Annabelle on Leaving Dark Garden: Parting Thoughts

Stop by the NOLA boutique on Saturday October 5 for Art For Art's Sake, 6-9pm, to shop, meet our new boutique manager Brittany, and say farewell to Annabelle!

After exactly 6 years with Dark Garden as the New Orleans Boutique Manager, I’m leaving the company for new adventures. But as my heart (and waist) are forever cinched to the Dark Garden family wagon, I wanted to make sure I reached out to YOU before I left — the clients, supporters, friends, and Kickstarter backers who made this boutique location possible.

In early 2018, Autumn and I hatched a plan for me to move from San Francisco to NOLA and build her store here. We took a business development class at CCSF and wrote a pitch deck and business plan, connected with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center and were assigned a mentor, and slowly formed our plan. In October ‘18 I moved here, began searching for commercial real estate, collecting antique furnishings, sourcing products and learning about local culture. In April ‘19 we opened our doors. 

I realize that no matter where I go after Dark Garden, I won’t encounter the same level of glamor or have access to the diverse and fascinating sub-cultures and lifestyles I've experienced here over the past five years. Whether I’m working with the uptown lawyer, the trans transplant, the naughty polycule, a medical need or a burlesque costume creation, vampire style or historical coquette, all my clients have been varied and a delight to work with. This job engages not only the organizational side of my brain but the sparkly creative side too, and I’ve loved it.

That being said, it’s time for new adventures and to see where the road leads me. I’ll still be in New Orleans, and will still be a part of the DG Family. It’s been an honor to be trusted with building this brand here for Autumn – I have only the warmest feelings for Dark Garden, and I hope you do too. 

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Extra Credit: Some of my favorite memories and fun facts!

• Our giant antique rug, 2 standing lamps, stocking cabinet and beautiful antique couch were sourced from the movie prop sale of Capone. If you’re a Tom Hardy fan, he has sat on this couch!
• Someone who used to live in this apartment when it was residential came in once. She showed me where there was a heating unit that set her husband’s pants on fire because he was a painter and covered in dried paint. 
• Before Dark Garden, this was a yoga studio. Our fitting rooms are the former closet for yoga balls and mats!
• Big thanks to all the staff who’ve worked with me here over the years: Rhonda, Gwen, Natashia, Victoria, Angela, Essence & Monique.

Photo by Karla Photography, from the NOLA boutique opening party