Happiness Exists ... And It's On South 1st!
It was while on a meandering search for an appropriate gift for our awesome friend, who'd that day hit the big 3-0, that we happened upon Happiness, in the space that once housed the eclectic combination art gallery/bookstore called Escapist. Adjacent to fledgling indie record purveyor End of an Ear, the once-spartan shop entrance is now, in its newest incarnation, lined with rich, vibrant plants of both exotic and domestic origins.
Inside, the cozy space has undergone a similar transformation, from minimalist gallery installation layout to lushly-appointed, eclectic (and affordable!) gift store. Here, gorgeous tropical orchids tower majestically over a display of ceramic candleholders. Nearby, two or three brilliantly-patterned, stringed lantern lights are suspended above a small collection of handmade flower pots, each unique piece clearly painstakingly crafted. Throughout the rest of the store, you'll find a hodgepodge assortment of nifty home accessories - there doesn't seem to be a common theme unifying the shop's wares, apart from the fact that they all make for fantastic presents, whether for a friend, or - as has been our trend of late - for our greedy little selves.
Moreover, the women who run the shop are awfully gregarious - after flip-flopping for quite a while as to which orchid we thought optimal for our friend (as well as which we'd bring home and eventually name Maximillian III - the previous two having met their demise several Spring Breaks ago), we confessed to the lady that we hadn't the faintest idea as to how one should tend to such a fickle plant - whereupon she launched into a twenty minute lecture on the proper care and feeding of tropical flora. We all but forgot everything she taught us immediately after leaving the store, and were subsequently late for our happy hour fête, but the gesture was unmistakably generous. We're happy to say that Max, our tiger orchid, is currently doing quite nicely on our kitchen counter - far above the mischievous mandibles of our ever-inquisitive Jack Russell Terrier.
Should you find yourself scratching your head over how to impress that special someone the next time an important event comes around, or if you're next door at one of End of an Ear's frequent and rockin' in-stores, consider heading over to Happiness. You just might find something extraordinary.
Happiness is at 2209 South First Street. [map]
