Poor Cat Designs Brings Its Unique Style to Red Bank

The recent opening of Poor Cat Designs in Red Bank brings shoppers the chunky, handcrafted charms created by Oceanport jewelry designer Krista Karagias.

Karagias is the co-creator of designs showcased at the new location at 65 Broad St. that opened on Dec. 2.

"The leather bracelet with the handcrafted charm is the signature look, but we are expanding the line on a daily basis and coming up with new charms every day," Karagias said.

Poor Cat's charms come in platinum, 24-karat and 18-karat yellow gold, 18-karat white gold, 18-karat pink gold, and sterling silver. The charms range from celestial signs such as stars and moons to animals such as the Poor Cat logo, a cat head designed after the company's mascot Felix.

Karagias said co-creator Joseph Romanowski invented the idea for Poor Cat while working at Gold Tinkerer in Deal.

"We started out with a peace sign, a cross and a balance charm and we got an overwhelming response," Karagias said. "We knew we had something there and thought that we should develop it."

"Every day, we kept adding to the line and now it has almost become a cult following around here," she continued. "Now we are shipping jewelry all over the place; this morning I sent something to Australia."

Tracey Biederstadt, the location manager for Poor Cat's Red Bank headquarters, said her store offers customers something different.

"We focus on the customer and customizing pieces here," Biederstadt said. "We get to know our customers and make something personalized for them."

"We have a huge charm selection and do hand engraving for charms," she added.

Karagias said she has enjoyed the success Poor Cat Designs has achieved so far.

"We have an agenda and a style that works," Karagias said.

Poor Cat Designs is open from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Sunday this winter, but those hours will be expanded this spring.