The Red and Black

Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Variety

Media Credit: JIM DIFFLY Treasures ranging from antique jewelry to horse skulls clad the shelves of new vintage shop, Menagerie. [Click to enlarge]

The word "menagerie" originally was applied to the human containment of exotic animals. Though Athens has recently acquired its own menagerie, a new vintage shop downtown, don't expect to see any wildlife - obscure and exotic, however, is this store's specialty.

Located on Clayton Street in the old Bang-On location, Menagerie is comprised of both vintage and modern clothing from high-end designers as well as unusual or rare pieces.

Anything and everything lines the walls and racks of the store, including jeans, dresses and lingerie; bags, belts and shoes; sunglasses, scarves and leggings; necklaces, bracelets, and pins; mittens, gloves, and hats.

The store even carries specialty costumes. Partner and manager Tonya Gergely recently made two costumes inspired by the movie "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

Menagerie also sell photography books and photos, as well as antique odds and ends, such as animal skulls and bottles that decorate the shelves and walls.

"We wanted to be different," Gergely said.

"My favorite thing," said owner Mary Anne Fletcher, "is Sam Haskins' 'November Girls' book of photography, and I love the skulls."

When asked about her favorite thing in the store, Mia, Gergely's daughter, popped her head up from behind the counter and said, "That one," while pointing to a shiny peacock broach in the glass case.

"[My favorite is] the peach lingerie," Gergely said.

The store was started by Fletcher and Gergely, who have been best friends since their childhood in Athens. Fletcher, living part-time in New York, modeled and styled for many years. Gergely also lived in New York, and she started her own company, MiaLa, which designs and creates bags, clothes, art and costumes.

Gergely and Fletcher have a passion for fashion. When they decided that they wanted to open a store, they couldn't think of a better place than their hometown of Athens, where it would fit in with the culture.

Though Menagerie houses many treasures found by the owner herself, it also operates as a consignment store. After negotiating a starting price and selling the item, the consigner receives 50 percent of the profit. The costs of items depend on the consigner, therefore items in the store have a wide range of prices: anywhere between $3 and $1,300.

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