A cute, spunky little boutique moved into the Village of Webster recently, quietly setting up shop off the lower parking lot at 7 West Main St.
Crafty Christy’s Boutique opened several weeks ago, next door to the rear entrance of the Village Smoke Shop, just across from the gazebo. Stocked with vintage clothing, handmade and vintage jewelry and artfully decorated items, owner Christina Barnum describes her shop as “a boutique for the flower child at heart.”
“This is a very unique boutique,” she said.”My theory is recycle, reuse, recreate. So at least 50% of what is in here is upcycled, which I made from something else. It’s what I do best. I have a knack for finding things, putting things together…. (with my) little bohemian flair.”
I call Crafty Christy’s Boutique “spunky” because it exists only because of Christina’s conviction and downright determination.
This is actually the fourth time she’s tried to make a go of it. After operating a home-grown boutique from her Penfield home for a while, in 2015 she opened up her first shop behind the old Toy-Go-Round in Webster. Then called the Little House Boutique, a car accident put an end to that dream pretty quickly. Her next two tries in Palmyra and Ontario didn’t make enough money to survive.
Undeterred, Christina is trying again, with the same do-or-die spirit that got her through a stint with the Marines.
“The only reason I made it through (the Marines),” she said, “was because someone told me I couldn’t, and I said ‘watch me.’ It’s the same thing with this.”
Of course Christina would love to see this most recent attempt be successful, but to her, it isn’t just about financial success.
“It’s not about the money,” she said. “This is a passion I have. The connections I’ve made through all the attempts have been amazing. I’ve met some great people. I’ve inspired some women along the way, I’ve met other businesswomen and we all encourage each other. It’s more about that than anything else.”
This time around, Christina has reimagined her shop, changing the name to reflect her new focus on crafts. She’ll be hosting craft classes at least twice a month, and every Thursday night will be hanging around the shop for anyone who wants to just stop in and make-and-take a craft. (Her next jewelry craft class, by the way, is this Thursday Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.)
She also wants to offer craft therapy for veterans.
“I’ve been in different kinds of therapy throughout the years….I know the need to just be with others who have experienced the same things that you have and feel comfortable about talking about it. We want to kind of keep it low-key, let’s just be comrades and have some fun.”
On top of all of that, Christina is raising money through her sales to benefit Blessed Hope Community Church, and (soon) Pets for Vets.
It sounds like Crafty Christy’s Boutique is going to be a valued member of our Webster Village community.
Crafty Christy’s Boutique, in the lower parking lot at 7 West Main St., is open Monday through Thursday 3:30 to 7:30, Friday 3 to 5, and Saturday 11 to 5. Christina is still getting her Facebook page and website up and running, but you can see a few things at craftychristysboutique.com. Christina will also be participating in this weekend’s Trick or Treat Trail, so that would be a great time to pop in and check out the place. Call (585) 236-1131 for more information to to register for a class.
Here are some photos in the meantime:
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Your gift for finding Webster stories is so appreciated, Missy. Thank you for sharing them.