in the neighborhood with Mandy Haynes

in the neighborhood with Mandy Haynes

Fifi’s Fine Resale Apparel

Fifi Queen’s story is as colorful as the summer dresses for sale in her boutique. She is a self-taught pianist, a graduate of the Barbizon School of Modeling, and was once ranked the sixth best female amateur golfer in North Florida by the North Florida Golf Journal. It’s no surprise she’s been included in Who’s Who Among Young People in America, as well as Who’s Who in Business America.

“I was born in the small town of Waynesville, North Carolina. As the oldest of five children, I was my mother’s helper, and I worked hard to help raise my younger siblings. There wasn’t a lot of extra money to buy the clothes I longed for in the fashion magazines I read, but it didn’t stop me from window shopping,” says Fifi.

She first came to the island as a piano bar entertainer at the Admiral’s Lounge on Amelia Island Plantation, but her longtime love of fashion inspired her to open her first Fifi’s Fine Resale Apparel Boutique in Jacksonville in 1986. Six years later, she opened Fifi’s Fine Resale on Amelia Island. “The island has a strong sense of community with a real down-home feel. It lures you back time and time again.”

At Fifi’s, you’ll find a large selection of name brands, such as Lilly, Chico, J McLaughlin, Eileen Fisher, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Coco Chanel, all at pocket-friendly prices. Fifi’s Fine Resale Apparel is located at 4802 First Coast Highway in the Harris Teeter Shopping Plaza. Call the store at (904) 310- 3773 or visit their website at fifisfineresale.com.

Olive Amelia

What began on a vacation trip in 2014 for Buddy Holwell and his wife, Kim, eventually turned into a new store for Amelia Island. “We fell in love with the olive oils and balsamic vinegars we found in a shop while on a trip to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Olive oil is not only great to cook with, but many of our customers use it for medicinal purposes because of its great health benefits.” They decided that the concept of an olive oil and balsamic tasting bar would be a great fit for Amelia Island.

Recently, Olive Amelia relocated to Centre Street in Fernandina Beach. “We are so blessed by our local customers, who sustain us all year and return frequently for their favorites and to sample our new items,” says Buddy. “We are especially thankful for the support given to us through these recent trying times.” The wide selection of oils come from all over the world and includes ultra-premium extra virgin olive oils from mild to robust. In addition, they have a wide selection of fine balsamic vinegars. They also carry all-natural beauty products and soaps, all of which are made with extra virgin olive oil.

Stop by and sample the delicious olive oils, varietal olive oils, balsamic vinegars, seasonings, and specialty foods available from Olive Amelia, located at 206 Centre Street. And make sure to check their website at www.oliveamelia.com for dozens of recipes that might just inspire your family’s new favorite dish. For more information, call the store at (904) 310-3603 or email oliveamelia@gmail.com.