Shopping in Left Bank boutiques or the famous Paris flea market is a “to do” for many people’s European travels, with family-owned shops filled with thoughtfully displayed decorative household and garden items. Now, Curtis Park residents can get a taste of Parisian shopping at Bleu on Franklin Boulevard at Fifth Avenue.
Bleu relocated from Folsom Boulevard in April 2020, closer to home for owners Marsha McGill and Laurie Newman, who live in Oak Park and Curtis Park, respectively. Marsha was a high school teacher in the Sacramento City Unified School District for more than 25 years. Laurie has worked in small business and retail for more than 30 years. They had long thought a European-style shop might be a good fit for the neighborhood.
says neighboring businesses have welcomed them.
Photo/Erik Fay
Marsha and Laurie have invested a lot of hard work into the shop. The decorative exterior signage, window dressings, potted plants and pale blue accents create a pleasing visual. They have helped dress up this block of Franklin Boulevard.
The shop offers a large collection of new and vintage jewelry, bags, purses, clothing, figurines, paintings and glassware. There’s also an array of gift items including candles and soaps.
The thoughtfully curated mélange of texture, color, art and function within the shop is just half the treat. A stroll to the back takes you outdoors to a bright and terraced rear garden displaying pots, plant stands and racks, bird houses, metal tables and chairs.
Bleu’s inventory comes from a variety of sources; sometimes they buy things directly from people who approach them.
Laurie and Marsha said neighboring businesses have made them feel welcome. Their plans for the near future include a “sidewalk flea market” a couple of times a year.
Bleu is open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3009 Franklin Blvd. Shop hours will increase when the COVID-19 pandemic decreases. Customers can make appointments to visit the shop during the week by contacting the owners at 916 217-1103. View, contact and get shop updates via Instagram at Bleusacramento and Facebook at Bleu.