The Homesteady

open: unite

*In honor of Small Business Saturday (Nov. 30), I'm featuring four shops in my town of Northampton, Massachusetts, in a series of posts called "Open." I'm hoping that not only will this drum up holiday business for the stores 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, nor are they affiliated with American Express.

Welcome to Unite.

Unite is one of the best places in town to go for carefully curated shoes, clothing, and bags. Their selection of footwear, apparel, and accessories boasts everything from Herschel backpacks to raw Japanese denim.

From owner Brian Foote:

When did your business open? 2002.

What does your business sell? Footwear, apparel, and accessories for men and women.

What does being a small business owner mean to you? Freedom.

What is it like to be a small business owner in Northampton? In our current retail climate, it is difficult to find the compromise between quality of goods and affordability for the Northampton shopper.

Unite is located at 202 Main St. in Northampton, MA, and is open Monday - Saturday from 12 pm - 6 pm. Call (413) 585-5774.

Read about Essentials, and last year's Open posts: Beehive Sewing Studio, Kestrel, Sticks & Bricks, and Ode

open: essentials

*In honor of Small Business Saturday (Nov. 30), I'm featuring four shops in my town of Northampton, Massachusetts, in a series of posts called "Open." I'm hoping that not only will this drum up holiday business for the stores 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, nor are they affiliated with American Express.

Welcome to Essentials.

Essentials  is one of my favorite stores in Northampton. From gifts to craft supplies to stationery, I find a treat to bring home every time I visit. I especially love their rubber stamp collection, locally made products, and French-inspired home goods!

From owner Colette Katsikas:

When did your business open? Essentials opened in 1986, but I've been the owner for over a year.  I've worked here since 1997 and finally took the leap in buying it in October of 2012. 

What does your business sell? Unique gifts, home goods, housewares, craft supplies, stationery, furniture, clothes...a little bit of everything. We like to sell things that feel homemade and useful, but are also beautiful and of high quality.

What does being a small business owner mean to you? It's definitely a way for me to be an active participant in my community. I like the creativity and the challenges and that I get to participate in all aspects of the business, buying, designing, interacting with customers, all of those things. It's always challenging and always keeps me busy, but I love every minute of it.

What is it like to own a small business in Northampton? It's as fulfilling as it is challenging. Northampton has its own personality and so every day is a learning experience, but I feel so happy to work in tandem with the other business owners of Northampton. Together I feel like we all contribute to a rich and lively place to live and work.

Essentials is located at 88 Main St. in Northampton, MA, and is open Monday - Thursday and Saturday from 10 am - 7 pm, Friday 10 am - 9 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm - 5 pm. Call (413) 584-2327 or shop online.

Read about Unite, and last year's Open posts: Beehive Sewing Studio, Kestrel, Sticks & Bricks, and Ode

open: ode

*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.

open: sticks + bricks

*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 + 4.

welcome to sticks + bricks!

sticks + bricks has been a northampton staple for a long time (thank goodness). it's a laidback store that's just brimming with creativity. from repurposed furniture to vintage odds + ends (like the old gramophone record keys below), there's always something surprising, original + totally local.

q + a with sticks + bricks owner liz karney:

when did your business open? november 2008

what does your business sell? i repurpose/reimagine old materials and make all sorts of new things, from jewelery to lamps to dining tables. i make functional one-of-a-kind art from reclaimed stuff (my workshop is in the back of the store) as does justin brown (another artist who is a fabulously talented at reimagining). i also sell other artists' work on consignment and feature different artists for northampton's arts night out. the store focuses mostly on homewares that are one-of-a-kind and use some kind of recycled element, but that doesn't mean you won't find the occasional pair of mittens made from old sweaters ;). i also do a lot of custom work. 

what does being a "small business owner" mean to you? mostly, it means i get to do what i love every day. i love owning this little shop, deciding what to value in this little space at 9 market st., being able to do my small part to affect the face + culture of northampton. i love providing a venue that connects consumers to other local artists. i can inspire people to think differently about old junk! it certainly has its challenges, + i often feel way behind on my to-do list, but mostly I feel so privileged. i'm a lucky girl.

what is it like to own a small business in northampton? i love it! this is a great community of progressive, artistic people who appreciate what i do -- not just the final product, but the whole process. it also attracts so many different kinds of people from all around -- i just wish more of them made their way over to market st. ;). 

sticks + bricks is located at 9 market st. in northampton. sticks + bricks is open tues. - fri. 12 pm - 6 pm, sat. 11 am - 6 pm, + sun. 12 pm - 5 pm. call 413-586-1560.

open: kestrel

*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, 3 + 4.

welcome to kestrel!

kestrel is a new addition to the landscape of small businesses in northampton -- and a welcome one! home decor, lots of terrarium inspiration, + a sitting area (feat. eames chairs) complete with a kinfolk magazine? i could live there. not kidding.

q+a with kestrel owner eliza jane bradley:

when did your business open? october 12, 2012

what does your business sell? we focus on home decor and gifts -- everything from pottery, kitchen wares, textiles, jewelry, furniture, books, prints, to garden decor. we have a lovely selection of hand-picked succulents, other unusual plant species, and beautiful containers to go with them. we focus on quality, creativity, craftsmanship + beauty when selecting our products -- all of which are either handmade, fair-trade, organic, repurposed, or simply designed so beautifully that we just couldn't resist. our aesthetic is both modern + natural, clean + simple, with a bit of a rustic industrial twist.

what does being a "small business owner" mean to you? the idea of being able to create/curate a space that represents all of the artists and designers i've admired for so long and create a business out of it -- how wonderful! it really seemed like the most fulfilling job for me, and a way to combine all of my strengths and interests and be doing something that i really love to do. so far the connections + relationships i have developed with people who have walked into the shop is the most rewarding part of being a small business owner for me so far. 

what is it like to own a small business in northampton? i have always felt that northampton would be a great place to own a store. people in the valley seem to really care about + support handmade craft + design, there is a very strong community-oriented spirit town. it's been so nice getting to know other local business owners -- everyone has been really welcoming + supportive which has been wonderful. i can't lie -- the project was super frightening at times but opening my doors and having people come in, get excited + appreciate what i am doing brings a huge smile to my face and makes me feel like, ok...this was the right decision.

kestrel is located at 22 masonic street in northampton. kestrel is open mon. - weds. 10 am - 6 pm; thurs. - sat. 10 am - 8 pm; sun. 11 am - 5 pm. call 413-341-3115.

open: beehive sewing studio

*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 2, 3 + 4.

welcome to the beehive sewing studio + workspace!

this space is every crafter's dream come true -- especially those of us who don't have enough room for a sewing machine, or who need constant guidance while humming away at a sewing project (ahem... i may or may not have burst into tears while working on every piece i've ever sewed, and can't wait to book some time here to work on a christmas present or two!). beehive offers eight workspaces -- complete with machines, professional tools, + advice when needed -- that you can rent by the hour! special workshops + classes fill beehive's calendar, and there's no shortage of inspiration lining the bookshelves of a comfortable reading nook at the back of the store.

q+a with beehive owner tess poe

when did your business open? august 1, 2012.

what does your business do? beehive sewing studio + workspace is the valley's first drop-in sewing studio and workspace. pay by the hour and stay as long as you need. the studio features eight sewing workstations, including six domestic machines by janome and two babylock sergers. the space is outfitted with professional cutting tools, irons, machine accessories, and other amenities. not a master sewist yet? guests can take one of our classes or workshops, taught by accomplished local seamstresses, fiber artists, and fabric artisans. beehive sewing was established to provide flexible access to workspace for people enaged in all kinds of sewing activities -- from apparel and garment construction to quilting to home decor projects and small gifts or accessories. the studio also functions as a community space, hosting parties and showers that feature a sewing activity, as well as lectures and community events.

what does being a small business owner mean to you? being a small business owner means connecting with the existing business community to strengthen the regional economy, create jobs, and most importantly, meet customers' needs. as a small business owner, i want to use the space as a laboratory for exploring different business models and ideas, while leveraging all the skills and experience i've gained in my 15+ year career. i also hope to get more of my own sewing done!

what is it like to own a small business in northampton? it's fun! it's a great combination of small town and big city. some days i work with folks who have the kind of professional experience that you'd find in a major urban center; other days i appreciate being able to walk two blocks to the local radio station and record my advertisements. there are a lot of resources here in northampton, and a community that supports local entrepreneurship. it's not dog-eat-dog; there's genuine interest in seeing businesses thrive.

beehive sewing studio + workspace is located at 271 pleasant st. beehive is open sunday 11 am - 6 pm; tuesday by appointment; wednesday 11 am - 6 pm; and thursday, friday + saturday 11 am - 8 pm. call 413-345-8201.