Location suits her just fine
Bridgette Seaborne-Parker has been told that she faces an uphill battle by opening her Beautiful Occasions gift and flower shop on Wharf Hill in the Smithfield historic district.
Yes, the shop is downhill — literally — from the primary thoroughfare of Smithfield’s shopping district on Main Street. And the small extension is sometimes an afterthought for shoppers.
Seaborne, however, sees potential.
At first glance, the interior of the store reflects a vintage ambience with its antique and Early American dark-wood furnishings. Several of the items were bought from liquidator merchants on Main Street, like the former Antiques Emporium and Ben Franklin store.
Visitors can find fashion baseball caps and T-shirts sold in proximity to fine consignment items. Family heirlooms are displayed on walls like museum pieces on loan. In one location, Parker’s grandmother’s 1940s-era black dress shoes, satin purse, pillbox hat and head band are artfully arranged around an iron dressmaker’s pattern. Her grandmother’s best china murals another space.
Services include bridal consulting, catering and floral arrangements.
