Meet Anne Liebergall | Stationery & Gift Store

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anne Liebergall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anne, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Owning a retail shop was something that I had dreamed about since being a teenager. Of course, it is one thing to dream and another to truly understand what is involved in owning and running a business. After college, I moved to New York CIty to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology and spent a great deal of time combing the amazing stores in the city. While the department stores of the 1990’s were fabulous, I felt most comfortable in the small shops downtown that were independently owned and had the most unusual treasures! It was in these shops that you felt a part of your neighborhood – the owner would often know your name and what you liked. When I moved back down to the South, I wanted to create that same type of inviting, creative “destination” here Charleston!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think if you are creative – you can find ways to incorporate that creativity into whatever you do. I started my work life in the Fashion Industry – beginning with fashion retail while I was a student and then in the manufacturing / product development area for ready-to-wear designers. I have made several professional pivots during my life, including going back to college to earn a degree in nursing, then practicing for over 20 years. I still love being a nurse, though that is on hold during my current venture. I have always believed that there are many paths we can take during a lifetime and being bold and deciding to take those chances with change keep us passionate! Opening Mildred Newberry has been so exciting and unbelievably rewarding – even with all the challenges of being a first-time business owner at this stage of life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It’s very easy to show someone an amazing time in the Lowcountry! Of course, the history in Charleston is our biggest draw – I would start with a walking tour. I love “Walk and Talk Charleston” with Tyler Wright. She has some amazing, specialized tours. Cocktails in Charleston are also a must: The Dewberry Hotel lounge has bartenders in old-school white jackets and the most beautifully crafted drinks. And the rooftop “Citrus Club” at the Dewberry is one of the best views of the city you can find. Dinner will be hard to choose because there are so many fabulous restaurants – the chef’s tasting menu at “Chasing Sage” is out of this world and the very special, individualized dining experience at “Honeysuckle Rose” is one for the bucket list. And to top off the evening – a nightcap at “The Last Saint” on Meeting Street – reminiscent of an intimate backroom bar in Paris.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have always loved finding the quirky, little independent shops in a city where people have curated their favorite things. “Little Rickie’s” in the East Village in New York in the late 1980’s was exactly what I had in mind when I opened Mildred’s. There was the most eclectic assortment of things for sale and a 1950’s photo booth where you could take a black and white photo of you and a friend (or as many friends as you could squeeze in the booth!). It was a part of that neighborhood and you never knew who you would meet when you went in. It was as much a social gathering place as it was a store. I wanted to recreate that fun experience here in Charleston! I also would not have been able to do any of it without the unwavering support of my husband, Jon. He was as excited as I was to create this little “experience” on Broad Street and we have had a ball!

Website: www.mildrednewberry.com

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