nothin Harp: Avoid The Mall, Shop Local This Holiday | New Haven Independent

Harp: Avoid The Mall, Shop Local This Holiday

DAVID SEPULVEDA PHOTO

Davis with Mayor Harp.

Carrien Davis’s Westville flower shop, Any Occasion Creation, lived up to its name as it prepared a mixed floral bouquet to present to Mayor Toni Harp. From the tray of small savory and desert pies supplied by the nearby Sixpense Pie Company, the mayor, who arrived with a small entourage, sampled a mini-pecan pie as she discussed business with the owner and admired displays throughout the shop.

The visit to Westville’s shopping district Wednesday evening was the fourth in a series of seven evening mayoral visits to city businesses, all part of an economic development strategy to highlight shops and restaurants in the lead-up to the holiday shopping season. Cool temperatures and holiday-themed commercials have already kicked in, reminding shoppers that it’s time to hit the stores. 

The mayor and her economic development team are hoping that shopping dollars remain within city limits. They are encouraging holiday shoppers to avoid suburban malls altogether with a quick visit to interesting, locally-owned New Haven small businesses.” (Click here and here to read about two of her other neighborhood commercial-district visits.)

After a year at her present location at 924 Whalley Ave., Davis said, she is relocating her full-service florist shop to a more suitable” location at 847 Whalley. She said the spot across the street will afford better parking and more interior space. With the opening of her new shop in early December, Davis said, there will be lots of traditional holiday offerings of wreaths and decorations in addition to the fresh flowers that are at the core of the business.

At 912 Whalley, home of Barrage Designs, and the second stop on her business-boosting itinerary, Mayor Harp entered and quickly spied an upcycled cruz bottle, a candle holder that business owner Alysia Southern said she bedazzled with polished stones and vintage costume jewelry. Sold!

Southern said she creates around 50 percent of store merchandise through repurposing of objects and converting items to a higher aesthetic purpose. Much of the inventory is supplied through collaboration with other artists, business start-ups, and charitable organizations that provide interesting hand-crafted items. 

Catherine Cazes-Wiley of Tinaliah, left, Fripp-Elbert, right.

Among those present Wednesday evening was Vivian Fripp-Elbert, a Barrage vendor who was showing a large rack of shawls and teddy bears hand-crafted by homeless women and women in recovery that she works with, teaching life-skills and crafts, including crochet and jewelry making. Fripp-Elbert said the program, held in Church on the Rock on Hamilton Street, is both therapeutic and entrepreneurial.

Westville resident Randy Laist, who started a book exchange at the store, has enlisted the aid of students at Goodwin College to with help on-line and social media marketing.

Gaye Hyre of ArtBra, right.

In addition to being a home decor retail outlet, Barrage continues to host a variety of classes and happenings that can be viewed on their monthly newsletter. Gaye Hyre, co-founder of the New Haven area ArtBra organization that benefits women with breast cancer, has been teaching a class at Barrage in creative bustier design, as well as dispensing expert advice at the shop on antiques and collectibles. Hyre presented Mayor Harp with a T shirt bearing the Artbra logo.

Southern with Harp and city economic development officer Helen Rosenberg..

Elinor Slomba of Project Storefronts noted a degree of serendipity in the unpredictable partnerships that arise when you’re in an ecosystem of creative entrepreneurs wanting to raise the profile of New Haven as a city known for good design and green eco-friendly living.” For her part, Southern said, she has felt extraordinarily supported by the initiatives and business climate that has emerged since Harp took over as mayor.

Tags:

Sign up for our morning newsletter

Don't want to miss a single Independent article? Sign up for our daily email newsletter! Click here for more info.


Post a Comment

Commenting has closed for this entry

Comments

Avatar for One City Dump

Avatar for smccaslin