Two-Dozen Lenox Merchants Band Together

 

Glad Rags

Glad Rags

(LENOX, Mass.) – A group of 25 like-minded business owners have formed the Lenox Merchants Group to promote shopping at independently owned stores in downtown Lenox.

Among the businesses taking part in the group is Glad Rags, celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2015. Lynne West, owner of Glad Rags, has earned a devoted clientele over the decades.

Judie Culver opened the doors of Purple Plume in 1981. Since then, Culver and her staff have been offering beautiful and unusual items for women, including many fair-trade and American-made labels. Purple Plume also specializes in Mother of the Bride ensembles.

Voted one of the top one hundred galleries in America, Hoadley Gallery has shown fine art and contemporary crafts by acclaimed local and national artists since 1985. The gallery exhibits paintings, jewelry, home furnishings, ceramics and glass.

The art of weaving has been taking place for 31 years at Weavers Fancy, where owner and designer Katharine (Kate) Pincus offers a selection of hats, tunics, jackets, gloves and scarvesl all made from original hand-crafted fabrics in natural fibers.

Wit Gallery, 'Steam Punk'

Wit Gallery, ‘Steam Punk’

Tony Chojnowski, owner of three very successful shops, Casablanca, Shooz and Swtrz, refers to his businesses as children. Chojnowsk is a community leader in all things retail and non-retail and a strong advocate for attracting new businesses to Lenox.

At the Art and Chocolate Gallery, owner Diana Bartlett offers chocolate while shoppers browse the selection of paintings and photographs. She also carries an eclectic mix of scarves, hats, jewelry and gifts made by local artisans.

Lenox Print and Mercantile offers Berkshire-made gifts and products from over 75 artisans, as well as printing, copy, scan, fax service and office supplies.

At Vida Sana Healing Arts, owner and practitioner Sarah Williams offers a variety of integrated healing modalities.

Wit Gallery has been a showcase for art in all media since 1999.

Known for their personalized service, Concept of Art-Lenox Judaica offers unique contemporary, traditional and ceremonial items, along with jewelry and objects d’art. They showcase the finest artists from Israel, the United States and other countries.

Showcasing local artists and artisans is Local, located in the Lenox Commons. New owner Elizabeth Powell is breathing new life into her shop, offering jewelry, clothing, home accessories and fine art all made and created locally.

Gifted Child

Gifted Child

After 33 years, Randy Austin and her staff at The Gifted Child can help you choose classics for kids, including toys and clothing for newborn, kids and pre-teens.

Laurie Donovan of Laurie Donovan Designs features one-of-a-kind, handmade jewelry, colored gemstones and an extraordinary collection of antique jewelry. “We have the most complete and outstanding collection of color gemstones in the Berkshires” says Donovan. She specializes in custom orders and repairs fine jewelry.

Pink tourmaline cuff bracelet from Jewelz

Pink tourmaline cuff bracelet from Jewelz

Joane Cornell, owner of Jewelz, is a custom jewelry designer and manufacturer, involved in all aspects of the field for over 35 years. Besides working for 18 years in the heart of the Manhattan jewelry district, she also worked for the famous I. Shor International Corporation. “I create something timeless and important by itself and in relation with the person who wears it”, says Cornell, who uses both precious and semi-precious stones.
Twigs has been a premier fashion destination for over 11 years, specializing in contemporary-everyday chic women’s and girls clothing. Owner Lisa Nappo carries an extensive collection of must have brands, including Vince, Free People, Current Elliott, CP Shades, Splendid, Velvet and Citizens for Humanity. Girl’s fashions include Splendid, Ella Moss and Vintage Havana. Featured jewelry is by local designer Stephanie Iverson.

Suzannah Zeif Van Schaick of Second Home, and her husband, Pieter, are right on trend featuring upcycled home furnishings, accessories and gifts. The pair has melded their talents to produce one-of-a-kind pieces from previously owned furnishings.
Sohn Fine Art Gallery, specializing in printing, framing and workshops, promotes a broader understanding of and community engagement with photographic mediums through exhibitions, lectures and workshops. Look for the Master Artists Series, a program that hosts world-class photographers in the Berkshires annually.

'Sheep' by Scott Barrow Photography

‘Sheep’ by Scott Barrow Photography

Scott Barrow Photography offers the fine-art photography of its eponymous owner, who was one of the chief photographers and visionaries behind the late, lamented Berkshire Living magazine. His work graced many magazine covers, feature stories, and the last page “Backbone” portrait of every issue. Barrow is an award-winning photographer whose work has been shown in galleries the world over and has been published in over a half-dozen books.

MacKimmie Co. is a new blanket and throw shop, in which owners Doris and Vytas Barsauskas offer the best of American-made and a lineup of imports and exciting emerging designers.

“We’re tremendously appreciative that many of the shops in the Lenox Merchants Group support Tanglewood and the Boston Symphony Orchestra via their annual membership in Tanglewood Business Partners,” says Laurence E. Oberwager, Director Tanglewood Business Partners. “We encourage our guests to patronize local Business Partners in the spirit of ‘support the businesses that support Tanglewood.’ The group’s collective contributions help to keep Tanglewood vibrant, which translates directly into the economic health of Lenox and the Berkshires.”

“It’s one thing to run a business in downtown, and it is something else to be part of a community. I think the Lenox merchants really believe in the spirit that is here and go the extra mile to support the entire town,” said Christopher J. Ketchen, Lenox town manager.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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