Back in July, a new gift and accessories boutique opened in the 2nd Street District, but you might not have known it. The original tinting on PRIZE's windows was so dark that potential customers kept passing by, unaware of its presence. Fast forward three months to when owner Lisa Bagby had the windows un-tinted and foot-traffic actually passing through the shop doors skyrocketed.
Owing to it's proximity to downtown hotels and business centers, PRIZE has become a hotspot for business travelers and tourists. But those who pick up a gift from this boutique won't be heading home with a kitschy coffee mug or embroidered t-shirt. Bagby spent more than a decade working in merchandising at the likes of Pottery Barn, Z Gallerie, Restoration Hardware and Bliss Spa. Thus, her taste has been carefully honed and her store nicely blends contemporary knick-knacks and homegoods with hip jewelry from up and coming designers based in other U.S. cities.
"We are a local business and have local lines, but really our main goal is to be unique and different, which means we sometimes have to source outside of Austin," she says.
Bagby and her team make frequent trips to trade shows around the country, seeking out both curious and sophisticated home and accessory items. But she won't buy just anything. On her most recent market trip to Manhattan, Bagby says she spent more time outside of the tradeshow and in Brooklyn searching for young, undiscovered artists whose lines were equally as impressive — but much more surprising.
Visit PRIZE today and you’ll find gold-plated, hammered jewelry by Sibilia, GoVino shatterproof wine glasses, beaded necklaces from the Maaisa tribe in Kenya, Nanadebary fragrances and a smattering of coffee table books, including Austin's own BEARD by Matthew Rainwaters.
Bagby is currently concentrating her efforts on expanding PRIZE’s merchandise into the kid's and men's markets. Once those areas are rounded out, PRIZE might possibly be the one-stop (high-end) gift shop for everyone on your list.
Visit PRIZE today and you’ll find gold-plated, hammered jewelry by Sibilia, GoVino shatterproof wine glasses, beaded necklaces from the Maaisa tribe in Kenya, Nanadebary fragrances and a smattering of coffee table books, including Austin's own BEARD by Matthew Rainwaters.
Bagby is currently concentrating her efforts on expanding PRIZE’s merchandise into the kid's and men's markets. Once those areas are rounded out, PRIZE might possibly be the one-stop (high-end) gift shop for everyone on your list.
