Terri Weisz has created a store full of wonderful items sure to brighten the home of anyone who receives a gift from there.
Terri, who has owned and operated Two Plates Full in Scottsdale for 26 years, has fashioned a colorful, fun and whimsical store. Two Plates Full features crazy colors and items that would be considered functional art. While they have a few items from overseas, virtually all the cool things in her store are hand crafted in America.
“The store is really pretty amazing,” says Terri.
Terri grew up in Chicago where her family was active in their Jewish community. She and her brother grew up in an active Jewish family. Whether it was attending Jewish parties or sending her children to Jewish summer camp in Prescott, Judaism has always been present in Terri’s life. Recently her brother, George, accompanied a contingent of diplomats from Arizona to Israel.
So when December rolls around, she gets into the Hanukkah spirit and helps her Jewish customers do the same.
“We have a lot of customers who own traditional houses with traditional values,” says Terri. “But, when they come into my place, they aren’t afraid to think outside the box.”
Being a master designer of very cool things, Terri is especially skilled at holiday design, which makes her one of Scottsdale’s most popular people during Hanukkah. She has great advice for those interested in decorating their home with a distinctive touch.
“Don’t feel you have to go out and get all Hanukkah stuff,” advises Terri. “Instead, mix it up and get fun items. Decorate your place with dreidels, cloth and stagger your things on different levels for a more appealing look.”
She says she likes to take blue and white cloth, rip them into strips and tie them into colorful bundles for a splash of color. Gold and white are big colors this season too. They can be played up big or just casual. Either way, it works to brighten up your decorations.
Two Full Plates started as a kitchen store, but as the big conglomerates started to cut into local business, Terri decided she needed to come up with something different, something bold, that really interests people.
“Our store is unique in so many ways,” says Terri. “We definitely are different.”
Different would be an understatement.
When you walk into Two Plates Full, the colors in the store explode in front of you. The stuff featured in the store is, hip and, for the most part, things you would have trouble finding anywhere else. Have you ever seen an Airstream ice cooler? Well, you will if you walk into Two Plates Full.
“We really work hard to buy funky, trendy stuff,” says Terri.
Terri has four employees and a design girl who helps her display the items in the store. Also, she has a silent partner who, in all reality, isn’t all that silent.
“My Mom is my partner,” says Terri with a laugh.
Her customer base is mostly women, but she has a loyal following of men buyers. That is the one interesting element of the store – she has something for everyone.
Additionally, she is active in the internet world, providing an awesome newsletter at twoplatesfull.com. But, where she really makes her internet mark is with her blog, blahblahrambleramble.com. Clearly, she has a voice and wants to be heard (see excerpt page 63).
The real appeal of Two Plates Full is the store’s versatility. Nothing is too unique and it is especially so during the holiday season.
In addition to December, March in the Valley is a popular time for the store too. Besides their staple customers, Two Plates Full caters to Spring Training visitors, car enthusiasts who travel her for Barrett Jackson, horse people who visit West World for different horse shows, and all the young people who come to Phoenix for spring break.
Two Plates Full features a fun-filled event every month called Second Sunday Art Fest. On that day, they feature local artists to promote they local talent. Music and food are featured throughout the day as they bring food trucks to park outside in a festive atmosphere.
Terri is proud of the heritage and legacy she has built with the store. Her kids grew up in the store – her daughter making change while her son built tunnels with empty boxes.
The family is active in the community, whether it be donating decorations to different events or contributing their time and efforts to the Arizona Animal Welfare League. It is clear she has left her mark.
She takes great pride in the fact that her clientele is loyal. She believes the way her employees treat the customer is what keeps them coming back.
“Our personalities are fun and engaging,” says Terri. “It separates us from other stores.”
She laughs when she explains how items turn into store displays.
“I am a shopaholic. So, if I don’t sell it, I put it on display.”
It is those displays that make Two Plates Full different from all other stores.
