When looking back over the past 40 years of The Yellow Canary, I think I need to start at the very beginning. As a child, I always loved playing with my Barbies and
Annaliese Kondo, Studio Pixel Pop
making most of their clothes. (In fact, I may still have those Barbies under lock and key!). My mom and dad are a huge factor in who I am today and have always supported me. They actually gave me my first toy cash registser so I could play "Shop." I had a vision early on about my future.
I graduated from the University of Georgia in 1984 with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and moved to St Simons Island after graduation. I was with the store from the ground floor up when The Yellow Canary opened in 1984. In 2006, I bought the business and have loved every minute of it—except maybe the paperwork! I adore every aspect of retail, especially my work family and all of my customers that come from all over.
I have always been community driven and I'm so proud of the lifelong friendships turned family that have been made along the way. This includes “The Canaries” who have made up our work family through these four decades, like the sweet seamstress Ana Correia who worked in our shop for many years. There are so many friends and family members who have supported the store, including some Canaries who started in back in the 80s and still fill in from time to time. It’s been wonderful to share the friendship and love over these past 40 years!
Elegant Island Living/Julie Andrew
At The Yellow Canary, we feel strongly about supporting the community and our local charities. For instance, we love to do the fashion show for CASA of Glynn. Lillian Clarke was one of our favorites. Some others that we have supported through the years by participating in fashion shows or donating items or gift certificates for auction include: the Wine, Women & Shoes fashion show that benefits Hospice of the Golden Isles, the Pirates of the Spanish Main fashion show, American Cancer Society, Memory Matters, Frederica Academy’s Derby Day, St. Simons Christian School, and numerous others. We believe wholeheartedly in giving back to the community because they support us every day.
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Of course, I have to give the biggest thank you of all to my family for being my best cheerleaders. My husband Larry (a realtor with DeLoach Sotheby's), our daughter Wesley, and sons Matt, Andrew and Bennett have each played a large role in helping to make The Canary a success. From moving racks to changing light bulbs, they've done it all. Wesley works anytime she can fit it in her schedule. She started helping with the shop and attending apparel markets when she was 12 years old! My sister Landa in Williamsburg, Virginia even shows her support by sending pictures of all our goodies to her friends there and showing off all her favorites so they buy them too!
We’ll be holding a celebration on Tuesday, October 22 to thank all of the friends of The Yellow Canary for their wonderful support throughout the years. Please join us! The Canaries and I thank you all for being a part of our story!
The Yellow Canary
Women's Apparel & Accessories Boutique
3600 Frederica Road, #7
St. Simons Island, GA 31522
912.638.4061
