About French Novelty
Our Company
French Novelty is a family owned business, started by the current owner's grandfather, in 1911, with a store in downtown
Jacksonville, Florida. The first store specialized in fine handmade blouses, linens, and ready-to-wear garments. When the second store opened in the 1920's, also in downtown Jacksonville, it was named French Novelty, since many of the items carried were imported from France, which was considered to be the fashion capital of the world. Of course, "novelty" stood for new. The Mizrahi family still operates French Novelty stores serving Jacksonville, North Florida, South Georgia, and now serving customers worldwide as we celebrate our 115th year with a reputation for unique, quality fashions, incredible values, and excellent customer service.
Our Business Philosophy
We shop the major fashion markets to bring you unique social occasion fashions that can only be found in specialty stores and boutiques. We negotiate the best prices from our vendors to bring you the best values every day. French Novelty is known for its commitment to personalized customer service for five generations.
November, 1919
A picture of our first store in 1919, with the founder, Salim Mizrahi, standing in the doorway.
1920's
A picture inside our store circa 1920.
1930's
A photograph of the French Novelty Shop on West Adams Street, two blocks away from our first store on Laura Street.
French Novelty Shop Times Union Ad 1940's.
1940's
The French Novelty Shop during the 1940's.
French Novelty Shop Times Union Ad.
August 15, 1952
Grand Opening Ad for the Opening Night of the "New" French Novelty.
August, 1952
The photo was taken in 1952 when French Novelty moved a block west on 119 West Adams Street.
August 18, 1952
The Mizrahi family and company employees taken at the opening of the downtown store.
1960's
French Novelty at Lakewood Shopping Center in the early 1960's
French Novelty Country Shop Times Union Ad.
1970's
Mannequin Modeling at our French Novelty Country Shop at Regency Square
1986
Celebrating our 75th Anniversary and the Grand Opening of our remodeled Orange Park Mall store.
1990's
French Novelty during the 1990's
2010
Spring 2010 Mori Lee Trunk Show
10/25/2011
Our Customer Service Team: Darlene, Susan, Nancy, Mary Lou, Jack, and Pam
Friday, October 28, 2011
Photo by WILL DICKEY/The Times-Union
French Novelty was featured on the front page of the Florida Times Union Business section. The family business was celebrating its 100th anniversary. Read more at Jacksonville.com .
2022
Our Customer Service Team
Jen, Pam, Neesh, Mary Lou and Laurie