This Saturday, summer is on sale in San Marco. Select boutiques and restaurants will be offering big savings from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. this Saturday, July 10^th. Boutiques participating include Therapie, Reve, III Lions Gifts, 1^st Place Sports, Rosie True, Black Bean and Olive. Look for the sidewalk sale at these merchants in the Square.

In celebration of the sale, here’s a little detail about the stores participating.

Therapie – Nothing in this store is priced over $100. On trend women’s clothing for a great price.

Reve – Originally in 5 Points, stocked with trendy, fun women’s clothes.

III Lions Gifts – The source for anything Vera Bradley. Also well stocked with gift items and jewelry.

1^st Place Sports – A runner’s mecca. Not only do they have the latest clothing and equipment but are also the place for details on any upcoming race in the City.

Rosie True – Filled with colorful tunics, summer must haves, the perfect flip flops, and accessories. They are currently holding a makeover contest so be sure to enter while you are there.

Black Bean – Cuban food at it’s best. Kids eat free every night of the week.

Olive – From causal chic to out on the town. Women, you can find it all and accessorize at Olive.

One of our favorite place to find the best shirts and jeans, Rosie True, is offering a 50% sale on the entire store. All sales items are final. Everything is on sale: shoes, accessories, clothes. The sale is on now. So if things are 50% off is it ok to buy double? I think that adds up.

If you can’t take advantage of the sale, you can enter to win a $1,000 make-over from the Rosie True Girls. Every moth they will pick a winner for a full hair, make-up and style make-over. Nominate a friend, relative, co-worker, neighbor and see the Rosie True transformation. Rosie True plans to continue the monthly make-overs until they have styled all of Jacksonville. Sort of like fashion’s answer to the Better Jacksonville Plan. Join the fashion revolution.

When Gardner’s of Ortega decided to pull out of their Hendricks Avenue location, Patricia Rock decided to stay put. Rock, surprised by San Marco’s enthusiastic response to a local florist, opened her own shop, La Flora, in the Hendricks Avenue location Gardner’s was occupying. Rock has over 20 years experience in floral design and previously worked for Gardner’s of Ortega in the San Marco location.

La Flora sells flowers by the stem as well as arrangements. Stop in and smell the roses at 3915 Hendricks Avenue.

The shops and restaurants in San Marco will be hosting “An Affair in the Square” every Thursday night from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Tomorrow night is the first night of the affair. Select stores will stay open until 9:00 p.m. and restaurants and bars will feature enhanced happy hour offerings. So why wait for Friday night to get out and enjoy the Square. Get some drinks, shop around and enjoy!

Stores open until 9:00 p.m. include:
Rosie True
Three Lions
Peterbrooke
Olive
Reve
Pulp
Therapie
Leila’s
San Marco Bookstore

Happy Hour Details:
Square One – live music from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., $2.00 off specialty cocktail menu items, and 2-4-1 cocktails, domestic draft and house wines
Pizza Palace – live music, $1.50 drafts, and $4.00 house wines
The Grotto – all wine $1.00 off from 4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Taverna – happy hour from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and sparkling wine cocktail half price
Matthew’s – live music by Matt Hall, all appetizers $6.00, Lemongrass martini for $5.00
T.A.G. – wine and cheese on the outdoor patio and all wine $4.00 per glass

Ladies, the search is over. The ultimate purse organizer is found in San Marco’s very own The Wardroom Ltd –it’s the Pouchee.  A place for everything near and dear to our purses in one organized little pouch.  It’s available in many colors to compliment any outfit, and it is easily transferred  from one big bumbling bag to the next.  Seriously, it is quite the find! The Wardroom Ltd.  is located in the square at 1969 San Marco Boulevard.

We are sad to report that Karls’ will be leaving San Marco Square to set-up shop in the Boutiques at the Town Center. The store anticipates the move will take place in mid-March. We will miss their amazing selection of men’s suits and women’s formal wear. We will are not looking forward the drive out to the Town Center to visit the store. With another San Marco merchant closing, it is a good reminder to shop local!

Villa Rugosa has roses and will be open on Sunday. If you have yet to get roses for your sweetheart or want fresh roses on Sunday, call Villa Rugosa at 425.2439. One dozen arranged roses will cost you $39.95. Located between Subway and Marble Slab at the Atlantic and Hendricks intersection, are the roses for your happy Valentine’s Day.

If you have never tried Smith’s Rosebud Salve, now is the time. It is a miracle cure for dry, chapped lips. Considering the weather we’re having you can’t be without it. The miracle salve also treats the sting of minor burns and calms skin irritations. Forever, it has been sold in a tin, now it comes in a convienient tube. Buy one for home, the car, work, wherever.

Get it now at Robert’s Southbank Pharmacy (1652 Atlantic Boulevard right across from Fletcher Park). Robert’s not only has the traditional Rosebud Salve, in the tin and the tube, but also fun flavors like mocha rose, minted rose, and menthol and eucalyptus.

Treat your valentine to a little pampering with a relaxing massage and facial treatment at MAC Hair Studio.  Not just for the ladies.   Your special valentine will be thrilled to receive a gift certificate for the extraordinary spa services offered by Amber and Casey or other salon services offered by the talented stylists at MAC.  A gift certificate from MAC Hair Studio is sure to get you a big thank you!

Stop by MAC Hair Studio located at 3831 Hendricks Avenue to pick up a gift certificate today.

The first San Marco pop-up gallery is opening. Super Wonderful will open Friday, February 12 at 1992 San Marco Boulevard, right next to the San Marco Theater. Super Wonderful was established by Kyle Lemstrom, local artist and manager of the San Marco Theater. The first show will run from February 12 – 26 and will feature local artist including: Matt Allison, Clay Doran, Barrett Fiser, Tonya Lee, Kyle Lemstrom, and Jen Morgan. With a name like Super Wonderful, it has to be great.

Pop-up galleries have been happening across the country as stores close and landlords look for inventive ways to get tenants in their empty spaces. Locally downtown has seen the rise of pop-up galleries like NullSpace and 229 Hogan. There have been whispers about the San Marco merchants starting an Art Walk. Maybe with the addition of Super Wonderful, those whispers will become a reality. Super Wonderful will bring a new vibrancy to the Square for 2010.