Luxury glass boutique Estelle debuts first-ever showroom in Sundance Square
February 4,2021
See full CultureMap article by Stephanie Allmon Merry here.
A luxury hand-blown glass purveyor has debuted its first-ever showroom in Fort Worth's Sundance Square. Estelle Colored Glass opened its doors February 4 at 112 East Fourth St., in the space most recently occupied by Tervis.
Not only is the 1,800-square-foot showroom Estelle’s first and only retail location in the world, but, according to a release, it's Sundance Square’s first brick-and-mortar storefront for a "digitally native" brand.
What, exactly, does that mean?
According to the release, shoppers will be able to browse Estelle's full collection of glassware in-person before purchasing. But, a limited selection of items will be available onsite for customers to take home immediately. The bulk of purchases will be ordered onsite and online, then delivered directly to the customer’s home.
So, fewer options for picking up a last-minute gift on the way to the wedding. More rewards if you plan ahead and order for delivery.
“This model, like Warby Parker and Bonobos, allows Estelle to minimize the cost of holding inventory," explains Bill Boecker, president of Sundance Square Management, in a release. "It’s the future of retail, which is right where we want to be."
Estelle Colored Glass is a Black-owned business with a charming backstory. "Estelle" was founder Stephanie Summerson Hall's grandmother (affectionately known as "Big Mama"), who loved antiquing in towns around her home in South Carolina.
"My favorite collection that she was always adding to was her colored glass collection," Hall says on her website. "This marked the start of my love for colored glass. My grandmother often used her colored glass pieces at Sunday dinners ... Under my grandmother's tutelage, I learned my first fundamental cooking techniques all the while spending invaluable time side by side with her in the kitchen and accompanying her on shopping trips."
The pieces are carried in high-end boutiques like Madison, Blue Print, and Talulah & Hess in Dallas, but nowhere else in Fort Worth, according to the website.
Fort Worth showroom shoppers will find luxe, hand-blown colored glass cake stands and stemware in a mix of jewel tones and soft pastels. The collection is made up of original commissioned pieces made by glass artisans in Poland at a glass making company with a rich 100-plus-year-old history, the release says.
"Estelle Colored Glass pieces are vintage-inspired, yet refined and modern, reminiscent of a past time," they say.
A set of six colorful wine stemware glasses runs about $175; decanters, $150; and cake stands, $225.
The store is open by appointment only. To make a shopping appointment, email estelle@sundancesquare.com. Fort Worth shoppers can also visit www.estellecoloredglass.com and use code “fortworth10” for a 10 percent discount.