An Orchid Bar!
Dallas' top flower shop relocates to deliver more than beautiful buds
In the wake of all the changes coming to Highland Park Village — namely, the impending arrival of Royal Blue grocer — one beloved boutique on that side of the center is relocating to a cheerful new space.
Avant Garden’s final day in its current location is Saturday, April 18, but it reopens again on Tuesday, April 28, at 85½, upstairs from Robert Talbott and across from Hadleigh’s and Lounge 31. You know what that means? Moving sale!
General manager Brad Duren says the HP Village redo was a great chance to move into a more interesting and functional space with lots of natural light. “It even has a set of French doors with a Juliet balcony overlooking the fountain in the plaza below,” he says. “It’s a very pretty space.”
“There will even be an orchid bar outside on the plaza downstairs,” says Avant Garden general manager Brad Duren.
But let’s get back to the good stuff: What beautiful bargains can be had? “We have lots of interesting vases and planters available, and many are one-of-a-kind,” Duren says. Also discounted are scented candles from Alixx and Linneas Lights. The sale ends April 18.
The new shop will have a sunny vibe. “Think a beautiful sunroom or garden,” Duren says, with mint green walls and a silver ceiling. “All of this is covered in a creamy white treillage,” he adds. “It’s a more intimate look and feel than what we had in the original space. I think our clients will love it.”
Known for inspired floral — this is one of the companies under the Todd Events umbrella, after all — Avant Garden will still have the best buds. Duren says they are most excited by all the flowers coming out of Holland right now. “We’ve just received our first Papillion hydrangeas of the season, with huge pink double blooms, and the tulips are incredible. Peony season is just getting started.”
Something new: The works of local artists will be on display, which they were unable to do in the old shop because they didn’t have the wall space for it. Outside they will display larger pieces for the garden. “There will even be an orchid bar outside on the plaza downstairs, where you can pick up a small bouquet or orchid on the run without even entering the store,” Duren says.
Because Avant Garden also is known as a go-to gift shop, shoppers can expect such treasures as blue-and-white porcelain pieces from cottage producers in China — “the glazes are intense and beautiful,” Duren remarks — as well as the Montes-Doggett line of contemporary, all-white, hand-made pottery from Peru.
“Plus, we have all of our new things from our latest market trip that we’ve kept in storage anticipating our move,” Duren says. We can’t wait to see the display.