Monkee's comes to Greenville
Lauren Harrell/Her magazine |
Co-owner Lauren White of Monkee's in Greenville.
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Greg Eans/Her magazine |
Beverly Jackson at her business Jumpin' Monkey.
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East Carolina University grad Lauren White, 26, has opened a Monkee's franchise at 698-A Arlington Blvd. in Arlington Village. The Wilmington-based boutique chain sells women's clothing, shoes, handbags, hats and other accessories.
Her business partner is Brian Dishman, 34, an ECU grad who works at CompuCom.
"I've always worked in retail, and it's been a dream of mine to have my own store," said White, a New Bern native who has worked in retail since she was 16. "I never thought it was possible. Brian and I have been dating for about six years, and I guess he had a little bit of faith in me, and he always wanted to have his own business.
"I had helped a couple of people with their stores, and I was like, 'I'm tired of helping everybody else.' I wanted to do something for me."
White inquired about Monkee's because she enjoyed shopping at the Wilmington store.
Monkee's began as a shoe store in 1997, then branched out to include clothing and accessories. The company now has 18 locations in five states including a dozen in North Carolina.
A bright, elegant setting with yellow walls and chandeliers awaits customers. White said she had some freedom with the interior design, and she, Dishman and some friends did the work to transform the former fitness center.
"I do all the buying for the store," she said.
The store carries clothing, shoes and accessories by designers such as Anlo, Bailey 44, Julie Brown, Karlie, Rebecca Beeson, Rebecca Taylor, Shoshanna, Tibi, Velvet, Tory Burch, Eric Javits, BCBG, Stuart Weitzman and Kate Spade.
Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays.
Call 758-SHOE or visit the Web site www.monkeesofgreenville.com.
— Mike Grizzard of The Daily Reflector contributed to this report.
Jumpin' Monkey opens in Greenville
Greenville native Beverly Jackson has opened The Jumpin' Monkey, a colorful indoor playground filled with inflatable jumpers and slides, at 3525 S. Memorial Drive.
Beverly said she discovered indoor playground when she was living in Virginia Beach, Va., with her family, husband Jerry Jackson and son Marcus, now 5. Her son loved to play at The Jumpin' Monkey.
When the Jackson family decided to relocate to the Greenville area, where Beverly has family, they asked to open The Jumpin' Monkey's first franchise.
The indoor playground caters to children up to about 10 years old with a variety of jumpers, toys, costumes and arcade games throughout 14,000 square feet. It's decorated with murals by local artist Lisa Jordan. A private room with four inflatable jumpers and separate eating areas and bathrooms can host birthdays or parties.
Party packages range from $199 to $325. Individual rates are $5 for an hour, $6 for 90 minutes, $6.95 for 2 hours and $3 for any additional hours and specials are offered for school groups. Parents' Night Out is held from 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays, with children being fed and playing for three hours for $20 per child (lower rates for additional children).
Hours are noon-6 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Call 752-JUMP.
— Mike Grizzard of The Daily Reflector contributed to this report.
