Keeping a small business afloat is always a challenge, but the first year is always the hardest. So it’s great to see that one of our village’s newest businesses, My Roommates Closet, has just celebrated its first anniversary.
My Roommates Closet is located at 19 East Main St. in the Village of Webster, next door to the Village Quilt Shoppe. It’s owned by 24-year old Nicole Iorio, a recent St. John Fisher graduate with a degree in business marketing. Her vision from day one was to share her love of clothing and fashion with women of all ages, help them discover new and different styles to add to their closets and to find that “missing piece” they’ve been looking for. (Click here to read the blog I wrote about the shop last year.)
By the look of things, she’s accomplished those goals — and more. She’s expanded her inventory with plenty of dressy and day-to-day styles for both younger and (a little bit) older women. She’s partnered with other small business owners to sell some of their products, like candles, jewelry and specialty clothing. And she’s developed a regular clientele, both online and in store.
No one is more surprised by the boutique’s success than Nicole herself. Thinking back to the anniversary party she had on Oct. 24, she remembers that it felt “surreal.”
“It doesn’t feel like it’s been a year,” she said. “I only feel like I’ve been doing it for three months. It’s kind of like impostor syndrome. It hasn’t hit me yet. Maybe once I’m able to hire someone, that’s when its gonna be like I’m a legit business.”
But she was perhaps most surprised and delighted by how quickly and warmly she was welcomed by the village community. It was a big relief, given how unsure she was of running her first business, in a town which she didn’t know very well.
“I’m 24. I’ve never done anything like this before,” she said. “It was really nerve-wracking. I feel the businesses here (in the village) have been here for a while, and then I came in.” But, “I was welcomed with open arms.”
“What surprised me the most is how close-knit the businesses are here. When I first opened I had people come in and introduce themselves. Everyone was so nice and they continue to be super nice. … Just the coolest thing ever meeting other small business owners that I’m now friends with.”
“I’m feeling like I’m part of the community.”
Now, at the start of her second year in business, Nicole is determined to give back to the community which has welcomed her so warmly. From Nov. 8 through 19 she’ll be collecting items for Willow Domestic Violence Center in Rochester. Anyone interested in helping out can choose an item (or several) from the wish list below, and drop it off at My Roommates Closet during regular business hours. Nicole herself will be donating several items from her old inventory (“I would rather donate it than throw it out”), and will be taking all of the donations downtown just before Thanksgiving.
She’s already planning another donation drive of some kind for December. “I really want to do something and give back and get the community involved,” she said, “and now I have that community where I can.”
My Roommates Closet is located at 19 East Main St. in the Village of Webster. The shop is open Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
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(posted 11/6/2023)
webster on the web 
Congratulations and the best of luck! I look forward to visiting your boutique and meeting you. Signed: …a little bit older woman !!! 😊