Stephen Montoya
Paula Perrone
Paula Perrone moves through her store with a quiet kind of grace, like she’s conducting a symphony. Everything seems to have its place, a perfect balance between past and present. Cacti & Crescent isn’t just a boutique; it’s an immersive experience where the vibrant colors, textures, and curated pieces come together like they’ve always belonged.
A Fort Worth native and attorney by trade, Perrone has always been connected to legacy — specifically, her family’s. Since 1952, her family has owned Perrone Pharmacy, one of the oldest in Texas. But when she came across the corner building at 4737 Camp Bowie Boulevard a few years ago, something about it pulled her in. Initially meant to house a satellite pharmacy, the building’s fate took a turn after the pandemic, and the timing just wasn’t right. The labor market was unpredictable, and Perrone couldn’t stretch her team any thinner.
So, she pivoted.
“I wanted to do something different,” she says, surveying the carefully curated collection of vibrant textiles, hand-painted ceramics, and eclectic lamps. “Something fun.”
And so, Cacti & Crescent was born.
The name says it all. It’s a fusion of two worlds that shape Perrone’s identity —Texas, with its vast, untamed beauty, and New Orleans, with its sultry, art-filled streets. The building still echoes its former life as a gas station; the pump canopy is now a cozy patio where outdoor furniture invites you to linger, the space serving as a backdrop to lively outdoor art and furniture. Inside, the energy of New Orleans fuses seamlessly with the warmth of Fort Worth. Local artists like Sarah Gentry and Talley Scott adorn the walls, transforming the boutique into a living, breathing gallery.
“I love traditional furnishings, but with a twist,” Perrone says, running her fingers over the polished wood of a finely crafted credenza. “I like a lot of color, vibrant colors. Beautiful woods. I appreciate the history in these pieces.”
This isn’t just a store — it’s a feeling, a mood. Every item has a purpose, a story. From the luxury linens that promise an indulgent sleep, to the ceramics — each one uniquely hand-crafted —that seem to glow in the natural light streaming through the old gas station windows. “I love finding products you can’t find everywhere else,” Perrone adds.
And though the boutique is undeniably chic, it’s also inviting. You get the sense that if you pulled up a chair, Perrone would pour you a glass of wine, take a deep breath, and tell you the story behind every piece: where it’s from, who made it, and why it matters.
Stephen Montoya
“This store is just… me,” she says excitedly. “It’s my way of bringing a little bit of my world to Fort Worth.”
It’s no surprise that the idea for Cacti & Crescent began to take root in 2021, when Perrone realized that the building she had leased for Perrone Pharmacy needed a new purpose. After struggling to find the right staffing solutions, she decided to transform the space into something that could elevate local artisans and bring unique pieces to Fort Worth. Within six months, the boutique was born.
Each item on display tells its own story.
"It’s all just snowballed, and I’m thrilled,” Perrone says. “We have a beautiful mix of artists and artisans from both Fort Worth and New Orleans.”
In addition to hand-made ceramics, Cacti & Crescent offers customizable rugs, fabrics, linens, and furniture. Many of the vendors are old friends from her previous store in Virginia, Chesapeake & Crescent, which she ran from 2003 to 2011.
“We love helping people put a room together,” Perrone smiles, excited by the possibilities for her customers. Cacti & Crescent also includes a line of Sicilian tins and sundry, each carefully selected for quality and craftsmanship.
“The artistry and engineering that goes into making something beautiful is something to behold,” Perrone says. “I admire it so much. I know others will find these items unique, too.”
