Tucked in a shopping center at the corner of William Cannon Drive and West Gate Boulevard, the business opened just over a year ago and carries one-of-a-kind clothing, jewelry, art and home decor. While most items are sourced locally, the store’s owners, Adriana Martinez and her mother Andree Nolen, said some pieces originate from around the world.
With a background in theater arts, retail and office management, Martinez said having her own store has always been a goal. With Creative Clothes and Counter, she said she is able to express her creativity from theater in the displays while also utilizing her retail and office-management skills.
Martinez runs her business alongside Nolen, who acts as the store’s buyer and finds unique, affordable items at estate sales and antique stores to add to the store’s inventory each week.
“My mom was a nurse, but [vintage shopping] has always been a hobby and passion of hers,” Martinez said. “For many years she was decorating her own home in a unique, affordable way, and we thought, ‘How can we help other people do the same thing?’”
Martinez said she set up the store hoping to catch a customer’s eye as he or she walks through. Shoppers can expect to find vintage clothing, art and furniture as well as handmade items from local artists.
“Creating this unique combination of vintage and new but pretty one-of-a-kind stuff is a lot of fun for me,” she said. “Also just working with people.”
Born and raised in the area, Martinez said opening the store locally felt natural.
“It’s a perfect fit for us, and I think [the neighborhood] is a really good match for that sort of funky-and-fine feeling we have created for the store,” Martinez said.
Moving forward, Martinez said she hopes the business will continue to serve as a gathering place for the community. The store has hosted open mic nights and artist meet-and-greets since opening in 2016, something Martinez hopes to do more of this year.
Item spotlight
Owner Adriana Martinez said her goal is to add one-of-a-kind items to the store’s inventory weekly. While products originate from all over the world, she said the shop carries many unique, locally made and locally sourced items ranging from jewelry to home decor
Creative Clothes and Counter
6800 West Gate Blvd., Ste. 137, Austin
512-704-9773
www.creativeclothesandcounter.com
Hours: Tue.-Fri. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Sun. and Mon.
