Lamar Park Blog

What are your daily duties?
We are always working hard to ensure exciting new merchandise is coming in to the store, so there is a great need to stay in touch with both our customers and sales reps. And who could forget the internet? There aren’t enough hours in the day!

How did you develop the idea for opening Pilar?
Actually, I didn’t open Pilar. Three wonderful ladies had a plan in 1976 to travel to Mexico and bring back pots (ahem, that’s pottery) for both themselves and to sell to friends; the store grew from there and so did the travels. I came onboard twenty years ago and never looked back. 

Are you originally from Corpus?
Yes I am. Great city isn’t it?!

How long have you owned the store?
I purchased Pilar four years ago from my mentor, Ruth Josephs.

What do you love about Lamar Park?
Lamar Park is a friendly, classy shopping center with wonderful merchants. There really is something for everyone here.

What’s the best part about owning Pilar?
I enjoy getting to know our customers and sharing the excitement of our store with them. Every day is a new adventure and a learning experience here at Pilar.

What are your favorite things in stock right now?
Hmm, that’s tough. I just returned from a two-week buying trip in Mexico, and I have to say I am in love with everything I brought home. I did buy a beautiful collection of embroidered dresses and blouses as well as jewelry from designers Federico Jimenez, David Perez and Darla.

Is there anything you would especially like to see in the store?
I am always looking for more Fair Trade products to introduce to our customers.

What do you do on your trips to Mexico?
Smile. A lot! I look for color and excitement in the things I buy. I really enjoy meeting the artists and being invited into their family homes and learning about them and their handwork. Mexican culture is so fascinating; I am always so intrigued by everyone I meet. And the food…Incredible!

Where do you go and how often do you travel?
I travel through Guatemala and Mexico. How often you ask? Not often enough.

Are there any upcoming events or sales at Pilar?
March 8th – Gorky Gonzalez pottery
March 11 – 13 Ayala Bar Jewelry Trunk Show
March 22 – Textiles, woodcarvings, and pottery arrive from Mexico, yay!

Check back for pics from Terry’s recent trip to Oaxaca!

Spring is in the air, or at least it is over at Lamar Park! Ready for a season change? We are! (but really, who isn’t?) and what better way to celebrate than with a plethora of steals, deals and fabulous events to get you through the rest of chilly month.

I know Easter seems a ways off (happy belated Mardi Gras, by the way!), but you don’t want to miss this: Easter pictures with Sweet Pea Photography at Belly & Baby and Hopscotch, Saturday, March 20 only! Call the gals at Belly & Baby to reserve your spot today. But act fast; I know there are only about ten spots left. You don’t want to miss this opportunity for memories that last a lifetime!

Never one to have a shortage of amazing things going on, Julian Gold has quite the array of events lined up for spring. Tomorrow and Friday, stop by for the Cole Haan Shoe Trunk Show and Nina McLemore sportswear Show; there will be some spring gems there no doubt. Next Tuesday, February 23, is the Cattle Baron’s pre-shop – don’t miss the opportunity to get first dibs on the most fabulous gowns around town! Finally next Thursday and Friday, February 25 & 26, check out the Charity League Runway Show featuring Josie Natori and then the Natorious Loungewear and Spotswear Trunk Show. Wow! There’s so much going on you’re already full calendar will be bursting at the seams, and who could pass up the chance to shop, drink bubbly and swap fashion tips with some of the most fashionable people in town?

Fresh from a trip to Mexico, Terry at Pilar Fashion & Folk Art is ready for spring’s arrival as well as three shipments of pottery, wood carvings, folk art and textiles from Oaxaca. While we patiently await their arrival, mark your calendars for March 11-13 For the Ayala Bar jewelry show. Refreshments provided!

If you’ve been holding out for even better winter deals, you’re in luck. Le Garage is happening this week, February 18 and 19, only! Find amazing jewelry, accessories, clothing and gifts from 35-75% off. Definitely don’t pass up the opportunity to take advantage of the AMAZING sale prices and winter pieces from Market, Belly & Baby and Hopscotch, Goosefeathers and Pilar. Enjoy a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres by Desiree by the Bay and music at the Art Center of Corpus Christi from 10am-6pm. A $3 donation at the door goes to benefit the Women’s Shelter of Corpus Christi. Great clothes and a great cause? How could you not? Shop early though, you don’t want to let these fabulous deals get away from you!

Happy Friday Lamar Park shoppers! I know it’s a little late, but I wanted to fill all of you in on a few of the things going on at The Park this weekend.

Gourmet and Gadgets has just gotten at TON of new things in, from New Orleans dirty rice mix and football cookie cutters (I must say though, since Peyton Manning is my boyfriend I just have to cheer for the Colts) to Julia Child’s famed recipes in Mastering the Art of French Cooking you definitely need to stop by and check it out. And who doesn’t love a good cupcake pan?! Could it be any cuter?  

Tracy Tenpenny will be at Goosefeathers tomorrow! What’s more, 10% of proceeds from sales with Tracy will be donated to the American Red Cross – what could be a better reason to stop by than savin’ the Haitian nation? None that I can think of, that’s for sure. The Goose also happens to have some of the cutest new Spring pieces; I want them all!

TOMORROW! Belly & Baby and Hopscotch’s semi-annual sale! Run – don’t walk – to your favorite mommy and baby store for 50-90% off all sale items. Can you believe it? Get there between 9am and noon and take an additional 25% off your purchase. Oh baby, this is not a sale to miss!

Market has some super cute pieces in the store right now to usher in Spring. It don’t matter if Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow or not, these pieces are perfect for now (with leggings) and later (without).

This is just the tip of the iceberg of things going on at Lamar Park, so you’ll definitely have to stop by and check it out. Have a wonderful weekend everyone, see you next week!

Love it or hate it Valentines Day is just around the corner, and whether you’re attached or not Lamar Park has everything you need to make sure your Valentines is full of hugs, kisses, and great outfits.

If you’re attached then I have no doubt you’ve been planning this glorious day of love celebration for a while now…or, if you haven’t, get on it! Regardless of whether you have dinner reservations yet or not though you’ll obviously need the perfect outfit and do we have some choices for you! There is a bevy of perfect look-at-me dresses and accessories to ensure you’ll be looking your chicest when you’re with your sweetest.

This gorgeous pink dress by Paramater ($149) at Market is to die for – a brilliant dark pink with a figure-flattering waist that screams Valentines date. Add the gorgeous Gerard Yosca necklace ($89) and leave your man swooning. Julian Gold has some beautifully sweet Valentines outfits as well; like the out of this world Pucchi shift – every girl needs a little piece’a Pucci in her closet. There’s also a dynamite David Meister one-shoulder red dress that is the perfect accoutrement for a night of dinner and dancing. If you’re not looking to don a dress but want something equally as flirty and fun, Julian Gold has two gorgeous pink BCBG blouses and I love this peachy tunic from Goosefeathers – all which would all look fabulous with jeans or leggings and secure a super stylish V-Day.

For all you guys out there, I’m sure you’re equally as distressed about your Valentines night outfit…ok, maybe not exactly, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look your best for your sweetheart. Lucky for you Jos. A. Bank is having a huge sale: All sportswear and dress shirts, buy 1, get the 2nd for 25% off, and the 3rd FREE! And, if you’re in the market for dress pants you’re in luck, buy 1 full price pair, get the 2nd for $99 and the 3rd FREE! I can’t even believe it – Now you boys have absolutely no excuse not to look your finest on Valentines Day.

For you Mamas out there, don’t think we’ve forgotten about you – Belly & Baby and Hopscotch has everything you need for both you and your little tots. I love the Painted Pony Clay Necklace ($35), beautiful and fierce at the same time. For your little ones, the pink Lilly Pulitzer dress ($48) is to too-cute-for-words, and I just love the Zutano Heart Dress and leggings ($38) – perfect outfits for a Valentines play date. Hey, who says it’s too early to start matchmaking?!

If you’re not planning a night out at all, Gourmet and Gadgets has everything you need for a perfect Valentines Day at home. From Valentine cookie cutters to a heart bundt pan, you’ll be celebrating Valentines with love and a full tummy from the comfort of your own kitchen. Small Planet has special plans for Valentines Day as well – keep an eye out for their chocolate covered strawberries, yummy and so, so romantic, and Valentines Day cookies to take home to all of your loved ones.

Whatever your Valentines Day plans may be, Lamar Park certainly has you covered. You might love it, you might hate it, but you can certainly celebrate in style.