“It’s very important for us to give good customer service,” says co-owner Julie Slater. “We do adjustments and repairs for everyone that comes in for free, all the time. Service is very important. We like to take really good care of people. We not only want to give them the right product, but give them something that looks really good [on them] too.”
As we mentioned, Chic Optique has a competitive price range, which is one of the reasons they’ve been so successful over the years.
“We have every price range. We don’t have 20 products, we have 150.”
Slater’s partner and co-owner of the business, Karen Carroll, met Slater at the last space she worked at – All Eyes Optical in Davie. The couple has been together for 11 years now.
“I’ve wanted to work here all of my life, since I was young,” Slater explains. “I had a business in West Broward, and I always wanted to be here. When Karen opened up [here], I joined her. We live down the street. We love being in our neighborhood (our gayborhood). I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I love it.”
Their clients aren’t exactly the demo you might have been picturing. It transcends the gay community of Wilton Manors, bringing in regulars from all over.
“People from outside of Wilton Manors, gay and straight,” Slater says. “Some people move away and then come back [to us]. It’s like a family atmosphere. People come say hello who aren’t even needing services or glasses. It’s very much like that. We feel like it’s our family.”
Chic Optique
2228 Wilton Dr
Wilton Manors, 33305
954-567-3937
(Photo of Karen and Julie by Pompano Bill)
For the next profile in the All Star Women of Wilton Manors, go to:
http://floridaagenda.com/2013/10/16/jean-and-vero-le-patio/
Laure Whittaker and Jennifer Morales, owners of Sidelines Sports & Video Bar, have been together as a couple for almost thirty-three years. In that time, their work experience has included a waitress, a bank teller, a customer service rep at Kmart and finally, an attorney (Laurie). Jennifer, began her career as a teacher, writer, and a bartender, and finally settled in the cruise and travel industry as a sales & marketing executive. Laurie was born in Rhode Island to a large Irish-Catholic family, (one of six children), and moved to Florida with her family in 1970. Jennifer, born in Puerto Rico, left the country at the age of four and moved to Washington, D.C., then (also in 1970), ended up in Florida.
Meeting at Florida State University (the couple says that they are big Seminoles fans) in 1980, Laurie and Jennifer came back to South Florida in 1989, enjoying all that the LGBT community had to offer at that time. In 2006, they made the decision to open up a sports bar in Wilton Manors. They looked all over the country to find an authentic sports bar that caters to gay clientele. They were hard pressed to find only but a few. So, they believed it was the right time and the right place to offer this type of entertainment venue for the gay men and women of Fort Lauderdale. Since there was nothing like this in town, they strongly believed it was a great choice.
“The idea for a sports bar came because both of us were veteran sports fans,” said the couple. “We enjoy watching all kinds of sporting games, and both have a competitive spirit that comes with sports. We’re both team players.” It was an idea born from common goals and their shear drive for success.
When asked if they believe their devoted clients are what keeps them up and running, the couple responded openly. “Absolutely! Our loyal fans and customers, as well as our out-of-town guests, have enabled us to keep going for more than seven years despite the slower-than-normal economy. [We] still offer our customers a ‘home turf’ while maintaining ‘a fun and friendly place’ for all gay sports enthusiasts.”
The bar has made some recent renovations, including changes made to the actual bar and the branding itself, and the response has been great, according to the couple. “Whenever you ‘rebrand’ an entity, it is important to study the market and form a well-thought out plan, which is what we did,” they said. “We wanted Sidelines Sports & Video Bar to move to a more upscale genre than your typical sports bar or gay nightclub. We believe our community demands it. And, with the new faces we see each weekday and weekend, we think we made the right decision.”
Sidelines Sports Bar
2031 Wilton Dr
Wilton Manors, FL, 33305
954-563-8001
For the next profile in the All Star Women of Wilton Manors, go to:
http://floridaagenda.com/2013/10/16/karen-carroll-and-julie-slater-chic-optique/
Jean and Vero have been in the restaurant business for nearly 20 years now, and it shows. The pair serve up the best comfort food in the area, due in part to their French roots.
The gals are currently celebrating Le Patio’s fourth year of business. “Time flies,” the couple told us.
When asking what it’s like to work in Wilton Manors versus France, the couple said there are pros and cons to both.
“That’s a difficult question,” they said. “In Vienne, France – a small village where we had our bar and restaurant – we were the only gay place. When our daughter comes [to visit] and wants to go to a “straight” place, we have to leave Wilton Manors to find one!” the couple says laughing. “And the weather! Aren’t we all here for the fabulous weather?”
Their favorite thing about Wilton? “The boys! Young ones, old ones, fat ones, thin ones, screaming queens, drama queens, drag queens…we love you all. We wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for you. 98% of our business is the boys.”
People love that the two are always changing the menu. It makes it more of an experience. Jean explains that living in the culinary capital of the world, Lyon, France helped a lot with creativity. “That’s how I learned to love food, to love preparing and cooking food,” she explained. “We have a palette of specials that we rotate, so we cook and serve basically what we love to eat ourselves. The inspiration comes while shopping for the most part.”
The most popular dish? “Without hesitation: shepherd’s pie, lasagna, and lobster ravioli. All three! Definitely the most popular dishes.
One of the reasons people love Le Patio so much is because the two maintain such a good attitude. It seems like they’re always so happy.
“What’s your secret?” I asked.
“We love our life, we love our job and we love each other. It seems happiness is not about getting what you want all the time – we have learned that. We love what we have and we are so grateful for it.”
Le Patio
2401 Wilton Dr
Wilton Manors, 33305
954-530-4641
For the next profile in the All Star Women of Wilton Manors, go to:
http://floridaagenda.com/2013/10/16/debbi-burke-art-frenzie/
Debbi Burke was born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, a far cry from the streets of Wilton Manors.
“I knew from traveling with my family (and after the first time I came here on spring break in high school) that I would live somewhere tropical,” explains Burke. “I always hated the harsh winters and little sunshine in Michigan. It was a great place to grow up and quite beautiful, but too cold for me.”
After traveling around, moving from city to city (including Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York), Debbi Burke permanently moved here in 1985.
Debbi was influenced by her family at an early age to appreciate art in many forms, including musical, performing and visual arts.
“I studied various aspects of music, filmmaking, and interior design amongst other interests including art history,” she told me. “I worked in and managed a lot of restaurants while I went in and out of school, which taught me more about customer service and public relations than any class I ever took.”
Burke has participated in her share of musical gigs as well.
“I’ve also always loved music and have a variety of experience, from singing in piano bars, to cabaret, disco clubs, several jazz and rock bands, and even [worked with] our own world groove band Altered Ego here over the years,” Burke said. “I still try to keep my musical side alive by hosting karaoke shows and by entertaining at local venues and for private parties and events. I’ve been very lucky to have enjoyed touring some of the best museums and exhibitions around the country in my travels.”
Burke worked as a buyer for showrooms and stores and also spent some time at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art in the Public Relations department when she landed a job managing a large art wholesale company.
“That’s when I really fell in love with working around art and framing all the time,” Burke continued. “I had two great owners that taught me the ropes over an eight year stint there. My partner Bernadette fell in love with the business too and we started working with designers. We free-lanced for a couple years… Which led us to start looking for our own location. With the help and encouragement of some very dear friends and family, we were ready to dive in.”
“Once we spoke to George Kessinger and saw what he was going to do with the Alibi amongst all the other new businesses that were opening in the Shoppes of Wilton Manors. We decided that was the beginning of what was to become the great community Wilton Manors is today, and we wanted to be a part of that. We were there for five years and have moved around a few times on the Drive but have wanted to stay in our Island City community.”
“[We are] loving [our current] space and we are still offering the finest selection and quality of custom framing around,” Burke told us. “Our philosophy is everyone should have art to enjoy!”
Art Frenzie will be showing a memorabilia collectibles show later this month until the official third Friday of the month Artwalks begin in November.
Art Frenzie
2151 Wilton Dr,
Wilton Manors, 33305
954-560-3684
For the next profile in the All Star Women of Wilton Manors, go to:
http://floridaagenda.com/2013/10/16/dawn-holloway-lori-tanner-the-pink-submarine/
“Years ago, we originally had the business Gigi-n-Gavin Gourmet Chocolate and Coffees,” said Holloway. “It was a business that didn’t [do well] at the time. We did our research and realized there was no sub shop in Wilton. That was the key; we opened something that no one had done before.”
Holloway was born in Miami and raised in both Long Island and Vermont before she moved down to South Florida in 1987. Tanner was born in Brooklyn but grew up in South Florida, so both women are familiar with the area.
“Dawn had tried to keep Gigi & Gavin’s alive but the housing market crashed and it was tough times [for everyone]. I saw a lease, a space, and we realized there was a need for a ‘grab and go’ restaurant – the transition was simple. Who doesn’t like a great sandwich?”
One of Holloway’s favorite items off of the menu is The Admiral, but she says there are no defined favorites.
“We sell them all over,” explains Holloway. “The best phrase came from [one of] our customers: ‘We have gone through the menu from start to finish and we are now starting over.’ The most unique sub is The Captain, which the local Channel 10 vouched for; Sweet sliced ham, oven gold turkey, honey mustard, tomato, hot mac-n-cheese topped with potato stix.” Of course, the space uses only the finest meat and cheeses from Boar’s Head.
Tanner loves the Torpedo (a full-on loaded Italian), but says sometimes she goes for a more basic approach.
“[Sometimes] a simple ham and cheese works,” Tanner jokes. “I think my favorite thing to do is to put pretzels or potato chips or Doritos on [the] subs. People tend to do this in the privacy of there own home but here at Pink Sub it’s common practice. No more closeted ‘chip on sandwich’ eaters here.”
The couple loves the Wilton community. Holloway says it’s nice to have the support from your local community and “meet so many sweet people.”
Their advice for readers that are considering opening their very own business?
“We both feel the sacrifice financially, physically and emotionally is quite profound. You can never be prepared as to how it will play out. It took a lot to get us here, and we lost a lot, but we never lost the belief in what we serve. It was a hard struggle but in hindsight, we probably do it again. Believe in what you do, fight the fight, and in the end, if you have something, if you really have something, it will find its own flight.”
The Pink Submarine
2041 Wilton Dr
Wilton Manors, 33305
954-566-2219
For the next profile in the All Star Women of Wilton Manors, go to:
http://floridaagenda.com/2013/10/16/nancy-goldwin-13-even/
Goldwin was born in upstate New York where she spent over 25 years in the music business. Once Nancy decided she was done, she began to pursue photography. Her passion shows in the trendy space, where all of the photos proudly displayed are hers.
“It’s named 13 Even because Nancy and I met on Friday the 13th and we are even partners,” explains partner Moran.
“The catalyst [for opening the space] was really just timing and all of the pieces falling into place,” Moran said. “We signed the lease on 1/13/13 (true), and we opened May 1. We thought craft beers, great wines and fresh food was something the drive could use. When Nancy and I go out to eat, I’m the drinker and you can’t get a good glass of wine by the glass; the better wines are always by the bottle. Nancy is a big coffee nut so of course we have Lavazza’s kick ass coffee. I get great wine or a beer and she gets a great cup of coffee, and we like to eat a little bit of everything. I’m not a fan of super light beers, I really like craft beers. My favorite is Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat. Can’t find that anywhere. So [the business is] based off of us.”
And so far, business is booming.
13|Even
2037 Wilton Dr
Wilton Manors, FL 33305
954-565-8550
For the next profile in the All Star Women of Wilton Manors, go to:
http://floridaagenda.com/2013/10/16/carol-moran-new-moon
Born and raised in south Miami, Carol Moran has seen Miami through its ups and downs. “Back when it was still pretty country,” she jokes.
New Moon is a nightlife staple for lesbians, packing the bar with women each week. For Moran, opening a business was the only option in her eyes.
“I decided to open a bar after my brother died. For me, life was too short to work [for] corporate America. [My brother] died in 1998 and I opened Kicks Sports Bar in 1999.”
Following Kicks Sports Bar, Moran purchased the space that we now know as New Moon in 2004. “It took nine long months of renovating, and we opened February 28, 2005, celebrating eight years of business.”
“I really wanted to keep that neighborhood bar feeling,” Moran explained. “I want it to be a place where you can go and meet a friend. We are such a transient town, that when folks come here not knowing anyone, I want to be the place their journey starts.”
The bar has even incorporated live music into their routine. Most recently, national act Sirsy came through to play a set exclusively at New Moon. The band received such great feedback that they’re even returning for another show in January. On October 13, the bar had six bands playing as a benefit for Nevee, an anti-bullying organization. “We will always support live music,” says Moran.
New Moon
2440 Wilton Dr
Wilton Manors, 33305
954-563-7660
For the next profile in the All Star Women of Wilton Manors, go to:
http://floridaagenda.com/2013/10/16/robin-bodiford/