perspective

it has been said that there is nothing new under the sun.
only history repeating itself.
it’s all happened before. it will happen again.

it has been said that who we are, who will become, is set by age seven.
that to truly love someone, we must first love ourselves.
that beauty is only skin deep but ugly goes to the bone.

everything is a matter of perspective.

i love to tell stories. when i tell a story it is usually based upon fact of course, but mostly what i tell are stories about the facts. an important distinction. most of what we hear in the telling or retelling of a story is a version of the facts embellished or trimmed to fit the story teller’s point of view.
rarely do we ever get just the facts.
perspective.

seems like everything is changing in our neighborhood.
some of what’s changing is my perspective.
as we approach the two years mark at 117 s. 13th street, i wonder where i see myself in a few years and if it’s in this neighborhood.
though we’ve come very far in a short amount of time,
i wonder how far will i go to get everything i want?

marcie turney and val safran have taken over the store front formerly occupied by robin’s books, turning it into two amazing spaces that i can only imagine will add to the wonderful nature of this particular block of 13th street. the first space (108 s. 13th) is an urban green store called verde with marcie blaine chocolates commanding your attention in the back. i imagine marcie’s chocolate kitchen to be the perfect addition to the artisanal movement being established on 13th street with shops who create what they sell on-site.
we’ve heard that the second space (110 s. 13th) is to be a mediterranean inspired restaurant with wood oven pizza and fresh pasta. too much to hope for...either way, everyone here at D&L couldn’t be more delighted when looking out our front windows toward the beauty of this new enterprise. the drive, commitment and just plain moxie of these two women never cease to amaze and amuse me.

genes is leaving the neighborhood for new digs in the always ever up-and-coming northern liberties area. their new home, the much hyped piazza at schmidt’s has some great shops. i’m sure their new neighbors will be thrilled to welcome them as were we.

the wholesale distribution arm of duross & langel is beginning to grow some muscle. we opened three new retailers last week, one of which we are proud to announce is style guru jimmy contreras’ newest venture, jimmy style. for lovers of all things D&L, you’ll be able to find us @ jimmy’s new shop in the trendy east passyunk neighborhood http://shopjimmystyle.com/
and if you’re spending some time in the cape this summer, look for us on commercial street in provincetown at south stream design.

scarlett fiorella is hosting a bridal event this thursday the 21st from 5 to 8 PM. my friend carrie denny (philadelphia wedding magazine editor and local author) will be signing her book, “the bride’s instruction manual”. we had hoped to contribute something to the day but alas...though should you come by the store, i will be happy to show you what we have to offer your guests as gifts for your commitment ceremony, wedding or nuptial event. *everything we offer can be made by the brides and/or grooms here in our soap kitchen.
this adds a very personal touch for your guests and many items are available for the budget conscious.

that’s the view from window. it’s shaping up to be a lovely day!