeks every year and working with designers and showrooms in New York and Los Angeles. I also travel extensively to write about resorts, tours, food and fashion, and I’ve connected with designers around the world to bring their pieces to Fort Worth.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I bought the shop, it was essentially a career change. Nearly every wedding invitation we do is highly custom, and in those early months, I figured out generally how to get it all done, I just didn’t exactly understand how expensive it was going to be. I have to admit, the first few brides I worked with got amazing deals on their wedding invitations because I had no idea what to charge them!
I’ve also had to learn a lot about the nuts and bolts of running a business — about boring things like inventory tracking systems and frustrating things like fixing paper jams and changing air conditioning filters.
Please tell us about byrd+bleecker.
byrd+bleecker specializes in bespoke social stationery and invitations, modern statement accessories and fashion books. Nearly every accessory we carry is handmade or designed by a woman artist, and we carry independent brands from local and international labels.
Sometimes, it’s easier to describe what you won’t find at byrd+bleecker: no chevron, no fringe, no chalkboard lettering, no burlap, no agates and nothing that says “rose all day.”
Here’s what you will find:
On the stationery and invitation side, we work with artisan presses, specialty paper suppliers, independent graphic designers, fine artists and talented calligraphers . If you can dream it, my team can create it. Often the process isn’t fast, and it isn’t inexpensive, but if you love amazing design and artisan paper, we’re the place.
On the retail side, I am proud to be working with so many amazing women makers, and this shop carries lines that you can only find in boutiques like The Webster, Kirna Zabate, Grange Hall and Net-a-Porter. I rarely purchase more than a few of any one design, so when it’s sold through, it’s gone. When it comes to books, we have titles dedicated to icons ranging from Tom Ford to Amanda Lepore.
The shop itself is fun and colorful — I have a striped carpet, portraits of ’80s supermodels and a giant Nagel for all the Duran Duran fans out there. Even my bathroom is dope. The walls are papered with Brooklyn Toile, a wallpaper designed by Mike D of the Beastie Boys, and I have framed letterpress posters of different lyrics from my favorite songs.
In short, It’s something like a phenomenon!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I’m not sure I would have done anything differently. Sure, I wish I would have known how expensive some things were before I looked my client in the eye and said, “of course I can do that for the same price!” but I am very proud of the fact that my clients have been able to rely on my quotes, and on my honesty and transparency on pricing and delivery times, even when they have been unaware of the pain, worry and expense that went into getting it all done.
That said, I have tried to take it slow and to learn as much as possible. I’ve closed the shop to tour press facilities, I’ve worked hours on Saturday to line envelopes by hand and I’ve met with brides at 7 am on Sunday and 10 pm on Friday. Sometimes I’ve made choices that aren’t always the best for making money or for my personal life, but at the end of the day, getting the job done for my wonderful clients is more important than maximizing my profit margin or sleeping in. I sweat the small stuff! When a client comes back to me or refers someone to me, that’s the best feeling. I also love it when they’re wearing something from my shop and they tag me on Instagram so I can see all the compliments they’re getting on their look.
Pricing:
- Wedding invitation range: $12-$17
- Fashion accessories range from $10 – $500
- Books range from $20-$200
Contact Info:
- Address: 2070 Kenley Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
(off Camp Bowie Boulevard, across from Blue Bonnet Bakery) - Website: www.byrdandbleecker.com
- Phone: 817-989-1500
- Email: hello@byrdandbleecker.com
- Instagram: @byrdshop
- Facebook: byrdshop
Image Credit:
Simon Lopez
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
