For three decades, Dominique and Alan Darcy have poured their hearts into the couple’s eclectic downtown gallery and gift store, which they note promotes “simple elegance with a serious touch of whimsy.”
Although Dominique doesn’t spend time in the store these days, it’s clear the couple’s connection to each other and what they do has not faded in the past 30 years.
It’s fitting, given that their arts-centric Two Moons boutique has for a generation been at the heart of La Conner’s First Street business scene, that the 30th anniversary date of its opening is on Valentine’s Day.
For the Darcys, Two Moons reflects a love story – one shared with the artists whose Skagit Valley-themed pieces they market, the customers who browse aisles sporting the store’s wide range of upscale retail items, and the staff that works the sales floor and counter.
“We’ve been very blessed,” Alan says.
The Darcys have loved La Conner since their first visit in the 1990s. They had previously pursued careers in Southern California – Alan in the music industry and Dominique, formerly a sculptor, as a psychotherapist – before venturing north.
“We decided we wanted to open a store – somewhere,” Alan says. “We wanted to find a small town near the water that was also a nice place to live and where we could be successful.”
While in Seattle, they outlined their criteria for a friend from the music world, who took them to La Conner.
“We spent three days here and immediately fell in love with the town,” Alan says. “At that time, we didn’t know that (writer) Tom Robbins lived here or the great (Northwest School) artists were here.”
Dominique, who was raised in Paris, France, took on the task of scouting and buying stock, and acquiring the unique blend of crafts, contemporary art and practical giftware that have defined Two Moons from the start.
Dominique’s finds have included distinctive jewelry, ceramics, home décor, clothing, sculptures and garden art.
In addition, some sales items have literally walked through the store’s front door, which adjoins the Palace Market building north of the La Conner Pub & Eatery.
“There are people who come in and want to know if we might carry their various arts and crafts and them having conversations with us is part of the joy of having the business,” Alan says.
Soon after settling in La Conner, the Darcys met two acclaimed local artists in sculptor Tracy Powell, creator of the famed Maiden of Deception Pass story pole at Rosario Beach, and painter/filmmaker Maggie Wilder, whose creations adorn the walls of Two Moons.
It was Wilder who designed the distinctive Two Moons logo and inspired one of the store’s chief hallmarks, a select collection of works by renowned Skagit Valley artists.
“It’s one of the things that we’re most proud of,” Alan says.
The Darcys look forward to the Two Moons Valentine’s Day anniversary and annual sale that launches the day after.
For Alan and Dominique, Valentine’s Day has added significance. They were engaged on Valentine’s Day in 1980, 16 years to the day before opening Two Moons.
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
