by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
A dream became a reality for Brandy Garza two weeks ago when she opened her own shoe boutique, Philosophie, in San Marco Square.
Garza owns the store with her husband Jonathan, who is a project manager for a contracting company.
Garza, 26, always had a shoe fetish, and knew one day she would open her own boutique. After a lot of talking and joking about her plans, Garza’s husband said, “Why don’t you just do it?”
But first there was a lot of work to be done, especially for someone who was a nurse for the past four years. There was also a significant financial investment in nursing school and the reluctance to drop a nearly-guaranteed career.
“It was a big risk for us,” she said. “I spent four years in nursing school and four years as a nurse.
“But this has pretty much been a lifelong dream of mine — to own a shoe boutique and be a part of the San Marco community.”
After Brandy and Jonathan decided to open the shop, they started working on a plan and began looking for retail space.
“The opportunity presented itself and we jumped in head first,” she said.
On. Oct. 8, the Garzas opened Philosophie next to Peterbrooke Chocolatier and Krista Eberle on San Marco Boulevard.
In just two weeks they have seen a great response from the community.
“We had a lot of support and we know the community and the people here pretty well,” she said. “Everyone around here is a small business owner and they are all very welcoming.
“I think the (San Marco) Merchants Association is happy to see a fresh face.”
Garza, who grew up at the beaches and later moved to San Marco with her husband, said they have really gotten to know the area and what it was lacking from a retail perspective.
“We live right around the corner and we are definitely familiar with the area,” she said. “We have grown to love this place and we know what it needs.”
The “chic shoe boutique,” as Garza calls it, offers a variety of unique styles and colors of shoes, handbags and accessories.
Garza said her husband, due to his professional background, does a lot of the behind-the-scenes work and really helped design their space. Garza provided input as well.
“I wanted it to be a warm atmosphere,” she said.
The store even has a spot for men to sit and relax and Garza is hoping to add a TV to the space soon, she said.
Now that the store is open, she also needs to take time to go to shoe shows and markets. The Garzas already have a trip planned for New York City in December.
Garza said even though she enjoyed nursing, she doesn’t see herself going back to it as a career.
“I enjoyed it, but this just fits me,” she said. “Nothing against nursing, but it just wasn’t for me. This was a financial and personal risk, but my family and friends have all been very supportive.
“I wanted to be a business woman and be a part of the San Marco Merchants Association.”
Jan Molyneaux, owner of San Marco Bookstore and president of the San Marco Merchants Association, said she is happy Garza is getting involved in the association.
“It (the boutique) is a much needed addition to the square,” said Molyneaux. “I went in and met her and she has everything looking very nice. I even bought a pair of shoes and so did my daughter.”
Philosophie’s hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.