STAYING POWER: The Paris Market
Step inside The Paris Market, a thoughtful curation that evokes the feeling of strolling through an open-air market in France, where modern marvels and antique treasures await.
Founded in Savannah, Georgia in 2001, the shop offers everything from handmade jewelry and custom lighting to unique homewares and luxurious linens. Set inside a restored 19th-century Victorian grocery, the space invites guests to get lost in a world of discovery.
We spoke with owner Paula Danyluk about her shop’s origins, where she looks for inspiration, and how she keeps the brick-and-mortar magic alive in the age of convenience. Scroll on to hear more from the seasoned shopkeeper.
1. What did you do before this shop and how did that lead you here?
In another chapter of my life, I was a speech pathologist. It gave me the opportunity to travel the world with a medical nonprofit. One day, I found myself in Paris, and something about it felt like home. My love for France was always present. I studied the language and grew up surrounded by its influence in New Orleans’ architecture, food, and culture. When I returned home, I realized that something had shifted, and my partner encouraged me to create something entirely my own.
I didn’t have a clear plan, but I knew I wanted to build something meaningful. I enrolled in art school and immersed myself in learning. What resonated most were art history, interior design, and large-scale, immersive installations. That experience gave me the creative foundation — and the confidence — to begin.
2. How has your concept evolved over the years?
It all started with a small booth in an antique mall. I was immediately hooked. From there, we moved into a space on Jones Street, and after a few years, we had outgrown it. I spent days driving around, searching for what might come next — and then I saw it. The space on Broughton needed a lot of work, but I knew instantly that it was ours. I signed the lease sitting on an upside-down bucket, watching pigeons fly through the open doorway.
I fell in love with the high ceilings, the worn floors, and the atmosphere we could create. Lavender in the air, coffee brewing, soft conversation, music playing in the background. I never wanted it to feel exclusive or intimidating. I wanted it to feel warm, welcoming, and lived-in. A place where anyone could walk in and feel at ease — even someone from France. Over time, the concept has grown, but our core intention has never changed: to create a space that feels both transportive and deeply personal.
3. Steepest learning curve in the beginning?
In the beginning, you worry about what other people think and want things to be perfect. As you get older, you rely more on what you like and trust your intuition.
4. What role does e-commerce play in your business?
This has been huge for us the past 4 years. We took it more seriously and treated it like another location, making sure it was styled and tied into our marketing. Our audience lives all over the country, nostalgic for their time in Savannah. Now we can offer that connection back to us in a way that is convenient for them.
5. How do you handle social media?
It is an ever-hungry beast that is constantly needing to be fed. We have found the most success in trying to unite our messaging and displays in the physical store with what we are trying to showcase online. It does allow for a much more detailed approach, whereas the store is huge and things can get lost. It used to be just me, but now we have a creative director, an in-house photographer, and a rotating youthful staff who are willing to help slide a latte into frame or light a candle for reels...you get it. We also have a pretty strong newsletter readership, which surprised me, but it seems you still have people craving longer-form content.
6. Top song on the shop soundtrack?
The soundtrack to Amélie always sets the mood as people walk through our doors.
7. How do you source new products? Any secret tips you can share?
Pay attention. Sometimes it is a color, and suddenly I see it everywhere and hunt items down that tell that story for each of our store sections. Other times, it is hearing the passion from a maker. We have always loved Shoppe Object because it seems to meet all the design checks I've built into my brain when I am curating for our shop.
8. What’s the secret to your longevity?
Get out into the world and stay inspired. It's how you keep the sense of wonder that you then want to bring to your customers.
9. Advice for future shopkeepers? Particularly those hoping to open a brick-and-mortar?
You constantly have to ask the question... why here? In an age of convenience and e-commerce, you have to give people a reason for your shop. You won't win just on the price or the convenience. You need to offer magic, wonder, inspiration, comfort, joy — things that set you apart. Be more community-minded. Can you partner with other businesses to help each other through events or collaborations? Get creative. You can in a way that big businesses can't. Use that.
