Zoe's charming storefront

Recently moxii had the privilege of meeting some fellow lovers of old at a local Birmingham consignment boutique- Zoe. Their mantra of “Timeless Style, Modern Soul” marks the heartbeat of both Zoe’s and moxii’s personalities. For that reason, our team decided to walk along with the très chic crew to get a little glimpse of just what they do.

Before we set foot in the wonderfully eccentric store, we had the opportunity to chat with Ms. Deborah Bashinsky , founder and owner of the Zoe shop.  When inquiring how the store came to be she laughed and casually said, “We went shopping at the store [before it carried the name Zoe's], and I saw a for sale sign in the window.  I bought it on the spot- basically some racks and a computer.”  Starting over with the bare essentials, the grassroots shop found its feet in 1997.  Making her entrepreneurial debut, Deborah boldly planted herself in the world of resale aiming to blend contemporary and antique.

Deborah chose the name Zoe because its Greek root means “the creative spirit of life,” symbolizing her aim for the quaint cache.  The proud owner enlightened us of the distinct attitude of the resale world. “It’s really organic. We just adjust and make it work out. It’s our cats [Willow and Jade live who live in the shop], the music, the whole atmosphere,” Deborah adds with a lingering note of simple satisfaction.

The market for consignment has grown so much in recent years allowing Deborah to grow her collection. She acquires pieces from all avenues.  She travels to market in Atlanta in order to keep her accessory supply fully stocked with hosiery, hats, and a host of other treasures. People also call in about their own collections. She passionately divulges, “That’s when the treasures are found!” following an anecdote about one of her favorite items, the cherished hand-tied bow-ties.

Zoe’s crew echos the relaxed approach of the business attracting a “sweet and spicy kind of person,” as Deborah puts it. The five on board, plus a few lending a hand a few weekends a month, keep the show going everyday. You read right, they’re open seven days a week for your scavenging pleasure {Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm}.  As if that weren’t enough, every third Friday of each month Forest Park Village, the neighborhood Zoe’s calls home, hosts an open party for all to come and enjoy. For local Birmingham followers, you must see for yourself!

Now that you’ve got the scoop on this eclectic emporium, we’re sure you could only want more.  So we suggest you see their homepage and blog, then like their Facebook, and follow them on Twitter. We hope their story has inspired a least a hint of spontaneity in your creativity.  Zoe’s beginnings parallel that of moxii’s: essentially an overnight business sparked by a whim, resulting in a priceless continuing journey.  Ms. Bashinsky stated it plainly, “Sometimes you just have to step out there.”  So let us say on behalf of the Zoe boutique and moxii alike, go for it… whatever “it” is for you.

We put together this little collage to give you a taste of the beauty Zoe embodies, blending the timeless and the modern as their motto promises.  This same craft is likewise cherished by moxii in our room designs; hence why we can’t help but love Zoe.  Just take a look, and you’ll fall head over heals for the Zoe flair. We sure did.

“Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.” -Cecil Beaton, English Photographer and Fashion Designer