by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
There was a time when if you lived in Jacksonville and needed to buy clothes, you went Downtown.
That changed when the area’s major retailers migrated to the suburban shopping malls but lately there has been a resurgence of retail clothing in the 32202 ZIP code.
The latest entry in the market is Et Tu Prosper in the Elks Building. The boutique had its soft opening this week and more merchandise is arriving daily.
What makes it different is the selection of clothing for both men and women. It’s been a while since a man could buy a dress shirt and a pair of slacks Downtown.
Merchandising consultant Ka’Tanya Harris has lived in Jacksonville for 11 years. She worked at Target and at a boutique at Jacksonville International Airport before deciding to open a business Downtown.
She said she looked at a lot of locations for the store, including St. Johns Town Center and Ponte Vedra.
“I spent a lot of time walking around. There are a lot of professionals Downtown but also moms with their kids – people from all walks of life. I can see the breath coming back to Downtown,” said Harris.
Et Tu Prosper will carry women’s casual and business fashions in all sizes along with accessories, she said, as well as men’s clothing and accessories like cuff links and wallets.
“My experience is in big-box retail and in airport shops where there are a lot of business and leisure travelers. We’ll figure out what the neighborhood wants,” said Harris.
Et Tu Prosper is at 209 N. Laura St. between Adams and Monroe streets. It operates 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and by appointment on Saturday. The shop also will be open until 9 p.m. for First Wednesday Art Walk.
356-2466