Johnnie Q is family-owned and operated and located in historic, downtown Franklin, Tennessee. It specializes in jewelry, accessories, vintage home decor, and unique gifts for ladies and gentlemen from a bevy of designers including Jenny Bird, Alexis Bittar, Vanessa Mooney, Gemma Redux, 2 Bandits and many more.
The owner, Brooklyn Byrd, is a graduate of O'More School of Design in Franklin. She grew up the daughter of two ballroom dance instructors for Arthur Murray Studio in Louisville, Kentucky. And as such, the glamour bug bit her at an early age as she was surrounded by graceful women in sparkling gowns and feathered boas accompanied across the dance floor by gentlemen in glittering tuxedos and top hats. In fact, Brooklyn took some of her first steps in her momma's high heels and was driving a miniature pink Barbie Corvette long before she ever had a driver’s license.
Her grandmother, Johnnie Floriene, better known as ‘Memom’ by her loved ones, was a woman with impeccable style. She worked from her home as a makeup artist for Shaklee and never minded when her granddaughters came over to play dress up and experiment with the season’s latest shades. You see, a love of pretty things had been passed down by her mother, who was a seamstress that could replicate the latest fashions in Vogue without a pattern.
Brooklyn's grandfather, David Quitman Byrd, was the eternal romantic in the family who would also offer sage business advice when solicited. To his last day, he surprised his wife of 66 years with roses on her birthday and sweet little mementos at every anniversary.
And this is how Johnnie Q came to earn its name, in honor of and as a tribute to these beloved grandparents who are so sorely missed.
“There’s a touch of family influence in every corner of my shop,” said Brooklyn. “Their photos are displayed throughout and I wouldn’t have had the courage to open the doors without their support. Ever since I was a little girl, I remember looking up to my beautiful grandmother, Memom and seeing photographs of her in the handmade gowns that her mother spent countless hours creating. This boutique is my homage to my family and an opportunity for me to continue that tradition.”
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