*in honor of small business saturday (nov. 24), i'm featuring four shops in my town of northampton, massachusetts, in a series of posts called "open." the owners filled out a short q+a and i visited each store to take a few photos. i'm hoping that not only will this drum up holiday business for the small businesses in the town i love so much, but that other bloggers will be inspired to do the same in their towns! feel free to link back to this post, and post a link to your "open" features in the comments! these posts are not sponsored. read "open" posts 1, 2 + 3.
welcome to ode!
at ode, beautiful clothing is carefully curated with one thing in mind: inspiring -- and being inspired by -- every woman who walks through the door. the atmosphere is inviting + artistic, but the clothes are the real show-stoppers, and are selected to fit + flatter. ode also supports several local non-profit organizations that serve women + girls in the pioneer valley -- including motherwoman, the prison birth project, + the girls leadership institute -- which is almost more beautiful than their wares!
q + a with ode owner kristin kelly:
when did your business open? august 2010
what does your business sell? we carry clothing, shoes, accessories, + beauty products. but i like to think we’re in the business of inspiring women -- sartorially, artistically, and, well, spiritually. when a woman spends time on herself, it’s good for her soul. it’s also important for us to support our community. ode donates 5% of all profits to different non-profits in the valley. on the second friday of every month, we host an arts night out soiree, highlighting innovative artists (musicians, dancers, poets, designers). again, it’s all about inspiration + ways to feed the soul.
what does being a "small business owner" mean to you? i take it seriously. my customers are also my friends, neighbors, family. i’ll see someone at the gym or at a cafe, then later in the store trying on jeans. i think it makes one more accountable for the level of care + service provided. and i care deeply about my customers. they’re incredibly amazing women.
what is it like to own a small business in northampton? it means i get to be surrounded by creative, philanthropic, smart, beautiful women all the time. i feel really lucky. here, “local” is synonymous with “quality,” and people recognize and support that. plus, it’s fun! i see women walking down main st. all decked out in ode attire, + i feel proud. ode is playing a part in beautifying downtown northampton.
ode is located at 263 main street in northampton. ode is open mon. - weds. 10 am - 6 pm, thurs. - sat. 10 am - 8 pm, and sun. 12 pm - 5 pm. call 413-727-8026.
