G’s . . . A Boutique
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Bridgeport’s notorious for a few things, but shopping’s not one of them. Mary Ortiz, who grew up in the neighborhood and raised her own kids there, hopes to help change that. When her mother died last year, Ortiz was left with hundreds of pieces of vintage sterling-silver and gold Mexican jewelry left over from a jewelry store her parents owned for a short time in the late 70s. A real estate agent, she had taken note of all the new condos and townhomes going in and now decided that they presented an opportunity. In November she opened G’s . . . A Boutique (named in tribute to her mother, Guadalupe) in a former hot dog joint. The stash includes thin silver chokers and bracelets made by Ortiz’s uncle and father and a bracelet of tiny silver sombrero charms. Newer inventory comes from Chicago designers as well; there are graceful gold and silver chains from Zoe Oliver strung with teardrop-shaped gems like amethysts and smoky quartz, kooky bags and slim wallets made out of pulp novels from the 40s and 50s, and belts and handbags in printed and embroidered fabrics by Jennifer Gordon, who designs under the name Sojourn. Prices range from $20 to $200; the store’s closed on Mondays.