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Luck was surely on their side when Damon and Becky Holditch purchased a contractor and homeowner equipment rental company in 1985. It was a bold move on their part, considering the waning state of Austin’s construction market at the time. The good thing was, renting out cement mixers and a nail guns definitely wasn’t what they had in mind. They knew that the event industry was on the rise, and even though they continued to dole out sanders and other contracting gear, they began offering tables, chairs and other party necessities as well.
Soon the business began to grow, and the couple had no choice but to relocate to a larger building Damon and Becky went from operating out of a relatively modest 5,000 square foot space to an expansive 20,000 square foot warehouse in 1999. In five years, as the amount of the equipment they owned grew, they soon found themselves in a familiar situation. Today, after a name change and two relocations, Marquee Event Group operates out of a 73,000 square foot building off north MoPac. From their new digs on West Howard Lane, they are equipped to become the complete logistical partner of any passionate party thrower. Getting antsy about wedding planning? Marquee will go beyond the call of duty, working directly with the bride or wedding planner, providing event rental equipment and services from the time of the first consultation up until the ceremony to make sure that everything is absolutely perfect. The first thing to think about, says Damon, is the custom linen for covering the tables. After the linen has been decided upon, table settings—such as the china, the napkins, and the silverware—need to be figured out. “People don’t usually see the extent of the event equipment you can rent,” he says. Conveniently enough, Marquee Rents has a design center on site where you can view and test full-sized samples of everything you need to get the full effect of your design. Party planners are also encouraged to photograph the completed mock table to show others before they commit to rent.
Although potential customers usually make appointments for Marquee, planners and brides are welcome to drop in. Scheduling ahead might also be smart, as the average customer usually needs to swing by at least two or three times before the entire planning process is complete and they are pleased with the result. “We’re just here to help people from all walks of life celebrate,” explains Damon. J. Sun
Missbehave Boutique
The new crop of boutiques in the 2nd Street District has all fall fashion needs covered. Austin’s working women looking to be bad with some of their hard earned green are getting their shopping fix at Missbehave Boutique. With looks from the likes of Moschino, See by Chloé, and Rebecca Taylor, storeowner Andrea Valko is bringing big name designers to downtown Austin. The shop stocks the best of each brand, carrying everything from business to cocktail attire. Missbehave Boutique’s contemporary European interior was designed by DRS Architects and Planners. The glossy concrete floor gives the store a sleek, clean feel, while pink detailing throughout adds femininity to the primarily muted grey space. Signs posted on the walls encourage shoppers to misbehave. One reads, “I’m not bad. I just shop that way,” while another urges, “Life is short. Buy the shoes.” Valko, born in Slovakia but recently relocating from the East Coast, is putting her fashion savvy to use styling Austin’s twenty- to forty-somethings. With a background in business, Valko says she was inspired to open Missbehave when she “moved to Austin and saw a niche.” The store carries looks from up-and-coming designers, like printed tanks from Lauren Moshi and coveted crochet handbags from Brazilian designer Irá Salles. The shoe section at Missbehave, with styles from Stuart Weitzman, Via Spiga, and Alexandre Birman, to name a few, is stocked with fantastic fall finds—think plenty of platforms.
Gallery D
Open only months, Gallery D, the much-lauded boutique by fashion maven Emily Keast, is already a downtown destination, delivering the diverse designs Austinites demand. Keast, a former buyer for the trend-defining Henri Bendel boutique in New York, learned the business as an undergrad at UT and honed her eye as an assistant at Vogue. Now she’s employing her expert vision to seek out emerging designers from around the globe. “My personal style is all about mixing it up…[putting] something vintage with something modern, something casual with something a bit more dressed up,” Keast explains. This idea of blending styles to create a unique look is apparent throughout the store, in both the décor and in the designs that Keast selects, like the feminine but edgy draped dresses from Foley and Corinna and the vintage-inspired shoes from Les Prairies de Paris. Enlisting the help of top Austin designer, Jamie Chioco of Chioco Design, Keast created an inviting interior for her store through the juxtaposition of complementary contrasts. Keast’s sister, Julia, a photographer who plays art curator to the store chooses art that reflects and compliments the bold clothing hanging on the racks. With fierce fabrics, animal prints and leathers, hanging beside cozy cashmeres and flirty frocks, Gallery D is a downright delight. Both stores participate in monthly block parties, offering champagne, small bites, and deep discounts. Check websites for details. C. Harrold
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