The Little Shoppes On High Opens in Olde Towne Portsmouth

Little Shoppes on High is located at 425 High Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA.

GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION

FRIDAY, APRIL 5  2013

REFRESHMENTS SERVED 5:30- 7:30 PM

Welcome to Little Shoppes On High. A fun place to shop because there is something for everyone, and something for the one who has everything.  You will find products that are eco-friendly, funky, traditional and gorgeous.  Little Shoppes On High is an eclectic mix of old and new.  It will become a destination which you will want to return to again and again!

You'll find products that are eco-friendly, funky,
traditional and gorgeous at Little Shoppes on High.

Little Shoppes on High Products

Quirky, Cool and Eco Friendly Products
A funky mix of old and new, vintage and edgy with an eco friendly twist. Nettie Fischer, Proprietor of Little Shoppes on High.

"Retirement did not feel right for Nettie Fischer, Proprietor of Little Shoppes on High.  After many years in the business world and teaching, she felt the desire to open her own fun shop that would become a destination.  She searched for similar minded people who wanted to create their own business in an innovative collaborative way.  Thus, Little Shoppes on High was born."

Glitz By Fritz
Glitz by Fritz offers jewelry and accessories made from recycled materials such as bubble wrap, bicycle inner tubes, vintage buttons, Fair Trade African Paper Beads from Outreach Uganda (www. outreachuganda.org) and even those old school 51/4” floppy disks. Traditional handmade jewelry is also available in a variety of styles.  Artist Audrey Frizzell Lassiter (Fritz).

"Audrey Frizzell Lassiter (Fritz) is a retired teacher who studied jewelry making and soon realized what started as a hobby quickly took over the dining room and spread into the kitchen. Now she has combined her recycling obsession with her jewelry design to create “re” fined jewelry that combine sterling silver with materials destined for the landfill."

Unique jewelry and accessories.

Collectibles from yesteryear to toys that will bring back memories.

Mr. Vintage and Collectibles
From collectibles from yesteryear to toys that will bring back memories, items with historic significance, Bronze, Silver and Golden age comics, to sports cards Spanning 6 decades, Robert has an eclectic mix of personal treasures that he is ready to share. Vendor- Robert M. Ellis.

"Robert M. Ellis has been a fixture in the Portsmouth area for many years behind the scenes.  He has worked at Brutti's for the past 20 years and before that owned High's Ice Cream Parlor on High Street. He is a graduate from Portsmouth Catholic High School."


Caroline Leslie
Caroline Leslie, owned by Jo Perakes, will be carrying boutique baby and children's clothing by Swing Set Designs. Caroline Leslie will also feature Caspari greeting cards, candles and paper products along with Twin Muses greeting cards. Special orders on Caspari paper products are available. Vendor- Jo Perakes.

 "I had the opportunity to move back to the area 17 years ago.  I am a native of Norfolk and choose Olde Towne for its sense  of community and history. My career was in Sales and Marketing, and I traveled extensively through the United States and Europe. During my travels, I shopped in Boutiques that carried local artisan, unique and quality items. Swing Set Designs (owned by my sister-in-law) features one of a kind Baby, Toddler & Children's Clothing. Caspari cards and paper products are globally known for the quality of their design and printing . Caspari is now a Virginia based company with its distribution center in Suffolk, Va.  Twin Muses is an Eco Friendly greeting card line started on Dinwiddie St, here in Olde Towne . I welcome your feedback and will continue to search for quality and unique items for Caroline Leslie."

 Boutique baby and children's clothing by Swing Set Designs.

Hand-painted glass and home decor items from the Painted Lady.

The Painted Lady
Hand-painted glass and home decor items. Artist Jane Puryear.

Small Pleasures
Great antique, collectible glass, vintage embroidered samplers and great accessories. Vendor-Donna Finch .

objets d'art
Paintings and ceramics. Pin-up prints. Artist Betty Cornwell- Estrada.

Colorful quilts at  Little Shoppes on High.

Little shoppes on High in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA.

The Little Shoppes On High business hours:

Tuesday- Saturday  11Am to 7PM

Sunday 12 PM to 5PM  Closed on Mondays

(757) 393 - 1988

Nettie Fischer (local products and new vendor info) - ptown@littleshoppesonhigh.com
Audrey Lassiter (Glitz By Fritz) - audrey@littleshoppesonhigh.com
Robert, Jane, Jo, Betty, and Donna

Like Us on Facebook

Little Shops on High Website

Olde Towne Portsmouth Virginia Holidays and Events Will Include the Bizarre, the Wacky and the Weird!

There's so much to celebrate here in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia.

That's right! Olde Towne Portsmouth Virginia is celebrating bizarre and unique holidays as well as daily, weekly and monthly events observed throughout the year. Each day we plan to post and observe all of the holidays, special, bizarre and wacky days, and weird events too- just about any and everything that we can conger up. Why are you doing this you ask? That's because every day is a great day in Olde Towne and worth celebrating...you wouldn't want to be left out, would you? There is so many people to meet,  places to see, and things to do.

So let's celebrate because everyday is a great day to be in Olde Towne Portsmouth! Follow our daily postings on our Facebook page by following this link- Olde Towne Portsmouth Shopping & Dining 

The Finer Things- A Women's Boutique Celebrates 10 years in Olde Towne Portsmouth

The Finer Things, women's boutique, Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia

Re-posted from Portsmouth Economic Development, Community Business Initiative

The finer things in life are located at 511 Washington Street in Downtown Portsmouth… literally. The Finer Things is a charming, inviting women’s boutique owned by businesswoman and fashionista Beryl Rooks. And this month, The Finer Things celebrates its ten (10) year anniversary as a Downtown Portsmouth go-to for consumers seeking quality garments and classic accessories. Take a walk by this specialty shop, and you’ll be invited in by a vibrant window-dressing. Inside you’ll discover walls filled with timeless fashions, pictures of Beryl’s loved ones, and loyal customers shopping for jewelry and dresses all hand-selected by Beryl from venders in Texas, California, and New York.

Ten years in business is quite the accomplishment, especially given the current economic climate. Beryl credits her success to her experience as an accomplished school administrator and a support system of seasoned professionals. Listening, building relationships, and customer service are skills transferred from past days as an educator to today as a small business owner; Beryl’s business marketing strategy is word-of-mouth advertising through a network of loyal clients, which has proven to be successful in garnering a clientele representing the entire region. Beryl’s daughter, a fashion and merchandising professional, provided the initial inspiration for a trunk show that eventually grew into The Finer Things of today. Professional, working relationships with an accountant and an insurance broker keep Beryl in-the-know about the business’s financial health.

The Finer Things is a “special place for special people.” Stop by to see Beryl Tuesday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. And join the City in congratulating Beryl for a decade of success in Downtown Portsmouth!

Follow the link here to Portsmouth Economic Development (Portsmouth, Virginia)

Cash Mob Hits the Streets in Olde Towne. Come and Join in the Fun!

Portsmouth Hosts the 23rd Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race

Schooners of all shapes and sizes will be docked along Olde
Towne Portsmouth Virginia's waterfront, Saturday, October 13, 2012.

They're schooners here, there and just about everywhere along our riverside and you won’t want to miss it. That’s right, this Saturday, October 13, 2012, the City of Portsmouth, Virginia hosts the 23rd Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race post race celebration.  The world’s largest gathering of schooners will race again from Annapolis, Maryland to Portsmouth, Virginia, with nearly 40 entries in this year's race. They'll be schooners of all types and sizes docked along Portsmouth’s waterfront for you to view, with some open to the public.

You'll also want to spend the day and take in all that Olde Towne has to offer. Stroll along historic High Street and visit our exceptional antique shops, art galleries and unique specialty stores that can only be found in Olde Towne. Have a great lunch or dinner in one of our chef and family owned restaurants, sports bars and pubs...there's plenty to choose from and you'll definitely find one to your liking. Visit the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and the Portsmouth Lightship and the newly renovated and expanded Portsmouth Children's Museum.

For more information, follow the link here to the 23rdAnnual GCBSR Official Race Program and here’s the link to the Great ChesapeakeBay Schooner Race website.  Hope to see you here!

12 Historic Squares of High Street- Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia

History of High Street
Portsmouth was founded as a town in 1752, on 65 acres of land on the shores of the Elizabeth River. The town was founded by William Crawford, a wealthy merchant and ship owner who at various times had held office as the Norfolk County presiding court judge, high sheriff, militia lieutenant colonel and representative to the House of Burgesses. Because of his militia service, he is frequently referred to as "Colonel Crawford." The 65 acres were part of Colonel Crawford's extensive plantation and were constituted as a town by an enabling act of the General Assembly of Virginia.

Portsmouth gets its name from the English naval port of Portsmouth, England. The town was laid out checkerboard style with 122 half-acre lots around its town square at High and Court streets. Streets were organized in a grid pattern with street widths alternating between 32, 50 and 100 feet. Each block or square was named for noted Virginians, Englishmen, or places in England or the United States.
Streets were named similarly. High Street was named for the main commercial corridor in Portsmouth, England. It is 100 feet wide, with two narrow parallel streets of 32-foot widths (Queen and King streets), located to the north and south. Narrower streets served as alleys for High Street, facilitating the access to commercial buildings from the rear.

Towne Square historic marker on High street.

Still standing is the original downtown intersection that the city's founder, Col. William Crawford, dedicated to public use -- one corner each for a church, a market, a courthouse, and a jail. In fact, Trinity Episcopal Church on the southwest corner -- founded in 1762 -- still rings its bells across the street from the 1846 Courthouse that now serves as a museum. With six districts listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, Portsmouth is a history lover's paradise.


Walking Tour
If you head west on High Street, you’ll find shops, restaurants, and museums. The Children’s Museum of Virginia and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame face each other on opposite sides of High Street, offering fun exhibits and interactive activities for people of all ages.

Commodore Theatre

At 421 High Street, you’ll come across the Commodore Theatre. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Virginia Landmarks Register, this old-fashioned theater was built in 1945 and was at the time considered the best-equipped theater in Hampton Roads. Today, the Commodore Theatre has been meticulously restored and continues to be a popular place to catch the latest films.
After checking out the theater, head back east on High Street to the corner of Court Street and High Street, where the city’s founder created a town square. In the original layout for Portsmouth, these four corners were designated for a church, a market, a courthouse and a jail.
On the northwest corner, you’ll see an imposing Greek Revival building, surrounded by a wrought-iron fence and nearly hidden behind the massive oak trees that shade its courtyard. Built in 1846, it served as the Norfolk County Courthouse until 1960. Now it is home to the Courthouse Galleries, an art museum with two spacious galleries of ever-changing exhibits. From the original hand-colored lithographs of John James Audubon to the 17th-century engravings that depict some of the earliest images of Virginia Indians, the Courthouse Galleries museum continually strives to promote a greater appreciation and understanding of the arts.

A Tour of the 12 Merchant Squares of Historic High Street

Colonel Crawford leads a tour up High Street.

Heading West from the Elizabeth River to Effingham Street.

Bloomsberry Square- bounded by Crawford, King, Middle and High Streets- named for Bloomsbury, a district of London, England.

Market Square- bounded by Middle, King, Court and High Streets. In 1752 when Colonel William Crawford established the town of Portsmouth he designated part of this square for a market, hence the name, although a market was never erected at this location.

Church Square- bounded by Court, king, Dinwiddie and High Streets. When William Crawford, founder of Portsmouth, laid out the street plan in 1752, he designated the intersection of High Street and Court Street as the town center and set aside space for a parish church. In 1761, when the Vestry of Trinity Church was formed with Crawford as a member, the original church building comprised most of what is now the nave.

Dinwiddie Square- bounded by Dinwiddie, King, Washington and High street. It was named for Robert Dinwiddie (1693-1770), lieutenant-governor of Virginia, 1751-1758.

Cheshire Square- bounded by Washington, King, Green and High Streets. It was probably named for the English County of Cheshire.

Montgomery Square- bounded by Green, King, Effingham and High Streets. It may have been named after Robert Montgomery (1736-1775), brigadier general in Continental Army who was killed leading the assault on Quebec, or it may have been named after the Herbert family, hereditary Earls of Montgomery.

Heading East from Effingham Street on High Street towards the river.

Washington Square- bounded by Green, High, Effingham and Queen Streets. It was named after George Washington (1732-1799), commander–in-chief of Virginia troops, 1775, and of all Continental troops, 1775, first President of the United States.

Anderson-Wright at Devonshire Square.

Devonshire Square- bounded by Washington, High, Green and Queen Streets. Named after the English County of Devonshire.

Oxford Square- bounded by Dinwiddie, High, Washington and Queen Streets. Named after the well known street in London, England.

Prison Square- bounded by Court, High, Dinwiddie, and Queen Streets. It was so named because Crawford in 1752 had designed part of this square for the erection of a prison.

Courthouse Square- bounded by Middle, High, Court and Queen Streets. Crawford designated part of this same square for the erection of a court house, hence the name Court House Square.

Golden Square- bounded by Crawford, High, Middle and Queen Streets.

Whether coming to visit or an afternoon or an extended stay, historic Olde Towne Portsmouth offers a break from the ordinary. Olde Towne offers
superb shopping and exquisite dining along the High Street corridor
that makes up the 12 historic squares laid out in 1752 by Col. William 
Crawford, the city's founder. Visit Olde Towne's fine antique shops, 
remarkable specialty stores and sophisticated art galleries. Dine in
Portsmouth's exceptional selection of fine restaurants, cafes, bistros and 
pubs for a delectable experience. 
The merchants and restaurant here in Olde Towne are committed to
making your visit as memorable as it is rewarding, showing your that the 
heart of our quaint historic seaport is based on the enduring distinction of 
fine customer service.

Welcome to the Best of Virginia 2012!

Virginia Living Magazine's Best of Virginia 2012

In January and February of 2012, Virginia Living Magazine asked their readers, to tell them their ‘bests’ in everything from dining to doing. And they told them! After receiving nearly 10,000 responses, Virginia Living counted the surveys and compiled the list of winners. They now know the best restaurants and bars, shops and boutiques, even dermatologists and architects from across the five regions of Virginia—Eastern, Northern, Central, Southwestern and the Shenandoah Valley.

As expected, Olde Towne Portsmouth fared well in the competition and beat out some pretty respectable Hampton roads competition in both food and drink categories and shopping and services. Here's the list of Olde Towne Portsmouth's distinguished winners from the Best of Virginia 2012! You can also preview all of the winners around the commonwealth by clicking here.

BEST RESTAURANTS AND BARS

Best Cheap Place to Grab Lunch- Baron's Pub (third place)

Best Continental Cuisine- Cafe Europa (third place)

Best Fusion Cuisine- Still Eclectic (third place)

Best Martini Bar- Still Eclectic (second place)

Best Nightclub- The Mansion (first place)

Best Place for Cocktails- Still Eclectic (first place)

Best Place to Buy Beer- Bier Garden (first place)

Best Sports Bar- Roger Brown's (first place)

BEST SHOPPING AND SERVICES

Best Home Decor Store- Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery (second place)

Best Man-Cave Store- Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery (first place)

Best Marine Supply- Mile Marker "0" Marine Supply (second place)

To purchase your copy of Virginia Living's Best of Virginia 2012 issue, visit any quality newsstand across the state, or click here to buy online.