Profile - Paulita Bennett

Paulita Bennett likes owls and snow globes and believes that no toilet seat should go without a cover. She prefers macrame, but any cover is better than no cover.

Paulita co-owns YoYo boutique on Carroll Street in Cabbagetown, which stocks ’70s and ’80s vintage urban gear as well as new clothing by independent designers.

The store name came from Bennett constantly making fun of all of her friends’ overuse of the slang word, “Yo.”

Born in Belize, Paulita moved to the states at 5 years old. She was influenced by her older cousins and friends’ urban lifestyle. Her parents disapproved of the graffiti, beatboxing and breakdancing way of life, but once in college, Paulita embraced hip-hop culture through art, clothing and music.

Busy Paulita shuttles between another YoYo boutique in Miami and supplying retro clothing to stores in New York. She also has worked as a retail buyer, children’s fashion stylist, and magazine events promoter. She recently added writing to her resume by interviewing Ground Zero Crew for Elemental Magazine, and she could very well be your waitress at Radial Cafe.

She just made Atlanta her other home two months ago. She doesn’t own a motorized vehicle and resists the urge to get one. She explores the baffling maze of our city on her BMX bike. When she’s not on two wheels, you’ll find Paulita hoofing it or riding MARTA.

The best vintage score ever was a pair of two-toned Cazal enamel glasses that Paulita bought at a thrift store for 50 cents; she sold them for a steep $150.

In the coming months, look for a remodeled YoYo, featured artist events and more Friday night live DJ sets.