The gift shop Prima Dora is moving into the former live music space at Barrels and Amps on the corner of Eighth Street and Austin Avenue.
Prima Dora sells adult games and gifts – like cocktail dresses, adult card games and candles. The new location will open with a “big party” at 5 p.m. on August 9, with admission free to the public.
“The store will be fully open,” said co-owner Melody English. “A lot of the artists will be here. So people can come, meet the artists (whose merchandise we sell) and hang out with them and have a cocktail next door.”
The building is owned by Barrels and Amps owners Dina and Karl Meixsell. During overlapping business hours, the door separating Prima Dora from the restaurant is open, allowing customers to move back and forth between the bar and the shop, creating a shared experience.
“We couldn’t be happier to have Dina and Karl as our landlords and neighbors,” Ms. English said. “They are just wonderful.”
After the move, Prima Dora will be open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays they will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Sundays they will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Arrival of the Lazer Beam gift shop
Lazer Beam, a family-friendly shop that describes itself as a “purveyor of quirky distractions,” will open August 30 in Prima Dora’s old location at 114 West Eighth Street.
Melody English is also a co-owner of the store. However, Lazer Beam will have a different concept than Prima Dora.
“It will be more family friendly, with fun things for all ages to play with and discover,” Ms. English said. “We will have a full line of children’s books, young adult books and games for all ages. It will be a more light-hearted type of store, with no serious stuff like candles or cocktail dresses. We won’t have swear words on socks or grass stuff.”
She said they hope the spot can support local artists.
“They’ll all be fun, unusual and unique gifts,” she said. “Anything that’s thought-provoking and fun.”
For more information, visit Prima Dora’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PrimaDoraGT or call 512-688-2291.
