Pic Pocket on Arctic Parkway in Ewing is more than a pocket book and accessory store. According to owner Janet Flannery, it is a destination for some of their customers. “People come from all over the world” to their flamingo-covered shop. Customers visit from England, the Carolinas, Florida, and other places when they are in the area.
Janet recognizes their passion. Prior to owning Pic Pocket she worked in banking. Whenever her work travels took her to the area, she would make sure her visits included a stop at the Trenton Farmers Market, and one at Pic Pocket. She was a customer for 20 years when she learned Sondra and Herman Young were planning to close the shop in 2005.
Janet asked the Youngs to purchase the shop, but was initially denied. “I said to my husband [Jim] ‘go talk to him.’” The Youngs sold the shop to the Flannerys. Janet and Jim left their careers in banking and the automotive industry, respectively, to run Pic Pocket full-time. “We didn’t want to see it just go away.”
Once or twice a month Janet and Jim purchase their stock of pocketbooks, jewelry, scarves, accessories, and now (thanks to a recent refurbishment which included expanding the shop) women’s clothing from small stores nestled inside New York City skyscrapers. Often on a Sunday when the store is closed, “we physically go into New York and go store to store to store. We can’t just go by my taste. My husband likes big and bold, so he introduced new lines of merchandise.” Together they are a great team.
Janet and Jim work hard not only to find one-of-a-kind merchandise for their customers, but to do so at a good value. They then pass those savings directly to their customers. In addition to having classic merchandise, such as pearls, they also carry rhinestone jewelry in a rainbow of colors perfect to wear on a night out.
On the counter at Pic Pocket is a bobble head holding a sign that says “Shopping is cheaper than a therapist.” Janet agrees. “You don’t have to spend a lot of money to feel good. You feel good because you treated yourself to something.” Pic Pocket sells pocketbooks in the $21 to $200 range. They also carry scarves starting at $4.99. They have more than 2,500 pairs of earrings from $4.99. They are the largest seller of clip-on earrings in the area. “We go the gamut from casual to dressy,” adds Janet.
Their passion is helping women pick out the perfect accessory for special occasions, such as the prom, Sweet 16, Fiesta de Quinceanera, and weddings, or for everyday jewelry. “We provide a personal service with a friendly feel,” explains Janet. The kind of experience you will not find at a typical mall store.
Pic Pocket, 54 Arctic Parkway, Ewing. 609-393-9337, www.pic-pocket54.com Hours: Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Sunday. Like us on Facebook.
