A childhood dream combined with visits to First Wednesday Art Walk led to Downtown’s newest retail clothing store and a business for designer Jay Harris.
He opened “Strght&Nrrw” Boutique and Clothing Co. at 205 N. Laura St. in the historic Elks Building, where he sells his line of custom-designed logo T-shirts and accessories.
The inventory is about 80 percent men’s and 20 percent women’s, highlighted by signature handbags made by Harris’s mother, Bennie Meryl.
He credits her with inspiring him to enter the fashion industry.
“By the time I was 10 years old, I was already looking for a career. My mother was a seamstress and a businesswoman and she taught me a lot about clothes,” said Harris.
He began designing clothing in 1995, and 11 years ago, Harris took his first big leap into the business.
On a whim, he flew to Las Vegas, hoping to attend the annual “Magic” fashion marketplace, even though he wasn’t registered to attend.
Almost as soon as he arrived, Harris met a fellow fashionista from Jacksonville who was registered for the trade show and who helped him join the event and meet people in the industry. He said that was what inspired him to start his clothing line.
“I decided I wasn’t going to give up,” said Harris.
As for the name of the store and clothing line, it’s “straight & narrow” without the vowels.
“So many of the contemporary casual clothing lines are about an image of crime and violence. I wanted to do something completely opposite. My brand embodies a positive message,” said Harris.
He discovered the location for lease while visiting the neighborhood for First Wednesday Art Walk and knew he had found a home.
“From the retail perspective, I didn’t consider any location other than Downtown. I want to create a retail landmark – something people haven’t seen before and won’t see anywhere else,” said Harris.
The boutique is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and by appointment. Call 742-5272 or visit www.strghtandnrrw.com for more details.
356-2466