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    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 113th year with a reputation for unique, quality fashions, incredible values, and excellent customer service.

    Our Customer Service Team





    2022

    Our Customer Service Team

    Jen, Pam, Neesh, Mary Lou and Laurie
    Our Customer Service Team

    Our managers and associates play a very important role in our business.

    Neesh
    Neesh is our Store Manager and Special Occasion Dress Buyer

    Neesh is the manager of our Cedar Hills store In Jacksonville, Florida, and also our Prom and Special Occasion Dress Buyer. In addition, she is our Director of Social Media and Special Projects Coordinator. Neesh is always ready to give you her enthusiastic and excellent customer service.




    Laurie
    Laurie is our Bridal Buyer and Bridesmaid Dress Consultant

    Laurie is our Bridal Buyer and Consultant. She delights in helping you select the perfect dress for you and your Wedding Party. Whether a Destination, Informal or Formal Wedding, Laurie offers award winning service for your special day. Helping to coordinate all of your Bridesmaid dresses and working with each bridesmaid is her specialty - and she will be happy to help you find an adorable dress for your Flower girl.


    Pam
    Pam is our E-commerce and Operations Manager

    Pam is our E-commerce and Operations Manager who closely supervises every aspect of your purchase to insure that it is ordered, received, processed, and shipped in the most timely manner. Dedicated to making your online purchase as easy as possible, you can always count on Pam to be there for you. Pam is also our buyer for our all of our Church Suits online. She has been with our company for over 40 years.



    Jen
    Jen is our Online Customer Service specialist

    Jen is our Customer Service Manager. She has been with our company for over 10 years and we are lucky to have her southern charm. She is always happy to assist you with your online purchase and any other customer service needs.








    Mary Lou
    Mary Lou has been a French Novelty store manager for over 45 years Mary Lou has been a French Novelty store manager for over 45 years and is now working on part time basis. As our former Prom Dress Buyer, Mary Lou is an expert in measuring and fitting you in that perfect dress for your special occasion.






    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



    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 .




    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.


    Salim Mizrahi in front of his first store - french novelty, founded in 1911 in Jacksonville, FL

    November, 1919

    To the right is a picture of our first store in 1919, with the founder, Salim Mizrahi, standing in the doorway.

    (See more historical photos below.)

    To the right is a picture of our first store in 1919, with the
founder, Salim Mizrahi, standing in the doorway.
    Inside of early store - circa 1920 in Jacksonville, FL

    1920's

    To the right is a picture inside our store circa 1920.

    a picture inside our store circa 1920
    French Novelty Shop on West Adams Street, 1936, in Jacksonville, FL

    1930's

    To right is 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. French Novelty Shop Times Union Ad 1940's
    The French Novelty Shop during the 1940's.

    1940's

    The French Novelty Shop during the 1940's.



    French Novelty Shop Times Union Ad. French Novelty Shop Times Union Ad.


    Grand Opening Ad in 1952 on 119 West Adams Street in Jacksonville, FL

    August 15, 1952

    Grand Opening Ad for the Opening Night of the "New" French Novelty.





    Grand Opening Ad in 1952
    French Novelty in 1952 on 119 West Adams Street in Jacksonville, FL

    August, 1952

    The photo on right was taken in 1952 when French Novelty moved a block west on 119 West Adams Street.


    The photo on right was taken in 1952 when French Novelty moved a
block Mizrahi Family and Employees in 1952 on 119 West Adams Street in Jacksonville, FL

    August 18, 1952

    The Mizrahi family and company employees  taken at the opening of the downtown store.

    The Mizrahi family and company employees The French Novelty Shop in 1954. The Adams Street store had a turnout that wound around the city block
when Clarabell from the Howdy Doody Show appeared during a special event. (Click on photo to see Clarabell!)

    1954

    The French Novelty Shop when Clarabell from the Howdy Doody Show appeared during a special event in 1954. (Click on photo to see Clarabell!)



     French Novelty at Lakewood Shopping Center

    1960's

    French Novelty at Lakewood Shopping Center in the early 1960's



    French Novelty Country Shop Times Union Ad.

     French Novelty Country Shop at Regency Square

    1970's

    Mannequin Modeling at our French Novelty Country Shop at Regency Square



    French Novelty 75th Anniversary in 1986.

    1986

    Celebrating our 75th Anniversary and the Grand Opening of our remodeled Orange Park Mall store.


     French Novelty during the 1990's

    1990's

    French Novelty during the 1990's


     2010 Mori Lee Trunk Show

    2010

    Spring 2010 Mori Lee Trunk Show


    Our Customer Service Team

    10-25-2011

    Our Customer Service Team: Darlene, Susan, Nancy, Mary Lou, Jack, and Pam