Tucked away behind the bright green doors of a huge warehouse space once occupied by an A&P grocery store, a hardware store and an antique emporium, lies a shopping mecca, eagerly awaiting Richmond's ladies-who-lunch. And in the world of "if you build it, they will come," the ladies are most definitely on their way.

The Shops at 5807 (5807 Patterson Ave.), which opened on Tuesday, are a shopping establishment unlike any other in town. Between the tall brick walls congregates an eclectic assortment of purveyors, all offering unique wares in a comfortable, airy, fairly luxurious space.

And it all came about because of a flat tire.

Richmonder Leigh Dobbins was the victim of the ill-fated tire, which left her temporarily stranded in Virginia Beach. When forced to wait for hours for her car to be fixed, Dobbins found a manicurist in a salon featuring a number of different independent service providers. Inspiration struck.

Her moment of inspiration has culminated in the Shops at 5807, a collection of shops featuring retailers and artisans hand-selected by Dobbins and her older sister Anne Brasfield, who owned and operated Frillseekers, a popular West End gift and accessories boutique, for 13 years.

"I have always had in my brain that I wanted to do something entrepreneurial, and this just hit me at the right time," said Dobbins, 46, who spent years marketing for different companies, most recently Fight SMA. "And Anne said 'this is the best crazy idea you've had yet.'"

The idea involved creating the ultimate shopping experience, one in which you can take care of all your consumer needs, while also enjoying a picturesque atmosphere, complete with wireless Internet, a full-service coffee bar and a traditional tea room.

"It is a total experience," said Brasfield, who has re-opened Frillseekers in the new location. "You can sit down with your laptop, have a latte, try on some clothes, find a baby gift, try a chicken salad sandwich."

And the best part? You can pay for all of your booty, including 18th century French furnishings, original paintings from Richmond artists and contemporary Irish fashions, at one central register.

Once committed to the concept, the two sisters, who are 13 years apart in age, set their sights upon the space on Patterson Avenue, which had been built by their grandfather and his partner in the 1940s. After securing the space in March, they then went about recruiting the 20-plus vendors for their new venture. It wasn't a hard sell. Advertisement

"Our vendors have all of the fun of owning a shop without the hassle," Brasfield explained. "They don't have to worry about the rent, they don't have to worry about hiring any employees, they don't have to worry about the utilities. They basically maintain their space and we take care of the rest."

Dobbins and Brasfield, along with their staff of part-timers, have made a point to learn as much as possible about the wares under their roof, so that the shop owners can feel comfortable leaving the selling up to them.

For Carroll and Dan Burke, who have opened up a smaller version of their Charlottesville shop, Emerald Artisans, in the Shops at 5807, this comfort and flexibility is key.

"We've only been in Charlottesville a little less than a year, and about the time they approached us to do this, we had been thinking about advertising in Richmond," said Carroll Burke, who plans to visit the Patterson shop every couple of weeks to monitor inventory. "Now, for not a whole lot more than a weekly news ad, we got this space and the chance to be a part of something that I think is a really great concept. It didn't take us long to say 'yes.'"

Gwen Campbell, a schoolteacher, had previously shown her handmade ceramic creations at shows on the weekends. Now, as one of three partners in the Shops at 5807's Wee Whimsey Three, which offers hand-crafted items for the nursery, she will be able to see her business grow, even as she continues to spend her weekdays in the classroom.

"Unlike a show that lasts for six to eight hours, Anne and Leigh are here every day," she explained.

Added Carter Carpin, another of the Wee Whimsey Three, "We really wouldn't have been able to do this unless it was in this form."

So, while the shop owners can rest easy knowing that eager and committed professionals are taking care of them in their absence, consumers can thrill in the ease of one-stop-shopping.

With the eclectic assortment of unique and often luxurious goods, chances are, you won't make it in and out of those bright green doors without a shopping bag in your hand. • The Shops at 5807, located at 5807 Patterson Ave., are open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (804) 288-5807 for more information.

Source: Richmond.com