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A boutique with a vintage twist just opened in downtown Gig Harbor.
Owner Starr Hall opened the doors to Arch and Starr on Thursday, July 13 at 7807 Pioneer Way.
The boutique’s hours are Thursday through Monday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The space was formerly Boujie Boutique, which closed June 30. Its owners hope to open a sweets shop just down the street later this year.
Inside Arch and Starr, you’ll find items from around the world.
Whether it’s a piece of clothing, or something for your bedroom or kitchen counter — Hall has personally picked every item.
Almost every piece has a story, she told the Gateway.
Hall is a world traveler. Many of her pieces she found abroad and shipped home to resell.
Sprinkled in you’ll also come across art and miscellaneous items from friends of Hall’s back in California and from friends she found abroad.
Hall also sells her own candle and skincare line at the store.
A reclaimed wood table from India, Italian leather couch, a biker jacket from Spain, and Peruvian bed linens are all for sale.
Once an item is sold she’ll replace it with something from her collection of finds.
Hall values sustainability and has made conscious decisions about her pieces, she said.
When something is shipped to her, she requests that it’s not packed in Styrofoam.
If you look up you’ll see a taxidermy deer head for sale mounted to the wall. She said the deer died of natural causes.
“A lot of these pieces are so special to me and not only have they been possibly in my own home, but many other stores that I curated and showrooms throughout my career,” Hall said.
Her dog was her savior
The name of her store represents a friendship she holds close to her heart, she said.
The name Arch is short for Archie, Hall’s 6-year-old Pomeranian.
After going through a divorce, Hall decided to pick up her life and move to Gig Harbor four months ago — a place she’d visited many times when traveling to Washington.
She was formerly in Santa Barbara, California where she owned boutiques, restaurants and bars.
On days she may have been struggling and upset, Archie was there to cheer her up, she said.
As a tribute to Archie, Hall decided to have a small section of pet couture items including wool dog toys, apparel, and accessories.
Archie has his own dog bed up front near the register for days he’ll be in the store with Hall.
Men’s den
When she moved here, Hall felt there weren’t many places for men to shop.
Arch and Starr has a small room in the back that she plans to turn into a space for men’s vintage apparel and gifts.
Until that happens, she has some items scattered throughout the store including pocket knives and a book showcasing the proper ways to take care of a beard. Both will make their way into the den when it’s ready.