The Village of Webster recently welcomed a new business to East Main Street, and it’s already become an enthusiastic supporter of the Webster community.
Curated officially opened its doors on May 20 at 44 East Main, in the lower parking lot between Village Bakery and ROC & Soul Fitness. Those who walk through the door will find themselves immersed in what feels like a beautifully-appointed home, a comfortable, welcoming space decorated with artfully-placed furniture, decorative and functional home items, and gifts.
Owner Justin Brown explains that, true to the meaning of the word “curated,” his shop features a collection of items gathered over time.
I’m a mix of vintage and new pieces. In my design aesthetic I always intermix the two. I like to have mixed metals, mixed woods. … We have a lot of items from upholstery to lighting, special order, case goods, all the way to gift items for the kitchen and women’s jewelry. It’s a collection of pieces that I personally love.
Justin brings with him extensive experience in retail and interior design, having worked for American Eagle, Anthropologie, MacKenzie Childs in New York City, and most recently the Windsor Cottage Store on Winton Place.
When the owner there decided to close up shop after 21 years, Justin thought to himself, “I always wanted a shop of my own. No time like the present.” So he started investigating available storefronts. Webster was the first place he considered, and despite looking at several other locations, he kept coming back to 44 East Main.
“I wanted to be in a village atmosphere,” he said. “I wanted people to be able to get out, walk store to store and have a local mentality, not necessarily be next to a big box retailer or franchises.”
“(This location) really does have a neighborhood feel. Having the bakery next door, ROC & Soul, Lalas, it really gave me a feel of a neighborhood but still has lots of options for clients and residents to come to park, walk around and enjoy a sense of neighborhood.”
Pulling the new shop together was a labor of love. It was “raw space,” Justin said, requiring a full build-out, including framing, insulating, drywall, floors, baseboards, a drop ceiling and more, even before painting could begin. Construction delays put him behind schedule, so that by the time everything was done, he had less than a week to move in, get all the merchandise delivered and set up before his already-planned grand opening on May 20. But with lots of help from his husband, parents, sisters and in-laws, it all came together in time.
Justin has already demonstrated that he wants to be a strong village and community partner. He’s joined the Business Improvement District and less than 48 hours after officially opening his doors, participated in the first Webster Wine Walk of the season.
“It’s the least that I can do as a small business owner,” Justin said. “If I’m asking the community to support me, I need to support the community.”
“I feel it’s only right.”
Curated is located at 44 East Main St., in the lower parking lot between Village Bakery and ROC & Soul Fitness. Read more about the shop on their website and Facebook page.
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(posted 6/1/2022)
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Congratulations and best wishes❣️