Still, the meeting sparked Chris's imagination. A talented interior
designer with 20 years' experience, she envisioned the success they
could have together. Few people have the language skills to buy direct
from France. Most are forced to rely on others to select their
merchandise and negotiate the price. Even Renee, the logical teacher,
could see the possibilities.
Just a week later, the two formalized their partnership, which
includes their husbands, Terry Hunt and Storm Carr. Soon, Chris and
Renee were making travel plans, and in June 1999 they came back with
their first container of antiques. They now spend at least two months
out of the year traveling in France and throughout Europe.
Renee's negotiating skills and fluency in French paired with Chris's
design talent have enabled the partners to find treasures such as the
8-foot-tall, 18th-century hand-carved Louis XV walnut clock that was
sold recently to a Little Rock collector. "A lot of people have
pickers--they're French people who pick out pieces and then send
photographs to American dealers," Renee explains. "It's a whole
different thing when we are looking at it ourselves--Chris with her
great eye and me finding out as much as I can about the piece. That
makes a huge difference in the quality of what we bring back."
French Quarters certainly reflects their success. As soon as you
walk in the front door, you're instantly transported to Europe. Scenes
from a French village cover the walls, providing the perfect setting for
the fine merchandise. Selections range from marble-top tables and
hand-carved armoires to rustic mustard pots and dainty Limoges boxes.
"Often what we seek can be found in our own backyards," Chris muses.
"People who discover our shop while passing through the Ozarks or on our
Web site are amazed that our
prices are usually half of what they have seen elsewhere. We truly bring
the French countryside to middle America."
French Quarters Antiques: 11 North Block Avenue, Fayetteville,
AR 72701; (479) 443-3355 or www.french-quarters.com.
