Artful Shopper: Quartz & Clover in Fort Myers
Talking shop with Whitney Hackett, owner of Quartz & Clover in the River District, Fort Myers.
When did Quartz & Clover open?
We’ve been open for three weeks. We plan on being open late for Art Walk and Music Walk and other community events.
How did the store come about?
I’m from Fort Myers and I moved out to the West coast for six years. There’s a lot of consciousness there about sustainability, fair trade and organic products. I wanted to offer the community really quality products that I love. To share them with people and see if they want them in their life. I’ve always been interested in design so I’m combining beauty, design and quality products all in a place that makes people feel good. I wanted to create a positive, happy place with products made with love. They are simple products: art that you can have on your walls, tea that you can drink and clothes that you can wear.
What do you sell?
My business model is to source merchandise from small companies that are making quality products. We focus on ethically made, socially conscious, organic, fair trade and sustainable products. We have a funky, Bohemian flair combined with elegance and sophistication. We sell women’s clothing and eco-friendly home products like candles, soap, natural body care products, organic Chai tea, art and crystals. Some people come to the store looking for certain stones for their healing properties. Some people think they’re pretty and like to have them around. I sell comfortable clothing that’s really beautifully made. It’s feminine and comfortable. We also have some yoga clothes.
Also, I’m an artist so I have some of my art there and I’m planning to carry art from local artists. We have jewelry from various local artists. One is wrapped crystal pendants and necklaces. Another makes jewelry out of vintage buttons. I have two other artists that make jewelry out of recycled materials.
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What are your most popular items?
Do you have any sales or promotions?
Not yet, but I use Instagram and Facebook to market the store so if you follow me. I might randomly offer deals.
It’s been mostly women in their 20s to 60s, but also the crystals bring in men and children and that’s important to me. Sometimes men come in looking for gifts for a lady in their life. I have a very feminine boutique which I really enjoy, but I want it to be accessible to everyone.
How is Quartz & Clover unique?
One thing that I’m really passionate about is being a part of the community, the art scene and the music scene. I want the store to be a place where people can come and hang out and not feel they have to buy something. I am very interested in selling local products and connecting with the community that way, too.
Know of a great local store? Email theartfulshopper@yahoo.com.
Quartz & Clover
Location: 1516 Jackson Street, Fort Myers
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday
Contact: Call 887-4192
On the web: quartzandclover.co
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