Ask a woman her favorite things and shoes and wine are likely to place high on the list. So it was with Jennifer Parkman, who married two of her favorite things and brought them to life (along with her best friend Cynthia McMillioan) with Blue Suede Shoes + Wine. On a S. 1st Street next to newly opened Picnik, Blue Suede is a women’s shoe and accessories boutique where you can, shop, enjoy a beverage and host a happy hour in the lounge. It can accommodate 30-40 people!
Open since January, Blue Suede features notable designers such as Dolce Vita, Seychelles, Matisse, Donald Pliner, Yellow Box, Tamaris, and more, in addition to being the exclusive carrier in Austin for shoe brands, including Jeffrey Campbell.
The shoes and wines are curated from all over, but Jennifer and Cynthia give a lot of love to local brands throughout the store. The stock of cider and beer are from Austin Eastciders and Austin Beerworks, they offer cheese boards made with Antonelli’s Cheese and serve fresh coffee from Austin Roasting Company. There’s jewelry from local designers for sale and candles – that from Deuxmoon, owned by sisters in Austin. We caught up with Jennifer to learn more about the women behind Blue Suede.
How and when did you and Cynthia meet?
We met 10 years ago when we played tennis against each other and Cynthia called me out on my foot faults as if we were playing Wimbledon instead of recreational tennis! Days later we met up for drinks with mutual friends and laughed about the ridiculousness of the entire thing and became fast friends.
What led you to opening Blue Suede?
When I lived in Chicago I loved going to Lori’s Shoes, a shoe boutique where all of the sizes were out and you could try on anything without having to ask someone to get your size. Lori’s Shoes was always packed with friends having fun trying on shoes and I would think, “If you just added wine to this…”
What did you do before owning the shoe store?
We were both mainly stay-at-home-moms, but I was formerly a Licensed Veterinary Technician and Cynthia did some side gigs as a realtor and home builder with her husband.
What was the inspiration for the name?
It came to me on a long car ride from Colorado back to Austin. Literally, it just popped in my head and I loved it. It has nothing to do with Elvis!
What’s been the most challenging part about opening and owning a new store?
Figuring it out! There are so many variables you don’t consider because you don’t know what you don’t know. From design and build out to choosing every single item for sale in the store, we’ve had to remind each other that we will always be able to figure it out.
What’s been the most rewarding part?
Creating an incredible space where you get to work with your best friend. And, seeing people come in the door with this “wow” look on their face as they take it all in.
And you host wine tastings?
Yes, every 6-8 weeks. They’re $20/person and if you spend $75 or more on any merchandise in the store, the $20 fee goes toward that.
Each of your favorite quotes?
Our favorite quote is “we will figure it out.” In the beginning, we found ourselves saying it so frequently that it became a joke, so we ended up having it tattooed on the side of our arms. Now, whenever someone says “we will figure it out” everyone on our team holds up their arms.
Anything you’d like to add?
Just that as two best friends who get to go to work together every day, it is not lost on us how fortunate we are. We took something we are passionate about and combined it with a bunch of ridiculously talented female friends who were willing to help us get it off the ground and make us look good. Add in our talented staff who work with us every day at Blue Suede, further creating the space we had envisioned, and we are nothing but grateful.
Blue Suede is located at 1600 S. First St., Ste,. 120, Austin, TX and offers two hours complimentary parking in the Willa Garage. Enter the garage on Monroe St.
For information, please visit bluesuedeaustin.com and follow on Instagram @bluesuedeaustin.