Rancho Winslow ‘romantic and chic’

Published 2:00 pm Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Downtown’s newest lifestyle boutique opens its doors to

customer fanfare.

The opening of Rancho Winslow provided “a rock star moment” for its owners.

Amid bouquets of flowers, Susan Pothoff and Deborah Echert welcomed customers who were waiting for them to unlock the door of the Winslow Green boutique Friday afternoon.

They kept coming throughout the day. Those who arrived for the evening’s grand opening fiesta had such a good time they stayed well past the allotted closing.

The tamales flown in from Santa Fe, the band and the clogging were such big hits, people were standing three-deep in front of the shop.

“We stayed until a quarter of 10,” Pothoff said, still amazed by the response. “We were exhausted the next day.”

So much merchandise flew off the shelves Pothoff and Echert had to reorder goods three days later.

Shoppers forged an instant connection with the fresh, eclectic collection of handmade artistic items for the home and heart.

“These are all the things we love,” Echert said. “Everybody commented on how great the store looks. It’s all so positive.”

The partners, friends for more than a decade, made good use of their cozy space. Clothes racks are positioned for comfortable perusal; roomy shelves display earrings and necklaces made of silver and stones, as well as collectibles, good luck charms and other small items; and carved wood angels adorn one wall.

Among the hits were the Virgin of Guadalupe mouse pad and other “kind of spiritual items,” Echert said.

This connection with Mexican and South American folk art has Pothoff and Echert planning a Day of the Dead festival come November.

Customers also took a shine to the whimsical dog ornaments and “cowgirl slippers,” which decidedly are not for roaming the range.

The “petable” Swedish clogs – think cowhide – have garnered a lot of attention, as well. Textile aficionados are especially drawn to the Brazilian woven pieces for bed and tabletop.

Some customers share heartwarming stories of similar items they’ve come across on their travels or while growing up.

Pothoff and Echert scour the country for their specialty items.

Their searches have brought to the shop Maribelle Aztec chocolates, Masai Zulu beads made of grass, vegan handbags and small leather goods, tights from London and Navajo beaded turtle pins.

Especially arresting are velvet dusters and satin carriage coats from Homefrocks, a husband-and-wife team from Santa Fe, and dazzling skirts made from vintage saris.

“We always wanted a shop,” said Echert, a former handbag and shoe buyer who has lived on Bainbridge for 14 years.

While working for Nordstrom, she met Pothoff, a wholesale independent rep for Ralph Lauren and other designers.

Pothoff moved from San Francisco to the island six years ago.

“The shop is definitely an extension of our homes,” Echert said.

She and Pothoff pulled the armchairs and other props from their homes to highlight their lovingly selected merchandise.

The friends said they are thrilled by the accolades their shop has received.

“It was beyond what we thought it would be,” Echert said. “The rustic, romantic lifestyle is not just Southwestern. It’s chic, glamorous and spiritual.”

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Tres Santa Fe

Rancho Winslow is in the Winslow Green. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For information call 842-5454.