New Orleans meets Memphis store opens in Edge
Stephanie Mills and Lisa Corkern | SUSAN ELLIS - MBJ
A door slammed right in their faces. At the time, Stephanie Mills and Lisa Corkern were total strangers, but they agreed that the slam was rude, and it formed a friendship now 10 years in the running.
And now it's a business partnership. Mills and Corkern opened a clothing store — called 901 2 504 — in the Edge District on July 1st.
“We're two best friends separated by area codes,” Mills explaining the store's name. “She's from New Orleans, and I'm from here.”
Soon after the slam, the pair started traveling together and then they shopped. It was the shopping that sealed the bond.
Mills describes one such excursion. She was checking out when Corkern approached with the same shirt for herself. But, since they don't wear the same size, there's no squabbling.
“We just have a passion for clothing and style,” Mills said.
They decided to open a shop, and then they began looking for a space. They looked in Cooper-Young and in Midtown. One day, Mills and her husband ate at Edge Alley and happened upon the nearby space at 676 Marshall Ave. They then hooked up with the real estate agent Herbert Cochrane of Raspberry Commercial Real Estate.
“He's fantastic,” Mills said. “He helped us so much.”
The space is 1,300 square feet. The duo pay roughly $600 a month but fully expect the rent to go up in the future. They said the discount is due to work the pair did on the inside. The building is owned by Austin Magruder.
The store, much like Mills and Corkern, is boho chic with a heavy streak of rock 'n' roll cool. There are band T-shirts; intricate, hand-embroidered dresses from Spain; evil eye necklaces; and products from Duck Head and Duke Cannon.
Much of the art is from local- and New Orleans-based artists.
Mills has worked in retail since she was in high school. She worked at The Limited and later at Lanksy's. She said she likes helping people feel their best, building their confidence. Corkern has worked since she was a teen, as well. Her parents owned a welding shop and left a legacy that has proved important to running her own business.
“They taught me a lot about finance and how to run a business,” Corkern said, “and not only how to run a business but how to run a household.”
She added, “Yes, I can weld. But don't ask me to weld anything for you.”
They envision 901 2 504 as a space for all.
“We want a place where everyone would be able to get something they wanted,” Mills said. “I don't think we have a typical customer because we tried to have something that appeals to anyone who would come in, whether it's for a T-shirt or jeans or something dressy.”
CREDIT: Susan Ellis – Memphis Business Journal
