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Seven years ago, Phoenix native Jade Noble worked her first shift at Frances Boutique in Central Phoenix.
Today, although ordinary, was a day he still remembered. His dream started that day.
I called my girlfriend that day and just said, wow, I wish this shop was mine, Noble said.
And now.
On July 28, owner and founder Frances Georganne Bryant sold the store to Noble. The 33-year-old entrepreneur is also the co-owner of Phoenix bar, Linger Longer Lounge.
People ask, are you sad, and no, I’m not,” Bryant said. I’m so grateful that this will continue. I’m at peace with everything. Jade is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met and I couldn’t be happier because Frances will live and be someone who is smart in business and knows the community.
What is Frances?
Frances Boutique, located at Medlock Plaza on Camelback Road and Central Avenue, has been a Phoenix favorite since 2006. Voted “best boutique” by Phoenix New Times readers 15 times, it is a “modern boutique with vintage charm,” according to Bryant. .
The shop is simple.
Walk through and customers will find hand-picked clothing, for adults and babies, throughout the store. A small Arizona gift shop is located in the back corner with unique gifts for Arizona residents or visiting tourists.
Other standout items such as handmade turquoise jewellery, local cocktail mixes or even a vintage photo booth adorn the shop and 50% of all merchandise is locally sourced.
Since opening in 2018, Frances Boutiques online store has sold more than 2,500 items.
I don’t give 150 percent’
Bryant said the transfer of ownership would give him time for the things he loves: Traveling and spending time with his family.
Bryant’s husband was eight years older and ready to retire, she said, and the two wanted more time with each other and their children. The Bryants have two adult children, Patrick, a freelance photographer in Colorado, and Aidy, an Emmy-nominated actress, best known for her roles on Saturday Night Live.
“I (usually) give 150% and I don’t give 150% so that’s when I know it’s time to reboot and someone else stamps them,” Bryant said.
On April 4, Bryant posted a video on Frances Instagram page announcing his decision to retire. In the video, he conveys another message, If anyone dreams of owning a boutique…. contact me.”
Within days, Bryant received 40 questions. There were eight official offers to buy the store a month later.
“I was surprised,” Bryant said, “but I’m happy.”
Nobility is one of these offers.
‘There’s no way I can do it’
Noble started working for Frances Boutique in 2017, although the two had connected when she was in high school. He and Aidy are friends. Noble still remembers his first visit to the store when he was in high school.
There’s nothing like it, Noble said. Neither room had a local maker at that time, so I’ve never seen anything like this before. That’s very unique. I like it.
Lovers of style and outfits of turquoise jewelry and flowy patterned skirts are no stranger to it. Noble started his career in the retail industry. After working in management for Urban Outfitters for 5 years, Noble started working at Frances. He also takes care of the bar at night, and in 2019, buy Linger Longer Lounge with his partner Manny Tripodis and his friend Cal Cronin.
But Noble is always close to Frances Boutique. Even though he runs the Linger Longer Lounge full time, he visits the shop frequently. He remains friends with employees Bryant and Frances.
During lunch with Bryant and another employee, Sandy Conte, Noble asked about the store. Bryant just sold it. But buying a shop didn’t seem an option for Noble at the time, who said buying buildings and businesses was beyond financial reach.
“There’s no way I could do that,” said Noble.
But after learning that Bryant was selling a separate business from the building itself, the idea came that he could afford the shop.
“We sat there and the shop was sold and Georganne was stressed about it,” Conte said. The three of us had a random lunch where we laughed and relaxed and then Jade said, send me the information, maybe I’ll buy Frances. And we all went and it was like wow, this could be a turning point, and then it happened. Total kismet.
How will Frances live
Bryant had been friends with Stinkweeds Record Store owner Kimber Lanning since Francess’ opening in 2006. Stinkweeds sat right next to Frances, and the two business owners were close friends.In recent years, the two have supported each other at local events held in their shared parking lot.
When Lanning learned that Bryant was selling the store, he knew he needed to buy the building. Lanning, who opened his record store when he was 18, is an advocate for local businesses.
As the founder and CEO of Arizona First Local, a non-profit organization that supports small Phoenix businesses, Lanning wants to retain local ownership of the building strip. He officially bought the building in June.
“Smaller buildings are being swallowed up and stuck for big big builds, says Lanning. The neighborhood is very local and part of the reason is because of the affordability of the smaller, older buildings. I want Frances to live on.
I will live my own destiny
Prior to starting Frances, Bryant was a housewife who loved making jewelry for boutiques in the Phoenix area. His mother is an artist, his father, a businessman. He consistently finds ways to put what he learns from the two together.
After building his jewelery locally, Bryant traveled to Los Angeles in hopes of selling his goods there. After standing two days in a row, he gave birth to a new idea: Frances.
I remember being in my car and slumping down and I took a deep breath and said, “I’m going to take responsibility for my own destiny. I don’t need LA, I love Phoenix, and I would never stand up for anyone,” Bryant said.
She and her husband, both house fins at the time, purchased the building shortly after. His mission is simple: He will buy things he likes and sell locally selected items to the Phoenix community.
The shop is named after her grandmother, Frances. When Bryant’s mother returned to college, she would spend time after school with her grandmother. Those memories stayed with Bryant.
He especially remembers his grandmother’s pizza. It’s no surprise to see her dressed in all pink from head to toe or walking into her grandmother’s kitchen and being greeted by colorful decorations.
“I always feel like he’s with me here,” Bryant said with a smile.
Conte, an old friend and co-worker, says Bryants’ success is due to his unique style and vision.
She was the first boutique on the block,” Conte said. “People would come in and say, this would be perfect in Scottsdale,’ but she knew that north central Phoenix needed something unique, something special. He took a chance. And 15 years later, he got the biggest store in Phoenix.
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What’s next for Frances?
Even though Frances is under new ownership, Noble says things won’t change.
He still plans to run a locally focused business, including curating local products for stores and giving back to the community.
For years, Bryant has focused on supporting women. The shop has donated menstrual supplies to Follow the Flow AZ. Currently, the shop is collecting used bras for Bra Recycler, a clothing recycling company that donates bras to women fleeing domestic violence.
Noble also plans to fill the store with more clothes. The most important thing, Noble said, was to preserve the shop the Phoenicians knew and loved.
I feel very lucky and privileged to even have the opportunity to lead this store,” Noble said. “This is a store loved by the community and I look forward to keeping it as special as it has been for the last 15 years.”
Contact the reporter at [email protected]. Follow him on Instagram@sofia.krusmark
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