clara ida frances, inc

I enjoy taking my time through this shop, looking at all the goodies they have to offer... My true favorite here is not the candles, clothes, or other trinkets, but it is actually the stock of varied olive oils and balsamic vinegars that they have shipped from a private farm in California. Really nice flavors and scents. I buy these when I want a special treat in my kitchen.

Clara Ida Frances has always been a place that has wonderful things for the home. A gift-shopper's paradise! (gifts for yourself too!)But now that they have moved to their own building - a historic Winnsboro landmark - and restored that building to it's former glory - Clara Ida Frances shines!Upscale home furnishings, gifts for the woman (or man) who has everything. Nice little things to buy yourself. Decorations, gadgets, scents, accent pieces - and even clothing now. Some cool items for classy guys - emergency cell-phone charges, brass tire gauges, the nicest gun "rug" you've ever seen (handcrafted out of fine materials) are just a few of the treasures you'll discover.Janice, Nancy, or one the charming girls who work here will be happy to show you around.The even have gourmet chocolate, nuts, wine, and even cigars!Do take a step back when you get inside - it's hard not to let the trinkets fill your field of vision - but look up and around at the renewed beauty of this early 20th-century building. The dirt, dust, grime, years and layers of paint and tacky "redecorations" have been stripped away and the natural beauty of the building show through - probably even *better* than the day the building first opened ~100 years ago. It's bright, open - old and new at the same time - a feast for the eye.Good job Peter, Janice (York!)

Living in Dallas, it is hard to impress me with retail selection and store layout. Clara Ida Frances is impressive. Unique, well made items. Wonderful for BFF gifts, my daughters and my own home. I have been purchasing items from this boutique for 2+ years. The layout of the store is easy to move around in without knocking things over (a personal pet peeve). The merchandise is displayed beautifully. Prices are no higher than one would pay in Dallas, Frisco or Plano. I plan to visit the shop every time I am in Winnsboro to see what's new and get ideas of my own décor.

This is a terrific store with unique gift items, clothing, and accessories. It is beautifully decorated, showcasing lovely works of art and antiques. There are also interesting pieces of furniture and other decorative items that you won't see in other shops in town.

Again, Winnsboro is FULL of unexpected pleasures, from dining, to live entertainment, to shopping experiences! Clara Ida Frances offers up unique decor items that you'd be hard-pressed to find in any other small town in East Texas!

Janice Schma has put together one of the most beautiful shops in the historic Main Street district of Winnsboro, TX. There's a decidedly European countryside atmosphere in this shop which is quite enchanting. There are imported gourmet items, luxurious lotions, art, unusual furnishings and accessories and so much more. Plus, the friendly and knowledgeable staff is eager to help you find just the right gift or decorative item you're looking for. This shop could easily compete with upscale retailers in Dallas.

I challenge anyone to visit this store and not walk away with something special. Something for everyone. You need to visit repeatedly to see everything and just when you think you've seen it all, there's new merchandise to enjoy. A really great place to spend an afternoon.When you're tired of shopping you can stroll to the back of the store to Art & Espresso and enjoy a cappucino and a slice of cake.

Going into this shop is like being in a shop in France. The shop has a wonderful ambiance and the merchandise is not the usual small town fare. This is the place you want to go to shop for yourself or for a special gift. Some of the things I liked were the gourmet oils, soaps and lotions, home decor, art, and garden planters.A great place to shop, buy, and browse! It is unique!