Webster’s East Main Street is coming back to life, and that’s great news for the village.
For too long, East Main, especially the north side, seemed to be struggling, pock-marked with empty storefronts. Aside from a restaurant or two and a few shops on the south side of the street, there really wasn’t much reason to be down there. A few art-themed shops tried to make a go of it, but didn’t last very long.
The only good thing about the situation was that it was really easy to find a parking spot.
But all that seems to be a thing of the past. Now under the ownership of Charlie Fitzsimmons, that once vacant stretch of East Main Street is seeing a renaissance. Several new businesses have moved in in the past year, including the Village Bakery, ROC & Soul Fitness, Suzanne Neace Photography, The Pickled Paintbrush, Lala of Webster and an expanded rSalon & Spa.
Most recently, another unique new shop has joined them, Chandeliers Boutique.
Chandeliers opened its doors just a few weeks ago at 32 E. Main Street. I stopped in the other day, and was pleased to discover a large, spacious shop filled with dresses, tops, shoes, skirts, pants and jewelry. Staff member Karen McKissock came out to greet me personally, and we were soon joined by store manager Marlane McCue. Together, they tried to put the essence of the shop into words.
It’s “boutique shopping at affordable prices,” Marlane said, featuring “items you’re not
Karen McKissock and Marlane McCue at Chandeliers.
going to find in the mall. You’re not going to see someone else walking around the street with it on.”
Karen added that Chandeliers offers “a more personal shopping experience. There’s coffee, there’s help if you need it. If you try something on and you need advice, we’re here.”
The fashions, Karen said, are not really dressy, but rather “casual and comfortable.” Things that go from “business to casual easily,” Marlane added.
This is actually the third location for Chandeliers, which can also be found in Canandaigua and Pittsford. Marlane said that owner Darlyne Truax was looking at several possible spots in Webster but ultimately decided on 32 E. Main because she liked Fitzsimmons’ “goals” for the village.
“I think she really was very happy about … how ambitious he was about bringing people into the town. To make it a walking village.”
That dream is becoming a reality. Chandeliers, together with its neighbors The Pickled Paintbrush and Lala of Webster, combine to make a perfect trio of cute “let’s wander in here” shops, exactly the kind of stores we need here in Webster to bring people back into town.
If you’re headed into town for the Jazz Fest this Friday and Saturday, it’s a great chance to stop in and check them out. They’re right next door to each other on East Main Street.
Chandeliers is open seven days a week. If you’d like an especially personal shopping experience, ask them about their after-hours shopping get-togethers, when you can gather a bunch of friends for refreshments and a private shopping party.
Find out more about Chandeliers on their website, or call 585-622-1266.
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