Q: what are the plans for porch at its new address?
CHRISTIE: We have such a great space and we want to share it. Santa Claus Lane has a stigma of being out- side the retail corridor, and Porch has been know for creating interesting, creative, fun events. We have bold ideas — classes, book signings, parties ...
Q: the new location will bring different customers. are you adapting porch in any way?
CHRISTIE: The garden! We used to tease that we had a “home and parking lot” store. Now we have a home and garden store. It’s meant to replicate a place you’d have at your home, rather than a nursery with rows and rows of plants. DIANA: It’s a place to wander and enjoy. You can get a 6-foot box tree 20 feet tall, but it’s not a nursery.
Q: who is the typical porch customer?
DIANA: Runs the entire gamut. That’s what makes it so fun. It’s not Montecito, it’s not flip-flops, it’s every- body. CHRISTIE: We have backyard gardeners to celebri- ties who have just driven up. We can’t merchandise to just one kind of customer. It’s a variety pack.
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Q: it’s magical when kindred creative spirits connect. when did you realize that “she sees what i see”?
CHRISTIE: We both did the buying for Island View. After finishing for Island View, we’d both gravitate toward the same thing. We’d say “if we ever have our own store, this is what we’d get ...”
Q: You’ve worked with each other for more than 10 years. was there a moment when you decided to team up?
DIANA: I had a personal aha! moment when I realized that having my own retail store was something I wanted to do, but I wouldn’t want to do it on my own. When I asked myself, who would I want to be with, and the answer was “Christie,” I was so afraid. I knew I would have to ask her to dinner and ask her. CHRISTIE: I’ve been in retail a long, long time. In my managerial positions, I’ve thought “maybe it would be smart to own my own business.” When Diana asked me I thought it was time. It was an immediate “yes.”
Q: how do you complement each other? is one more administrative? more creative?
DIANA: There are certain things. Christie does the check- book. We’re so lucky. I don’t know two other people who are so simpatico. We’re so lucky and we know it.
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