Business: New location, new look for Twin Concepts Business: New location, new look for Twin Concepts (June 23, 2004)

By Jane Knoerle
Almanac Staff Writer

"We definitely wanted to stay in business and we definitely wanted to make it easier," says Mary Schwarz of Menlo Park, who with her twin sister, Linda Fujimoto, moved their business, Twin Concepts, to 1162 University Ave. in Menlo Park.

After more than 10 years at 883 Santa Cruz Ave. facing the Draeger's parking lot, Twin Concepts has set up shop in only 300 square foot of space filled with goodies you don't need and absolutely have to have.

Consider the sweaters made by Burning Torch, fashioned from old cashmere that is re-dyed and combined with sweatshirt material. How about an evening sandal hand-painted by Melissa Neufield with shocking pink polka dots, or a single ballet slipper painted in a metallic pink and lined with antique French paper?

Customers may also succumb to the large apothecary jars filled with candies, sparkling jewelry pinned to a mannequin, spools of French ribbon, or bottles of French bubble bath smelling of orange blossoms.

The small space doesn't seem to deter customers. "I love the coziness of it," says one patron who was busily buying out the store.

Mary and Linda worked for a month getting their shop ready. They painted the front door pink and hung a smart black and white scalloped awning over the store front. The antique iron bench from France out front sold immediately, with some customers pouting they didn't know it was for sale.

The inside walls are pistachio with raspberry accents. The concrete floor was hand-painted into a black and white harlequin pattern by the sisters.

The counter where the rococo "gold-plated" old-fashioned cash register is located is a marble island imported from France. Linda Fujimoto has made many buying trips to France and looks forward to the time when she and Mary can travel there together.

There is no computer, only a candy-pink calculator from Pottery Kids. "And we don't have a Web site," says Mary.

Twin Concepts welcomes each season with a "show." "For the Fourth of July we'll have all these (apothecary jars) filled with red, white and blue candy."

The women, who go all out for Christmas, expect to have to rent extra space to put on their annual December extravaganza. Known for her lavish home decorating at Christmas, Mary says "part of me has grown up" and she will only decorate seven Christmas trees this year, instead of the 12 of past years.

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