Meet Karen Quinones: Owner & Curator of En Avance

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karen Quinones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karen, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I have taken many risks in my 27 years in business. I opened in 1993 and took a big risk to open on Lincoln Road which was basically an empty pedestrian street with artist studios, an FPL office and a clinic for psych patients which was directly across the street from me. I had to install a lock and doorbell because i would have random homeless people coming in with grocery carts with all their belongings in tow. The doorbell added an element of exclusivity when in fact it was just added as a measure of security. I had my business on Lincoln Road from 1993 until my decision to move to the Design District in 2006, another very bold move. At the time, the Design District was mainly interior design firms and abandoned, decrepit buildings. It was certainly not a retail destination and would not develop in to the neighborhood that is it now for many years to come. Without risk, there is no reward.

What should our readers know about your business?
As a curator, I have always stayed true to my aesthetic. I have never followed trends. At first I had to educate my clients who may have been label centric to understand the value of classic, timeless silhouettes and luxe fabrics. It’s always better to have one beautiful piece that can translate for many years to come.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Some of my favorite spots in Miami: The Living Room at Faena, i love its intimate Art Deco vibe and live entertainment. Also, the Faena Theater with cabaret shows is a fun night out on the town. Lucali at Sunset Harbour for a delicious thin crusted pizza Sunset drinks on the bay at the Standard Hotel Michaels Geniune in the Miami Design District for their roasted chicken Makoto in Bal Harbour for sushi A drive to Key Biscayne for lunch at Boaters Grill in the State Park at the end of the island Vizcaya Museum and Gardens A Sunday drive to Homestead to my favorite place for Orchids, R.F. Orchids

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m very appreciative for the concessions provided to me during this most unprecedented of times by Craig Robins and his partners in the Design District. With their assistance, we are able to still have a local presence and can continue to work towards making the Miami Design District the preeminent shopping destination that it is.

Website: Www.EnAvance.com
Instagram: @EnAvanceMiami
Facebook: EnAvanceMiami