Trunk Show Friday November 18th From 10am – 6pm

Plan to a day long event in the Chic Cherie Boutique inside High Street. Mr. Porterfield is bringing a collection of fabulous fashions for the holidays. At 3:00 p.m. he will be discussing Couture Fashions.

The very special collection is available for sale all day Friday. So come early for the best selection and visit with Steven Saturday November 19th.

Steven will host a special Holiday Fashion Show in the Chocolate Angel Tea Room at 3:00 p.m. The models will be circulating the Tearoom and on into the Chic Cherie for close up viewing. All fashions will be available for sale.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to view and purchase something really special for the holiday season.

For more information contact High Street Antiques & Design 972-509-7878, Chic Cherie 972-998- 2855 or Chocolate Angel 972-904-9507

• Well designed office spaces can increase your morale and productivity. Having a hard time focusing or meeting your goals? Why not give this a shot!
• As well as employees, it is likely that you will have clients and business partners visiting your office. It is important that these important people receive an appropriate welcome.
• The design of your office should represent the nature of the business that you run as well as your personality. Do you like to read books? Add a collection of vintage or classic books. Do you have a friendly, vibrant personality? Add some color!

Having to design an office space can seem an incredibly daunting task for many. However, the services of an experienced and specialist designer can be sought for support with updating or, for the first time, designing an office interior.

Even when office interior design can be seen as an unimportant or unnecessary expense, it is an excellent investment. Think of this: why would anyone be expected to work in drab, uninspiring and tired spaces?

Good news: this project shouldn’t break the bank. Check out some of these pieces found at our mall.

Marilyn Harris, Chic Cherie Boutique (at High Street)

In High Street, it’s not just the items for sale that are intriguing. The people behind these curious finds are just as fascinating. One of these individuals is Marilyn Harris, the owner of Chic Cherie Boutique. She is an expert on vintage clothing, which is a passion that found purpose in an unexpected place—the middle school classroom.

Before she went into the antiques business, Marilyn used to teach History to gifted students. At that time, she already had a modest collection of vintage jewelry, accessories, and clothes that she would bring to the classroom as learning aids. She explained that by bringing in articles from a period in history, she was able to paint a vivid picture of life back then. So, when she shows her class a suffragette banner or a cattle brand from the Wild West, they see the past more clearly.

“Gifted kids are so engaged,” Marilyn explained. “Just bringing the stuff in from the time period, it’s not lost on kids that are that passionate about lives.”

She retired from teaching in 2013 to spend time with her husband, and her acquisitions expanded by joining shows and traveling. Today, she runs her booth while doing appraisals for estate sales and finding pieces for film and theater productions. Her store also handles vintage clothing alterations. This is a delicate process that should not be left in the hands of a modern dressmaker as it involves knowledge of old school tailoring and the use of vintage fabrics.

Many pieces in Chic Cherie are made from materials that are no longer available like organza and silk blends. The most unique fabric Marilyn has encountered is a 6-foot panel of lace from the Empress Eugénie, consort of Napoleon III and mother to the Prince Imperial of France. It is a handmade royal point lace with the insignia of the empress that was gifted to a client’s great aunt.

Other impressive items that made their way to the shop include $3,000 hand-beaded flapper dresses, a suit that belonged to Phyllis Diller, and a figure skating outfit worn by Sonja Henie.

Interestingly, most people who walk into the store are simply looking for items they can wear every day. Rather than costumes or historical artifacts, they just want to find something to add to their wardrobe. From lawyers and doctors to debutantes and brides, they all make the trip to High Street to find quality pieces that are comparable to those from expensive uptown shops in Los Angeles or New York.

On vintage clothing, Marilyn said, “When you put them on, they make you feel more feminine, because of the way they are constructed. Construction is [another] thing. They’re just pieces of our history and works of art. We’re never going to have the quality of workmanship we had in the 40s, 50s, and 60s.”

This certainly rings true at a time that is characterized by mass-produced fast fashion. It makes one wonder what historical picture we are painting with our current throwaway culture. Thankfully, collectors like Marilyn help to preserve authentic living history for generations to come. Glass cases of costume jewelry, racks of Kentucky Derby hats and hangers of fur coats await those who step inside her shop and into bygone eras. Whether buying for yourself or for others, and for any reason or occasion, you’re sure to find something beautiful that has history behind it.If you also like telling stories through unique collectibles, then consider finding a home in High Street. We provide a nurturing venue where you can invest in your passion and watch it flourish.

Kentucky Derby – or Tea Soirée

Other Finds from Chic Cherie Boutique

Lew Bishop considers making clocks as “an interesting occupation, and it is dying out.” It is certainly difficult to find a master craftsman like him these days who still frequently does house calls and runs two shops—one at home and another at High Street. He also has over 8,000 crystals that will allow him to repair any clock regardless of age or rarity.

He started with a woodworking business and was once asked to build a grandfather clock. His wife then thought that he should learn how to make clocks. It has been 35 years since he learned his craft from a German professor dubbed “The Perfectionist” who trained him “in anything that goes tick tock.” Lew credits his background as an engineer for IBM in helping him to better understand clockwork.

In his trade, he loves encountering 200 to 250-year old clocks. Vintage clocks are special because families built them with a different member making each part. They have also been tinkered with several times over the years and repaired with any available materials. This poses a unique challenge to a clockmaker like him.

Eddie Raye started buying fine jewelry as a hobby in 1989, and he’s “been [in the business] ever since.” Inspired by his sister who also loves jewelry, he went on to look for other artifacts with interesting stories— much like a modern-day treasure hunter. He eventually specialized in Civil War and World War II militaria.

Today, Eddie has an impressive trove that includes a 500-year old sword considered to be a Japanese national treasure. He also obtained items that belonged to William “Buffalo Bill” Cody such as a leather gun case and an engraved mirror gifted to his wife, Louisa. It is believed that the legendary cowboy bought the latter during one of his travels to Europe. But as remarkable as all these items are, Eddie considers a gun that once belonged to Bonnie Parker (of the Bonnie and Clyde fame) as the most unique.

Hal Rackley and his wife thought that running a booth for three to six months would be enough to downsize their personal antique collection. However, they discovered that “it was a hoot doing the business” and quickly got hooked.

Mrs. Rackley adored antiques as a child, and she acquired her first piece when she was only a teenager. She triggered a similar obsession in Hal, and it has been a mutual, life-long passion since then.

The husband-and-wife team now has an extensive inventory sourced from garage and estate sales. Clients also regularly ask them to take a look at possessions that might be of value. In the couple’s hunts, they have come across a lot of strange items with Hal’s favorite being a full-sized stuffed buffalo.

Over the years, many amazing entrepreneurs, artisans, and collectors have found a home with us. We’d like to share some of their stories in the hopes of inspiring everyone to pursue the beautiful, fine things in life. These folks started with a passion and soon discovered that others shared the same interests. Learn how they got their start, who inspired them along the way, and what they love most about what they do.

Husband-and-Wife Team’s Antique Persuasions

Hal Rackley and his wife thought that running a booth for three to six months would be enough to downsize their personal antique collection. However, they discovered that “it was a hoot doing the business” and quickly got hooked.

Mrs. Rackley adored antiques as a child, and she acquired her first piece when she was only a teenager. She triggered a similar obsession in Hal, and it has been a mutual, life-long passion since then.

The husband-and-wife team now has an extensive inventory sourced from garage and estate sales. Clients also regularly ask them to take a look at possessions that might be of value. In the couple’s hunts, they have come across a lot of strange items with Hal’s favorite being a full-sized stuffed buffalo.

Eddie, the Treasure Hunter

Eddie Raye started buying fine jewelry as a hobby in 1989, and he’s “been [in the business] ever since.” Inspired by his sister who also loves jewelry, he went on to look for other artifacts with interesting stories— much like a modern-day treasure hunter. He eventually specialized in Civil War and World War II militaria.

Today, Eddie has an impressive trove that includes a 500-year old sword considered to be a Japanese national treasure. He also obtained items that belonged to William “Buffalo Bill” Cody such as a leather gun case and an engraved mirror gifted to his wife, Louisa. It is believed that the legendary cowboy bought the latter during one of his travels to Europe. But as remarkable as all these items are, Eddie considers a gun that once belonged to Bonnie Parker (of the Bonnie and Clyde fame) as the most unique.

The IBM Engineer Turned Clockmaker

Lew Bishop considers making clocks as “an interesting occupation, and it is dying out.” It is certainly difficult to find a master craftsman like him these days who still frequently does house calls and runs two shops—one at home and another at High Street. He also has over 8,000 crystals that will allow him to repair any clock regardless of age or rarity.

He started with a woodworking business and was once asked to build a grandfather clock. His wife then thought that he should learn how to make clocks. It has been 35 years since he learned his craft from a German professor dubbed “The Perfectionist” who trained him “in anything that goes tick tock.” Lew credits his background as an engineer for IBM in helping him to better understand clockwork.

In his trade, he loves encountering 200 to 250-year old clocks. Vintage clocks are special because families built them with a different member making each part. They have also been tinkered with several times over the years and repaired with any available materials. This poses a unique challenge to a clockmaker like him.

People with a Passion for the Unique

At High Street Antiques & Design, we cater to more people with fascinating stories like Hal, Eddie, and Lew. They had unusual hobbies that they turned into viable businesses, and are now reaping the benefits. Not only do they take pleasure in their work, but they are able to help others experience the same thrills of finding one- of-a-kind pieces. Most of them have become successful enough to leave their mainstream professions and lead flexible creative lifestyles.

We provide dealers with a venue to share their specialties. Furthermore, the sales and promotional support are done by our team, so our partners can focus on enjoying what they do best.

We also welcome buyers seeking the unique to visit our convenient location in Plano, Texas. There are 280 booths under one roof that all offer beautiful and rare selections. Both amateurs and pros who are in the market for taxidermy animals, mythical objects, things that go tick tock, or anything else out of the ordinary will find something to cherish. Peruse the endless choices and hear the best stories we have in store for everyone.