Oregon Coast Waves - 1.8

Something new for Newport’s Bayfront
randy Cochran, of Albuquerque, N.M., and her
mother, Becky Fogo, of Newport, were waiting outside
Monica Ziegler’s latest enterprise, a unique shopping
experience at 818 SW Bay Blvd.
“We really like her other store,” Cochran said of Ziegler’s
Bohemian Candle a few blocks away at 342 SW Bay Blvd. “This
one is probably going to be just as awesome.”
“We got a little sneak peak. It’s incredible,” said Fogo. “Curiosities
and apothecary sums it up pretty well.”
Ziegler created a buzz, generating excitement and interest in
Femme Fatale long before opening her doors, posting intriguing
photos of specimens, antique photos, even a medical wax
moulage (a medical teaching tool dating to the early 1800s) on
social media. Before opening, the store’s Facebook page had
nearly 600 followers. The shop was making sales just minutes
after opening the doors.
“A femme fatale, sometimes called a man eater or vamp, is a stock
character of a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms
ensnare her lovers, often leading them into compromising,
dangerous and deadly situations. She is an archetype of literature
and art,” Ziegler explained on Facebook. “Femme Fatale
Curiosities and Apothecary is inspired by the practices of the
19th century. Femme Fatale is about embracing the light with
the dark. The lure as you enter her space arouses your desire to
explore the depths of her walls. Diving deeper, she takes you on
a journey through the beauty of life and the darkness of death.
She is a little shop of old and new for lovers of the curious and
macabre.”
“This is a shop of oddities and curiosities, and it’s an apothecary,
as well. We actually make all our products,” Ziegler said. “Now we
have a place where we can create,” she said, indicating the large
manufacturing space where her husband was working.
“We’re hoping to eventually open it up to serving herbal teas, but
that’s on hold until COVID-19 is complete. We’re going to have
organic herbs.” Ziegler indicated that hand sanitizer has been
a big seller. “We’re completely out,” she said, because she can’t
source the alcohol she needs.
“I love your store,” called out Sharon Hernandez, who was
visiting from Albany.
“I’m pretty much a professional shopper,” said Kelly Grady, who
was visiting from Denver. “I found a ton of things I’ve never seen
before.”
PHOTOS BY JEREMY BURKE
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