Photo via Stephanie Plomarity
I had the pleasure of sitting down with, Erin Gavle, the owner of unique new store called, El Dorado General Store. {Located in Detroit, Michigan} This gem of a store is a true representation of the owner, herself. Erin is adorably chic, cool and savvy! Read the interview below!
{SS}: Can you give us a brief background on your work experience, why did you decide to establish a store in Detroit?
{EG}: I’m the owner and curator of El Dorado General Store, a vintage general store with a modern twist in the heart of Corktown, Detroit. My background, however, is in corporate America – more specifically, the creative advertising world in NYC. Realizing that my “unquenchable inner light” (as my boss described it) was in fact squelch-able, I quit and moved to LA. I knew I needed sunshine, meditation and a new game plan but I had no idea that would eventually lead me to opening a shop back home in Detroit.
I’ve always had a love affair with the idea of moving back to Detroit. Each time I would come back to visit, it became harder and harder to leave.
I’ve learned that timing is everything. This past July {2014} the timing was in my favor and I had the opportunity to transform a once neglected, empty building into the home of my dream, El Dorado General Store.
Photo via InsideSouthWest.com
{SS}: What inspired you to start your company?
{EG}: Once I quit my job in corporate america, I was on a bit of a quest. I wasn’t exactly sure where it would take me, but I knew that my search was for happiness. To me, creative freedom and surrounding myself with inspiring, grateful, positive people was what I was searching for. To be able to prioritize things in my life. To be challenged, yet free. And get to express my form of creativity everyday.
{SS}: What do you love about your job? Challenges you face?
{EG}: I joke that everyday I go to work and “
play” shopkeeper. That’s my biggest challenge and yet my favorite part about my new “job.” I tell people, I have no idea what I’m doing – that I’m really just making this all up as I go. I think that keeps me grateful and grounded. And reminds me that my dream is really working.Even now, I feel like I retired. Yes, it is a ton of work to run a business on your own. Everyday I realize how many tasks I can take on. I’m learning what my limits are and how to ask for help. But I’ve been so fortunate to create a happy bubble in which I am surrounded by objects that make me smile. I get to interact with so many amazing people on a daily basis that come into El Dorado to appreciate those things I’ve collected and give them a new home.I have been so overwhelmed with the support and compliments. It really brings a smile to my face knowing people enjoy coming into the store. I love my new “job.”
{SS}: 3 words to describe the store?
{EG}: well-curated bohemian vintage
{SS}: Any new items in store that you love?
{EG}: Gosh, this is a tough question. It really depends on my mood. Since I personally handpicked all the contents in the store, they each remind me of a fun memory or a beautiful moment.But definitely anything covered in sequins, fringe, leather or fur. I just adore vintage tooled purses and right now I have some that are the best I’ve ever found. I’m extremely proud of my self restraint – they haven’t made it into my own closet yet.
I can’t stop raving about our locally made soy and essential oil candles by Detroit Rose Candle Company.They are simply delightful. I’m also obsessed with dreamcatchers and disco balls – so currently the store is adorned with both. While in Sedona on a buying trip, I stocked up on Navajo hand crafted leather fringy dream catchers in a slew of colors and sizes. I’m a firm believer there is no such thing as too many dream catchers.
{SS}: Other items you love, any good gift recommendations?
Turquoise is such a beautiful stone – one of the oldest protection amulets. It provides a sense of strength and connection to the spirit world and is a symbol of friendship, wisdom, luck, wealth and peace. It’s the talisman of kings, shamans, and warriors. But there is a little of everything in the store and all is one of a kind. I think the shop is a great place to wander around and hunt for the perfect trinket for the person who has everything. Although most of the inventory is vintage, it all fits into today’s lifestyle. Whether it’s an etched glass decanter, a wooden trinket box, a feather adorned fedora, or a cozy sweater or flannel. There’s a little something for everyone. And I’m constantly adding new treasures to the shelves and racks on a daily basis. 
{SS}: In regards to your personal style, do you have a signature accessory?
{EG}: I’m a bit of an accessory whore. I can’t seem to fit enough bangles on my wrists, rings on my fingers, or necklaces around my neck. I love to jingle – it wards off evil spirits. All of the jewelry I wear represents some type of magic or protection. I generally make most of the necklaces I wear. There are two necklaces in 
particular that I never take off. One is a Saint Christopher pendant. Since I spend most of my time traveling or dreaming of traveling, he is the patron saint of travel and protects me on my journeys. The other necklace is a meteorite. I’m so silly sometimes, and for months I just couldn’t stop talking about wanting a meteorite. For my birthday my boyfriend surprised me with one – it’s 38,000 years old and was found in a Siberian glacier. I think it’s pure magic to possess something from outer space.
{SS}: A few items in your "Styleshack" A.K.A closet that you can't live without?
Photo via Jacob Pritchard
{EG}: Since I’m always traveling, I have to pack super light so I can bring back goodies for the store. The first thing I throw in my suitcase is a black dress. Something that can be dressed up for a night out or dressed down for an afternoon of adventuring. A black V neck t-shirt and a pair of All-Saints black pants. A good leather jacket. My black rabbit fur poncho. And a pair of combat boots. I can travel the world with just those things in my leather weekender. Well, that and my tarot cards, a camera and my laptop.
{SS}: Who inspires your style? Favorite Style Icon?
{EG}: It might sound cliche but Sarah Jessica Parker. Her character just doesn’t give a fuck what other people think about her fashion choices and that’s something to admire.
I think anyone can spend money on fashion, but not everyone has the know-how and/or confidence to pair unique pieces together. If you want to wear a sequins dress on a thursday afternoon to the office, I say go for it! You only live once.
I think my grandma was another big influence. She was always so put together. A real lady of the 50’s. Full length fur coats with matching hats. She would get dressed to the nines to spend a day at Hudson’s downtown. She had a scarf drawer and a leather glove drawer that I could play dress up in for hours. Always smelling of pretty perfume and leaving lipstick smudges when she kissed you.
{SS}: Favorite fashion or lifestyle blog?
{EG}: My free time to roam the internet has really dwindled since becoming a business owner. I’m definitely out of date on the blog-o-sphere. BUT, I am always checking out Net-a-Porter for the latest high-fashion trends. It’s very easy for me to spot vintage pieces that were clearly an inspiration for the newest fashion styles.I also love a good Pinterest inspiration session. Whether it’s decorating the apartment, getting display inspiration for the store, or to just see some good old beautiful pictures of clothes. It’s all on there.
{SS}: Do you have a go-to App?
{EG}: As a business owner, my go to apps are Square, Soundcloud, Instagram & VSCOcam. 
El Dorado General Store (Instagram account) Click to follow!
{SS}:Currently listening to…
{EG}: What am I not listening to? I’m all over the map when it comes to music. I’m either playing my dad’s old records in the shop – mostly 70s rock bands like the Allman Brothers,Rolling Stones, The Band, Van Morrison, etc. Or I’m listening to anything new and dancy that has a good disco beat or a solid trumpet solo – something to get my toes tapping. Image via katoidetroit.com[/caption]{SS}: Favorite local restaurant?{EG}: Living and working in Corktown, I’m left with a ton of great options near by. My obsession at the moment is Katoi (the Thai truck within Two James). Everything is utterly delicious. I’ve been known to go there several days in a row.{SS}: Words to Live by? {EG}: One single word always carries a special meaning to me: BELIEVE.I think it’s absolutely important to keep believing – in yourself, in magic, in people, in a dream, a city. Anything is possible if you believe.
When I was figuring out my next plan (after quitting the corporate life and feeling a bit lost before finding my path to opening El Dorado) I would make posters and hang them around my room. I think the ones that helped the most were “I am stronger than my insecurities”, “I can do it”, and “Strength & Courage”. I really had to find the strength and courage within myself. I needed to silence the naysayers (including my own voice inside my head) and push through the doubts. Constantly reminding myself, even if I didn’t fully believe it….”I can do it.”