Marigold - Gateway to India

I loved this place! I'm going to a Bollywood party in LA next month and needed a sari. They were so helpful and even showed me step by step how to put on the sari. They have beautiful jewelry, pillow cases and anything else Indian that you can imagine. I definitely recommend checking out this place!

Pros: helpful, easy parking, reasonable price

Cons: none

Posted 03/12/09

I'd like everyone in Austin to know about this little shop on South Lamar... Owner Lata is friendly, accessible and helpful and her lovely shop has some of my favorite things - hard to find India imports. Last year I went in her shop and purchased four vintage Saris. She helped show me how a Sari is worn and was extremely helpful. This past weekend I stopped into her store again and was pleased that she has an even better selection of clothing and other beautiful items at very reasonable prices! I'm going back for more of my holiday shopping next week and I would recommend this boutique for unique, reasonably priced items.

Pros: Great service, unique items

Cons: easy to miss

Posted 12/08/08

I was a bit nervous to see what the prices and store would be like and was very pleasantly surprised! The shop owner was more than helpful in explaining all the different pieces of clothing and even helped my friends and I try on the beautiful fabrics all the while teaching us how to do it ourselves. She was even more generous with taking our pictures and getting the sizes we needed in the clothes we were interested in. It was a fun and great experience, you really felt as though you were in a shop in India when you walk in. The selections are wonderful and very reasonably priced. I will be going back soon I am sure! Don't forget to print off your coupon and take your camera when you go so you can have some fun pictures of yourself all dolled up Indian style!

Pros: Great prices and selection to choose from!

Cons: You'll want everything in the store!

Posted 07/15/08

The owner helped us drape saris on our group of three friends. She let us put on the jewelry and take a bunch of pictures for fun. It was a great girls' day out! We've always wanted to dress up in beautiful Indian clothes, and she was so nice and helpful. The prices were reasonable, although I do wish there was a larger selection of clothing. We enjoyed it a lot and plan on going back.

Pros: Great quiet shop, great service, help with draping saris, online coupon

Cons: a bit hard to find

Posted 07/14/08

This charming shop is well named, as it really is a gateway to another world. Lata, the hospitable owner, invites you into what seems like her exotically furnished living room, where each piece has an interesting story behind it. With every visit, I've managed to learn something new about the unique culture of South Asia. The pillow cover I recently bought has made a colorful addition to my home, and I look forward to visiting the store again soon.
Pros: Textiles have multiple uses.
Cons: Visits may be habit forming.

Posted 04/24/08

3.28.2008

Yesterday, tea and conversation,
we. sitting on three sides of a desk,
around us, blooming as hollyhocks
and coreopsis, handkerchief soft
shawls, silk scarves, and Lata?s
blouses, delicate in design. She
lends us elegant grace, gentle
innocence, as petals of hibiscus are
both. She is strong as homespun
cotton thread, smooth, dedicated
to holding her ethics in her heart,
on the racks where clothes sway.
There is peace in her store, in her
conversations and questions and
delight that someone appreciates
what she has created. She calls her
place Marigold. Perhaps in honor
of all she has brought my life I shall
plant some marigolds in our backyard.

Nancy Taylor Day

Posted 04/01/08

There is nothing like this in Austin! What an exciting addition to South Austin. The only negative is that there is so much I want to take home and decisions become difficult. Silk sari fabrics for those with ornamental taste, lovers of sixties patterns, subdued tones or bright wild patterns. Perfect place for unique gifts -- especially the tapestry wall hangings. Shawls can be table coverings, too. I've worn my light-weight feminine boiled cotton blouses constantly this summer. The service is just what I prefer -- there to help if you want but they allow me to study the colors and fabrics alone. Not intrusive. (I'm going today for kitchen curtains!)

Pros: spacious, wide selection, one-of-a-kind things, plenty of parking, good prices

Cons: too much of a good thing

Posted 08/13/07

I had so much fan at Marigold today! The store very colorful and is much larger than it looks from the outside. The clothing is perfect for Austin summers and the vintage saris are so beautiful and fun to look at. The staff is very nice and helpful. I would reccomend visiting this store to anyone and look forward to returning.

Pros: Fantastic products and great customer service.

Cons: It's kind of hard to find - find it just south of Oltorf on west side of street. There is parking in the back.

Posted 07/31/07