It's already been a week since Olivier Paquet's boutique, CasaNoé, moved a few meters. As in the previous one, open in 2022, the storefront with its spirit of yesteryear announces an elegant and authentic boutique. A facade which, in the words of the owner, has been « a challenge » : designed by Catherine Autissier, architect at La Châtre, from archive photographs of the establishment which once housed a butcher's shop, it has been reconstructed as it was before the 1960 flood.
The idea was to redo this historic facade in wood. Olivier Paquet entrusted the task to the company BHM, du Blanc. Generally surrounded by efficient craftsmen, the latter is delighted with the result of a « gig work ».
“Provide an experience and not just sell”
The owner wanted to maintain the same « cabin atmosphere » than in his previous shop, a spirit visible in the use of wood and ropes. The mantra remains the same: nature and simplicity. This is announced, upon entering, by a displayed quote from George Sand, praising a nature « eternally young, beautiful and generous”.
Olivier Paquet wanted to associate this leitmotif with the notion of travel, with a few suspended hot air balloons, suitcases and trunks, inviting, in his words, a « travel poetry ». Art also has a major place in the boutique where paintings by Roxane Duraffourg and Pierre Marchand are exhibited, as well as woven lamps by Odile & Stéphane Hypolite.
Finally, a few antique objects bring to the store the imprint of the past and this authenticity to which the owner is so keen, starting with the old shutters of the private mansion of Jean-Baptiste Auclert-Descottes. With this new store, Olivier Paquet says he wants « provide an experience and not just sell products ». « The idea is to be at home”he confides, « circulate among objects and works of art ».
CasaNoé is growing
The new store, significantly larger, offers a space of 90 m², a section dedicated to women and new brands: Aigle, Saint James and Ralph Lauren, to name just a few. « I wanted to create an atmosphere where the brands express themselves », says the owner. He also knows that he owes his success to the Argentonnais, who, according to him, « play the game ».
Between this local community, passing travelers and second home owners, success is there, as evidenced by the expansion of the store. Castelroussin by birth, Olivier Paquet fell under the spell of Argenton which he likes to call “Uzès du Berry ».
CasaNoé, 5, rue Grande, in Argenton. Showcase site: Casa Noé shop. Every Saturday, starting November 23, florist Julie Guittard will be present in the passage adjoining the store.
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