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22 Kearsarge Magazine • Spring 2008
PEOPLE, PLACES AND THING S Mustang Sally
A well-dressed gal stands on 195Main Street in New London. Even onthe hottest day of the year, her outfit isimpeccable, almost breezy. Fall mayfind her in coordinating hues of rust,brown and green. And, despite a chill-ing winter wind, she’s stylish from herstriped wool scarf to her Lucky Ladyrubber boots.
Meet Mustang Sally — yes, themannequin at Art i s a n ’s Workshop has a name, and she has a personality all of her own. Her story begins in April,when Art i s a n ’s added clothing to itsunique offerings of jewelry, accessoriesand local art. The staff at Art i s a n ’swould dress up a mannequin and placeit in front of the store. “The mannequinwas meant to inspire people to comeinside and take a look at the ever-changing collection of clothes,” saysKim Russell, a longtime employee.
People noticed. They’d comment onthe mannequin’s sense of style. They’dbuy the outfits right off her. And theyasked for her name. “People start e dmaking up namesfor her,” saysowner Marc yVi e rzen. “We decided to give her a proper name, and ask our customer base to be a p a rt of that. Theyw e re the ones taking ownership of her personality. ”
The contest was announced, andthe creative names started to roll in:Esmerelda, Libby N. London (living inNew London), Marvelous Mabel,
Whimsy… and Mustang Sally. “Assoon as we saw this name, it wasunanimous. It captured everythingwe wanted — an old fashionedname that we could make ourown,” says Vierzen. NicoleDensmore of New London hassubmitted the name of the gal whomakes heads turn. And makesTodd Westward of WestwardRenovation and PropertyManagement want to bring overthe drill to stop her from fallingdown with each gust of wind.
“When we find her bellydown out back, we know she’s been at the bar at PeterChristian’s,” says Amy Witmer,store manager.
You’ll roar with laughterwhen you hear the staff atArtisan’s talk about her — eventhough she may be standing right there.They point out her reverse tan line (shefaded a bit this summer) and how shenever wears the same thing twice. “She
wears a differentoutfit every day— sometimestwo if shipmentscome in,” saysRussell. “If theweather shifts,we put a sweateron the poor girl.”
They’d liketo add more jew-
elry to Mustang Sally’s ensembles, but“she doesn’t have arms or ears,” saysRussell. Another employee, LindaTimbrell, finishes the sentence by saying,“but she’s got style!”
It’s wonderful to see everyone —employees and customers and passersby— having fun with a little help fromMustang Sally.
“We have a ball with MustangSally,” says Vierzen. “It’s just too badshe’s got so much going on, so manyplaces to go and things to do, she sometimes loses her head over it all!”
WHO: Mustang Sally
WHERE: Artisan’s Workshop, 195 Main Street,New London
WHEN: The hardworking fashion icon works seven days a week (when the shop is open)
WHY: Ask for a Mustang Sally story and the team atArtisan’s will tell you a good one
WEB: www.artisansworkshopnh.com
CONTACT: 526-4227 or [email protected]
“When we find her belly down out back, we know
she’s been at the bar at Peter Christian’s,”
says Amy Witmer,store manager.
Reprinted with permission from the Spring 2008 issue of
