Marton & Davis Opens in Chatham with Curated Goods for Home and Self Care

Marton & Davis, is a new thoughtfully curated home and lifestyle boutique has just opened on Main Street in Chatham, pulling on its founders’ elevated taste, love of storytelling, and a desire to promote bespoke craftsmanship.

Co-founded by Ruby Press publicist and former fashion editor Melissa Davis and real estate attorney Sherri Marton, the shop opened June 26 in the storefront once occupied by Brown’s Shoe Emporium. “We didn’t take this on because we were looking for a side hustle,” Davis says. “It was something we’ve both always wanted to do.” Their vision for Marton & Davis centers around beautiful, useful, often exclusive home goods, gifts, and grown-up confections

The name Marton & Davis sounds like a venerable label, and that’s no accident. “I keep having to correct people—it’s spelled with an ‘o,’” Davis laughs. “But I love how it sounds, and I love how it looks. It has a little European gravitas to it.” The elegance is intentional, but the founders say their mission is grounded in community and connection.

Photo by Mendy Waits.

Before opening Marton & Davis, Davis had cut her teeth designing and running the Mercantile at the Vanderpoel House, a charming gift shop she created during her time on the board of the Columbia County Historical Society. When that project ended she says she was surprised how much she missed both curating the shop and interacting with customers.

Davis’s vision for a permanent retail space didn’t wane. When Marton—another former board member—suggested they go into business together, the idea quickly evolved into a plan. “We both sat down and said, ‘What’s your dream?’” Davis recalls. “And we both said, ‘To open a store on Main Street in Chatham.’ So, that was it.”

The shop came together quickly. After securing the lease this spring, they transformed the space in a matter of weeks, working around the quirks of the narrow layout and even installing French doors to connect their space to a neighboring boutique, Still Life. They plan to open those doors for shared events and happenings.

Marton & Davis features an evolving inventory of home goods, bath and body products, garden accessories, vintage and antique items, and a robust selection of beautifully packaged sweets. “I’m really proud of our Marton & Davis Sweets,” Davis says of the Swedish candy line created especially for the store. “They’re packaged in our own branding, and the idea is to make grown-up candy that’s also giftable.”

Photo by Mendy Waits.

There’s also Kinrove, a perfume line born out of a gift from Christina DiBernardo who’s now launching a local, small-batch brand. “A friend made me this fragrance for my birthday,” Davis says. “Every time I wore it, people would ask what it was. So when she started the line, we worked it out so Marton & Davis would be the exclusive retailer for at least the first six months.” The shop will also carry other exclusive  items,including hand-calligraphed gift tags from Connecticut artist Melissa Gamwell and a rotating selection of antique ironstone and rare books.

Though neither Davis nor Marton comes from a traditional retail background, they bring decades of experience in branding, aesthetics, and business acumen to the venture. “In a way, I’ve been training for this my whole life,” Davis says. “As a fashion editor and publicist, I’ve spent years helping other people with their retail presence. Now I get to do it my way.”

Photo by Mendy Waits.

That background is evident in the store’s layout and visual storytelling. Every shelf feels considered, and the space is as much about triggering emotion as it is about merchandise. “We want people to come in and feel inspired,” Davis says. “Whether they leave with a bar of chocolate or a full bag of finds, we want them to feel like they discovered something here.”

Marton & Davis is now open at 33 Main Street in Chatham, NY. Keep an eye out for seasonal collections, collaborative events with other local businesses, and even more exclusive product lines to come.