Michaela Bechler CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dora Sison
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Sandy Stein SALES Lauren Cunningham, Alyssa Hauptmann, Bennett Geston, Abigail Bordelon, Kelly Sonnier, Charlie Thomas
CONTRIBUTOR Sarah Ravits
TRAFFIC MANAGER Jason Whittaker
SENIOR CONTRIBUTING CREATIVE Emma DaVia
CONTRIBUTING CREATIVES Maria Boue, Gavin Donaldson, Scott Forsythe, Jasmyne White
I’ve said it before, but there’s something so nostalgic about August. The back-to-school energy makes everything feel like a fresh start, and now that I’m officially living on a school schedule again, I can genuinely feel the shift from summer to fall (even if the temperatures don’t reflect it!).
Currently reading: The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson
Excited for: What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking: Make It Fast by Caroline Chambers (out August 11). I’m a longtime subscriber to her Substack and loved her last book, so ready to try some new and quick recipes!
Hyper fixation meal: I cannot stop eating La Boulangerie’s Arugula Salad. The main ingredients change with the seasons, but I’m especially loving the peaches right now.
W ith that sense of renewal in mind, this issue of The Pearl focuses on interiors. I think it's safe to say that there is no greater city than New Orleans for beautiful homes and distinctive styles! Home Tour highlights an Irish Channel charmer designed by Carleton Young. The use of color, pattern, and blending of old and contemporary pieces is inspiring and a testament to finding unique ways to use existing pieces. Plus, can we talk about that yellow range?! Marquet, a new store opening on Magazine Street, shares this sentiment. Already brimming with treasures, the shop is guaranteed to become your new go-to for gifts and special finds, each handpicked by owner and designer Jenny Vorhoff. Read all about it in In Good Company.
If you’re looking for an easy and often affordable way to refresh your space, consider the charm of a plate wall. In Now Trending, Angela DiSimone of Avis Aldine (one of my favorite shops to browse and take visitors!) and interior designer Maureen Stevens share their tips and tricks to creating a meaningful display. I actually did my own mini wall with two plates I sourced from a recent H&H Estate Sale!
Our shopping stories are always fun to work on, and I especially loved how Sorbet Shades came together. Expect to see plenty of pinks and oranges around town as we shift seasons. We also included some great home décor and back-to-school finds.
New + Now always kicks off the issue, and this month’s blurbs all share a common theme of connection. It was a delight to chat with Chef Frank Brigtsen about his first cookbook and Adam Gerber and Kelly Walker about their new ventures in frozen custard and backgammon. Meeting Rufus, our August Shop Dog, was also a big work highlight. He is so sweet and absolutely enamored with his new mom Judith.
I hope you enjoy this issue! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming up this fall!
— Michaela Bechler
BY MICHAELA BECHLER
Chef Frank Brigtsen, the chef and owner of Brigtsen’s Restaurant, says he always knew that he needed to write a cookbook, and the timing of Color of Flavor: Recipes and Recollections from a Creole Chef seems like an “alignment of the stars.” He was approached by his good friend Ricky Thomas, the owner of Blue Runner Foods and a fellow Creole cuisine enthusiast, to write a cookbook in December 2024. “I said yes, and we shook hands,” he shares. (According to Ricky’s foreword in the book, it might have taken a little more convincing.) “Our hope was to have the book ready for Brigtsen’s 40th anniversary in March 2026. It took a few months longer, but that is a tribute to the dedication and commitment of the incredible team that put it all together.”
The large coffee table book is a mix of diners’ favorite dishes from the menu alongside more approachable recipes like Pimento Cheese Dip and Broccoli au Gratin. “It was important for me to document as many of our menu dishes as possible, for posterity.” Most recipes include “Chef’s Notes,” which range from context and origins of a dish to tips on why he does things a certain way. There’s even a story about cooking for Julia Child sprinkled in the notes for the Shrimp Creole with Pesto Rice recipe. Larger stories are placed throughout the book and cover his time under Chef Paul Prudhomme and how Chef Frank and his wife Marna opened Brigtsen’s Restaurant in 1986. Be sure to look for little morsels of wisdom, like “the most important guest in the restaurant is the next one,” or fun facts about the cozy Dante Street cottage.
Celebrate Color of Flavor with Chef Frank on Saturday, August 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (2800 Chartres Street), where he has been Chef-in-Residence of the Culinary Arts department since its inception. Get your cookbook signed during the event or most evenings at Brigtsen’s Restaurant. The weekly schedule can be found on Facebook and Instagram.
Why did you want Color of Flavor to be a coffee table cookbook?
This is my first cookbook after 53 years in the kitchens of New Orleans. I knew this would be the big one, both figuratively and literally. The layout and design team at Brand Society felt the same way. It is not just a collection of recipes, but the story of my life, in stories and pictures.
What is one recipe that you hope readers will try?
My mom had a step-by-step process of making Roast Turkey & Gravy (pgs. 209-211) for Thanksgiving dinner. Now my readers have an actual recipe that takes the guesswork out of our most important meal of the year.
What is one recipe that seems more intimidating than it actually is?
My Franksgiving Gumbo (pgs. 43-45) is my favorite gumbo of all. Using the leftover turkey carcass and bits of roast turkey, this may be the easiest gumbo in the book, perfect for Thanksgiving weekend enjoyment.
723 DANTE STREET
Inspired by her love of backgammon and bringing people together, Kelly Walker recently launched Pip Social Club , a recurring game night in neighborhood bars around the city. “I'm an architectural designer and project manager, so creating thoughtful spaces and experiences is something I naturally gravitate toward,” she shares. “Pip Social Club is an extension of that — designing opportunities for people to gather and connect.”
After the success of Saint Mahj, a local mahjong community Kelly also founded, she set her sights on backgammon, a crowd favorite game among all ages. Easy to learn and naturally social, Kelly loves that backgammon blends strategy and luck. “It [also] gives people a reason to put their phones away and be present with one another. Backgammon has a way of slowing people down. You share stories, meet new people, and before you know it, a couple of hours have passed. In a world where so much happens through screens, I think that's incredibly valuable.”
Pip Social Club is currently free and open to the public, and beginners are encouraged to take a lesson or two before attending an open play night. If you’re still getting the hang of the game, players like Ali Gourlay, an integral part of Pip Social Club’s creation, are there to help. “Ali shares her knowledge of backgammon by offering tutorials and helping new players feel comfortable at the table. Her passion for the game and generosity in teaching others has been invaluable, and she's become such an important part of the Pip experience.”
At its core, Pip Social Club prioritizes community over competition and is designed to feel both elevated and approachable. “If someone leaves having met a new friend, learned something new, or simply had a great night out, then we've done exactly what we set out to do.”
@PIPSOCIALCLUB
Ruthie’s Frozen Custard recently opened its doors and has quickly made many New Orleanians newfound custard fans. Adam Gerber, an ice cream afficionado, always knew that he would have his own store one day. “Since I was about seven years old, I started collecting ice cream scoopers. I still have a collection of about 300 of them. They’re from all eras, but the oldest one is from about 1912.”
Adam worked at ice cream stores in high school before attending Loyola University on an opera scholarship. He stepped over into music event production and eventually moved up the ranks to help run some of the largest events around the globe (including at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, where he met his wife Marion). From there, he moved into the touring side of the industry. “The whole time I knew that when I was ready to be done with the road, I would open something like Ruthie’s. I knew I wanted to do it here, in New Orleans. I’ve truly been everywhere, and there’s nowhere else I’ve been that is as special as this place; trust me, I’ve checked.”
During a stint in Chicago during the pandemic, Adam worked at a family-owned custard shop, where he learned all about frozen custard, how the business worked, and what it could be. For those unfamiliar, frozen custard is a type of ice cream that contains egg yolk and less air. Ruthie’s, which is named for both Adam’s grandmother and great-aunt, churns its custard daily, and guests can choose from Vanilla, Chocolate, a Flavor of the Day, and a Vegan Flavor of the Day (Vanilla or Chocolate). The dessert can be enjoyed as a scoop with or without toppings or in a Spinner, Shake, or Sundae. Ruthie’s also collaborated with Congregation Coffee this summer to create a special flavor that has become a customer favorite. “Each time we’ve made twice as much of it as any other Flavor of the Day, and we still can’t stop selling out of it.”
When designing the space, Adam imagined a place that was cool for adults and comfortable for kids (“We wanted to be like Pixar,” he shares), which led to the “1970s Catskill diner feel.” The store came together with the help of his old friend and interior designer Meg Geraci, architect Matthew Raybon of Colectivo, and general contractor Christine Barnhill with BillBar Construction. There is ample seating inside and out with plenty of porch space for standing with an outdoor order window for enjoying your custard on the go. Ruthie’s is currently open Wednesday-Sunday, with expanded hours coming this fall.
Adam says the thesis of Ruthie’s is pretty simple: be a place people want to go. “We’re here to make good nights last a little longer, bad days a little easier, and normal days more joyful. We are here to bring everyday joy to everyday people…I believe normal people deserve nice things and that if you treat normal people with dignity and respect, they will return it in kind.”
2506 JENA STREET
BY SARAH RAVITS | PHOTOS COURTESY OF AVIS ALDINE
Di spla y-worthy dishware isn’t meant to be tucked away in cabinets or used exclusively for special occasions and holidays anymore. Décor enthusiasts are using vintage and antique plates as art pieces and incorporating them into visual displays that tell a story.
According to Maureen Stevens, a local interior designer, vintage plates and china are moving well beyond the table and are being treated as décor. This emerging trend aligns with the “Grandmillennial” aesthetic — sometimes known as “granny chic” — which surfaced as a reaction to the overly minimalistic, predominantly neutral looks that dominated a decade ago. Instead, this style relies on “personal relics, collections, and family history for a warm, collected feel,” Maureen says.
One popular way to showcase fabulous plates is on the wall. Angela DiSimone, founder of the vintage houseware shop Avis Aldine on Magazine Street, says the plate wall trend is often rooted in nostalgia and an evolution of the gallery wall, which is a way to incorporate different, eclectic patterns and collectibles in a cohesive way. As with a gallery wall, building a plate wall is supposed to be fun, and it can also be a social activity. “You can go out and about and grab your friends. I have customers who come in here while traveling, and they’re grabbing a plate everywhere they travel,” Angela says.
Before she opened up her shop on Magazine Street, Angela herself discovered the joys of collecting vintage items during a particularly tough time for her family. About a decade ago, she and her husband briefly relocated to Michigan after her brother-in-law was diagnosed with a terminal illness. During this time, she started taking her mother-in-law on outings a few times a week to try and lift her spirits. “We did a lot of thrifting adventures, estate sales — anything to get her out of the house. She loved it so much. I was around all these women, and we’d buy things and we’d talk about how they reminded us of treasures we had growing up.”
Blue Peacock 10 1/4 Transferware Plate
Queen’s Royal Wessex by Churchill England, $20
Curating these collected items and putting them together to create art can be a way for people to channel creativity and connect with the past. When Angela has a new client requesting her help with a plate wall, she first asks them what their style is, what their space looks like, and what they are hoping to achieve or convey with it. “I tell people just to sit and think about what story you are trying to tell. Are you telling a story of art and design, or do you love (a certain) aesthetic, or are you wanting to tell something about yourself? Figure out what your story is.”
In some cases, it’s a combination: One of her newer clients recently relocated to New Orleans from the West Coast and is hoping to tell an emerging story of how she and her husband are discovering the city — while also honoring their respective Asian and Irish family heritage. They are shaping a plate wall to reflect the curvature of the Mississippi River and are customizing it to represent different parts of the city — the “Uptown” side of the wall
Vintage Porcelain Cake Plate Schumann Bavaria Empress Dresden Flowers Germany, $48
Gilded Fruit Tree Blossoms Japan, $18
Source plates and other secondhand treasures at estate sales or shops like Avis Aldine (3614 Magazine Street)
features plates with florals and butterflies as a nod to Audubon Park, for example.
What Angela wants people to know is that it doesn’t have to be intimidating, and the process will naturally involve an evolution. Plus, it can really start anywhere: with a vision, with a family heirloom, at an estate sale, or just from sifting through a thrift store for a one-of-akind treasure. Plates can also always be swapped out and replaced or moved to another part of the wall. “There’s the fun of the hunt and the personalization of it,” she says. “And there’s an infinite number of ways to combine your plates, and you can do it in any room.”
• “P ick three core plates and then build around from there. If someone just wants to do a singular plate that can be fun in a small space too. But if you’re really wanting to go in with the trend, I’d start with three,” says Angela DiSimone.
• T here are tons of ways to source items, and a plate wall doesn’t have to break the bank. Items can be collected from thrift stores, during travels abroad, at local shops, family collections, or estate sales.
• P lates are easier to mount than they used to be, thanks to new types of hardware. There are tons of affordable mounting options, including items that do minimal damage to walls and the plates themselves — in case you want to put them back into service.
• D on’t be afraid to swap things out after a while to keep the look fresh, based on colors or patterns. “Plate walls allow for flexibility,” says Angela.
• There are other ways to incorporate plates without mounting them on the wall: Maureen Stevens says people can also use open plate racks or exposed cabinets to show off pretty plates.
• L ayered tablescapes using saucers and mismatched p ieces can also be a way to show off a curated collection, says Maureen.
• D ealing with a broken plate? Maureen says that pieces can also be incorporated into backsplashes, mosaic art, and other art pieces.
BY MICHAELA BECHLER | PHOTOS BY LAURA STEFFAN
In the works for nearly two years, Marquet, a delightful shop filled with treasures of all sizes, is set to officially open its doors this fall. Owned and curated by interior designer Jenny Vorhoff, Marquet was created to be a resource for anyone shopping for furniture, while also offering everything from pottery to paper goods.
“I moved home to New Orleans ve years ago after living in New York for 19 years, and a lingering lunch with friends not long after helped the roots of Marquet take hold in my mind,” Jenny shares. “I’d always been inspired by the storied shops and antique dealers that historically lled Magazine Street, and in a fast-changing retail landscape, it felt important to me that New Orleans hold onto shops with a real point of view. I have long wanted to give back to the city that’s given so much to me and building Marquet has become my way of stitching myself into the fabric of New Orleans.”
Derived from the French word marquetry, which is the intricate craft of using inlaid materials, Marquet is a nod to craftspeople, markets, and a created world. The shop is also a re ection of Studio Riga, Jenny’s boutique interior design rm. “I’m buying for Marquet the way I source for my design clients. I still think about furniture I’ve left behind at ea markets because I didn’t have the right home for it yet. I’m delighted that it’s all coming with me from now on!”
Jenny hopes that Marquet will be a destination for intentional and inspired shopping and set up the store to re ect that vision: books and cozy layers are found in the library, serving pieces are in the kitchen, and terracotta pots and garden accessories are arranged in the workshop. Merchandise and rooms will evolve weekly, and Jenny’s goal is for shoppers to nd what they’re looking for, while also discovering something you didn’t know you needed.
Much like her design style, Jenny says she’s not caught up in provenance. “I’m drawn to pieces and things with character. I love color, and I don’t take things too seriously. Everything has to be something I’d own myself or source for a client. Beyond that, it needs to be connected to artistry or be a genuine workhorse in a home, whether that’s a basket, an art book, or a set of rattan placemats. In a world full of noise around brand recognition, quick ship, and fast manufacture, we take the alternative approach: sourcing small and one-of-akind. While many of our pieces are made by artists and artisans, we’re not a gallery. Everything we sell can live comfortably in any home.”
Unexpected hostess gift: Swedish Incense
Gift for the person who has everything: Japa nese meditation candles — a 1-hour analog timer
A conversation starter: Alexa P ulitzer’s calling cards
Favorite under $50 find: Our set of four novelty cocktail napkins. They come in a myriad of playful themes.
Best bang for your buck: Our colorful outdoor tumblers
Something you’ve bought for your own home:
D’ascoli table linens. Truly nothing elevates your room, table, or dinner more.
This includes items that Jenny has long admired like Jean Roger frogs and candelabras, custom hand-blown glass from France and Italy, and colorful Swedish tapers, which are artfully arranged on a photo-worthy wall. Table linens from Italian textile mill Chiarastella Cattana will be introduced to the city for the rst time, and benchmade upholstery from North Carolina alongside vintage pieces are also ready to bring home.
Some lucky New Orleanians caught a glimpse of what to expect during a soft opening in May before the store shifted to by appointment only during the summer, and spoiler alert: they were thrilled. “I love watching customers engage with the inventory and seeing what they’re drawn to and hopefully leaving us a little more cheerful than when they stepped across our threshold. One moment that really stuck with me: in our rst few days open, customers and visitors repeatedly thanked us for opening a store on Magazine Street. It con rmed that we’re contributing to the local retail landscape exactly how we envisioned.”
Mestiza Ines Caftan Mini Dress $425, Ballin’s ballinsltd.com
Nola Gator Dog Leash $39, The Rising S on therisingsonnola.com
Silicone Drink Cover $5.99, Nol a Gifts & D ecor nolagiftsanddecoronline.com
The Floral Sequin Mini Skirt $148, C Collection ccollection.net
Large Vintage Hand-Decorated Chinese Ginger Jar $120, Avis Aldine @avisaldine
Paddywax Pimento Candle $32, Alic e & A melia shopaliceandamelia.com
Striped Cosmetic Bag
$11.99, Nola Gifts & D ecor nolagiftsanddecoronline.com
Tanger Short Vase $25, Eclecti c H ome eclectichome.net
Tiger Days Book $16.95, Alic e & A melia shopaliceandamelia.com
Face Mitt & Wash Cloth Set $14.99, Nol a Gifts & Decor nolagiftsanddecoronline.com
Framed Two Fish Painting $150, Th e Rising S on therisingsonnola.com
BY MICHAELA BECHLER | PHOTOS BY LAURA STEFFAN
STYLING BY
SUZONNE STIRLING
COZY CORNER
COZY CORNER
Due to the original fireplace orientation against the kitchen doorway, Carleton had to get creative with seating. She designed a corner hugging banquet in a performance Fabricut fabric that plays nicely with the Lee Jofa wallpaper. The room is completed with Visual Comfort sconces and a vintage coffee table.
PARLOR GAMES
PARLOR GAMES
The parlor features
The parlor features just one window, so Carleton balanced this with the eye-catching reupholstered sofa.
Contractor: Crane Builders of New Orleans
Architect: Heather Gardner with John C Bose Consulting Engineer
WWhen two working professionals were ready to overhaul their kitchen and bathroom, they turned to local interior designer Carleton Young. The Irish Channel home hadn’t been updated since its purchase and had unresolved hurricane damage, so the smaller project snowballed into a whole house renovation with new furnishings throughout.
hen two working professionals were ready to overhaul their kitchen and bathroom, they turned to local interior designer Carleton Young. The Irish Channel home hadn’t been updated since its purchase and still had hurricane damage, so the smaller project snowballed into a whole house renovation with new furnishings throughout.
Carleton, who began her career with Curtis Herring Interior Design in 2011, maintained her signature colorful and classic style when designing the home. The inspiration for the renovation began in the kitchen, which was reimagined for the client who loves to cook.
Carleton, who began her career with Curtis Herring Interior Design in 2011, maintained her signature colorful and classic style when designing the home. The inspiration for the renovation began in the kitchen, which was reimagined for the client who loves to cook.
The Lacanche range in Provence Yellow brings a dopamine boost and pleasing contrast against the deep blue cabinets and customdesigned walnut island, both by New Orleans Custom Cabinetry. Due to the size of the range and the heat it generates, the kitchen required the most preparation and problem solving. “We needed to plan for ample makeup air because of the high-volume hood. This required extensive planning among multiple vendors.”
The Lacanche range in Provence Yellow brings a dopamine boost and pleasing contrast against the deep blue cabinets and custom-designed Walnut Island, both by New Orleans Custom Cabinetry. Due to the size of the range and the heat it generates, the kitchen required the most preparation and problem solving. “We needed to plan for ample makeup air because of the high-volume hood. This required extensive planning among multiple vendors.”
The charmer was built circa 1850 and came with many architectural contains like six original fireplaces and moldings throughout. These
The charmer was built in circa 1850 and came with many architectural features like six original fireplaces and moldings throughout.
The yellow Lacanche range, custom island, and ample counter space make up this home chef’s dream kitchen.
Gerber lounges on the couple’s Doorman Designs bed that sits on a custom-made rug. A serene wallpaper from The Mural Source ties it all together.
were preserved along with some of the home’s other quirks, like the very tall and skinny rooms that were not symmetrical. Carleton disguised these unique lines and spaces with color, patterns, curtains, and inventive arrangements, especially in the den. The result is a faux sense of symmetry and an easy flow from the front to the back of the house.
The clients kept some of their current furniture like the dining room table and chairs, primary bed, and chairs in the parlor. The parlor sofa was also an existing piece, but Carleton brought new life to it by reupholstering it in a festive Pierre Frey fabric and adding bolsters with a contrast stripe and fringe. “Most of the art was existing, but several pieces we had reframed or weren’t hanging, so we found them new homes.”
The bathrooms were freshened up with new tile from Stafford Tile & Stone, and Benjamin Moore paint brought rich color to each room. Other than some structural issues that required attention, the renovation went smoothly. While Carleton loves aspects of each room, she finds pride in the kitchen and the innovation it required. “However, I really love the den with the marbled wallpaper and custom sectional. The combination of pattern and color in this room really brings me joy.”
“ When people enjoy their home and it functions for their daily life, it makes a huge impact. Seeing the joy that our work brings to people is the best at the end of a project. ” — CARLETON YOUNG
The cozy office contains beautiful built-ins, a colorful shade by Brunschwig and Fils, and a complementary chair from Lee Industries.
1 Mosaic Green Pillow $175, Eclectic Home eclectichome.net
2
3D Fish Stoneware Vase $37, Alice & Amelia shopaliceandamelia.com
3 Foliatura Chandelier $6,990, Eclectic Home eclectichome.net 4
Dragonfly Potsticker $28 Each, Home Malone homemalonenola.com
5
Finlay Inlay Serving Bowl $316, Hazelnut hazelnutneworleans.com
1
Elegant Cranes Placemat
$24, Maisonette maisonetteshop.com
2
Tapestry Sideboard
$3,675, Eclectic Home eclectichome.net 3
Marigold Carnival Glass Centerpiece Bowl
$45, Avis Aldine @avisaldine 4
Sweet Grace Collection Candle
$28.99, Nola Boo nolaboo.com
5
Sprig Sculpture
$315, Eclectic Home eclectichome.net 6
Frosted Pink Elephant Lidded Powder Dish
$90, Avis Aldine @avisaldine 7
Church Cast Iron Dish
$10, Alice & Amelia shopaliceandamelia.com 8
Mary Jane Swivel Chair
$2,795, Eclectic Home eclectichome.net 9 Copper Ice Bucket
$75, The Rising Son therisingsonnola.com 10
Blue Floral Vase
$79, Eclectic Home eclectichome.net
1 Cypress Row Alphabet Adventure Bubble $42, Mignon mignonnola.com
2 Dogs and Bubbles Pocket Decomposition Book $6, Historic New Orleans Collection shophnoc.com
3 You Color My World Kid’s Backpack $32, Nola Tawk nolatawk.com
4 Hello, Crayons! Book $8, Mignon mignonnola.com
5 Crayon Earrings $11.99 Each, Nola Gifts & Decor nolagiftsanddecoronline.com
BY MICHAELA BECHLER
Age: ~ 2 years old | Breed: Mixed Terrier Store: Octavia Books
JFavorite activities: Reading and being the object of attention
udith Lafitte and Tom Lowenburg opened Octavia Books in 2000 with a desire to show that a local independent bookstore was essential to the community. That same mission continues to resonate 26 years later, and the shop routinely hosts events, author signings, and book club meetings and is the perfect spot to pick up something on your TBR list.
Octavia Books sits in a 135-year-old corner commercial building that has been historically renovated and more than doubled in size. Judith and Tom welcomed Cafe Malou, a 32-seat restaurant with both full table and counter service, to the building in October 2025. Separated by revolving bookcases, the eatery is an ideal place to grab a bite or coffee before or after browsing the store’s extensive collection. If you can’t decide what to order, Judith loves The Classic Baked Eggs, while Tom enjoys the Shrimp & Grits.
While perusing the shelves, you might catch a glimpse of a dog resembling Scrim wandering around. This is not the famous canine escape artist, but Rufus, Octavia Books’ newest employee. The couple was ready to add another dog to the family (Pippin, their loyal Shop Dog of many years, passed away in 2021), so Rufus officially joined them on June 1 by way of Big Easy Animal Rescue & Pet Shop. In his past life, he was roaming railroad tracks and was very unsure of humans, but it was love at first sight during their initial meeting: Rufus ran straight to Judith, and she knew he was the one.
As he still learns the ropes of the store, you can find Rufus shadowing Judith four to five days a week. Though still a little shy, the petite pup puts his best paw forward to welcome customers. On his weekends off, Rufus loves to lounge, take walks in the neighborhood, and eat.
If you haven’t visited Octavia Books recently, these upcoming events could be your opportunity. Join Tiffany D. Jackson on Saturday, August 8, to celebrate her book Ghost in the Night . On Tuesday, August 25, author Andrew Moore will be in conversation with Boyce Upholt about The Beasts of the East. Looking ahead, the calendar includes an event with Alison Fensterstock and Michael Tisserand on their new book Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art & Obsessions on September 24. Get in the Halloween spirit with authors Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrator LeUyen Pham of The Princess in Black and the Trick-or-Treating Trouble on October 20.
