Nelson, Long venture into ‘Lowest Greenville’ to open Art & Lily boutique
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| SEXY SHOPKEEPERS: Floral artist Bryan Long, left, and visual art whiz David Nelson |
Last Friday afternoon, David Nelson’s cue-ball head was practically glowing on the Greenville Avenue sidewalk outside of his newest venture, Art & Lily. He’s talking to AT&T about getting the phone line installed into his boutique, which is packed with the nifty chandeliers, cool portrait paintings, Nelsons’ nude drawings, sharp black-and-white photography, comfy chairs and sofas, antique rugs, a ginormous African mask, a coffee shop and a floral design studio.
Located next door to Lula B’s Antique Mall, "in ‘Lowest Greenville,’" Nelson says, Art & Lily has been open less than three hours. And the shop is already bustling with foot traffic.
Nelson and his helpful barista Maryann laugh about how, in the late ’70s, they used to slamdance there when the space was a punk club called D.J.’s.
Like a scene from a gay episode of "The Simpsons," Nelson immediately points out one of Greenville Avenue’s local celebrities.
"She’s the neighborhood drunk," Nelson gushes. "She asked me for an application, but we’re already fully staffed. I mean, to afford her drinking habit, she must have a trust fund, right?"
Art & Lily is worth stopping in just to engage Nelson in conversation. As a former creative director for the DIFFA Dallas Collection, he keeps Big D fabulously weird — a commodity in short supply in Bush’s new hometown.
From the back of the store enters Bryan Long, a bearded heartthrob. Long is the "Lily" part of the boutique. And with his bear-hug arms, he carries in boxes of roses, hydrangeas and bouquets of freesia.
We have about two minutes to snap a photo on this historic "first day of business."
Do they expect a busy Valentines Day?
"Of course," Long says.
What kinda flowers do you send to the person you just broke up with?
"A bouquet of just stems with the heads cut off," Nelson laughs.
WIDE OPEN
Art & Lily, 2000 Greenville Ave. at Oram Street
Open: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m.
214-370-9700 • ArtAndLily.biz
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition January 16, 2009.