The Original Patricia Shoppe
Born Margaret Lucille McGrath in 1905, her brothers gave her the new name of Patricia when they rented her a workshop in 1937 for her seamstress projects and teasingly named it Patricia Shoppe (after the Latin word Patrician, meaning "upper class"). She soon was so busy that she never had the time to take the sign down.
The first Patricia Shoppe was located at 11127 Vernon Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Patricia, known for ability to emphasize only the best of a woman's shape, specialized in custom designs. Patricia's clients were as dynamic as Patricia herself as well as a product of the times they lived in: middle-class American housewives, the swelling ranks of "working girls" and businesswomen, and well-known socialites.
In the mid-1950s, Patricia Shoppe moved to the popular South Shore neighborhood, setting up shop at 2543 East 79th Street. The store grew into a full-service women's boutique and enjoyed 30 years of business until Patricia's retirement in 1967. Patricia was ahead of her time in many ways—at a time in American history where the role of a woman was so contrary to one's dreams, Patricia was determined to have her own business, to raise her son on her own, and really enjoy life. And she did it - all 91 years of it - in style.
Patricia Shoppe Today
Erin Anschutz, Patricia's great-granddaughter, grew up four hours north of Chicago on Wisconsin's Door Peninsula, where Patricia and her family had vacationed since the 1930's. Shopping trips to Chicago with Patricia and looking through her fashion magazines and photos created Erin's love of fashion and anything vintage.
Inspired by Patricia's era and personal style and colored by the lens of Erin's own unique vision, Patricia Shoppe was reborn and opened May 4, 2001 in the waterfront village of Egg Harbor. Now celebrating over 20 years in business and 50 years of history the shoppe celebrates women; supporting many small women owned businesses & beautiful products created by women both locally and internationally. Located in a restored historic building it has come full circle embracing history, and the love for all things beautiful, especially ourselves and our ability to create and express our own unique persona. Doing life like Patricia - in style.
