The RuraList: 6 Places We Like To Spend Our Money
If we ever find ourselves with a little (or maybe more) pocket change, here are the retailers who might benefit.
Wraps at Purple Plume
I don’t mean to be cavalier about spending money. I consciously go through the “need versus want” equation whenever I’m face to face with something that calls my name in a store or online. But over the years we’ve traveled through the Rural Intelligence region enough to know where the merchandise is almost too tempting to walk away from without a purchase. Here are a few of those places you shouldn’t leave home without some cash or credit.
Berkshire County
Purple Plume
35 Church Street, Lenox, MA
This is the shop around the corner in busy downtown Lenox “where art meets fashion,” and where it’s almost impossible to leave without buying something, whether it's a dress or a pair of earrings. Owner Judie Culver recently celebrated 40 years of supplying a curated selection of clothing and accessories, the kind of wardrobe items you expect to find on the chi-chi women at gallery openings. The store itself is a kind of gallery, with its clothing in graphic prints, colorful shoes and wraps, as well as fun gifts and cards…and lots of purple, because that’s Culver’s favorite color.
Columbia County
Upstate Rug Supply
587 Warren Street, Hudson, NY
In 2016, Joanna Mahserdjian decided to carve out a niche for rugs of true antiquity and authentic provenance with Upstate Rug Supply. Mahserdjian specializes in hand-loomed Persian and Caucasian rugs, which includes pieces from present-day Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey. You can browse the selection of over 300 rugs online, but there’s nothing like touching the various collections of antique rugs to envision them in your home.
Rodgers Book Barn
467 Rodman Road, Hillsdale, NY
There are used bookstores, and there is Rodgers Book Barn, a secret to some and a legend to others (like E.L. Doctorow, who apparently says “The Book Barn is a national treasure.”). Owner Maureen Rodgers has been meticulously curating the barn for nearly 50 years. While it’s packed to the gills with used books and records in great condition, there is more method to the madness than one would assume at first glance. Prices are low and the inventory is deep. Most importantly, Rodgers is a lovely resource to talk books with and you’re more than welcome to hang out, read and relax with a cup of free tea. This is a truly special, one-of-a-kind place, and finding your way to it, through the forest, up hill and down dale, makes it even more fun a discovery.
Dutchess County
Teller Hill creates eco-friendly and beautiful dog accessories made in the RI region. Jane Ertman (the mom) and Tory Kane (the daughter), hand sew dog collars, leashes, bandanas, bow ties and corsages using vintage fabrics, and reusable hardware. Under the whimsical collar fabric is hemp webbing. “We realized how much plastic the normal collars put out into the world,” says Kane. “We started to look for alternatives, because dog safety is important, and the webbing has to be strong enough. We settled on hemp, which is a bit more expensive, but we think it’s worth it in terms of environmental friendliness." These are dog accessories that do good while your dog looks good. And by extension, so do you. Available on its website, Etsy, and at craft fairs.
Zephyr
28 East Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY
Caitlin Millard is the designer behind the Rhinebeck dress line and clothing shop Zephyr, which focuses on bias-cut garments. “I find that these pieces are uniquely flattering,” says Millard. “They give a silhouette that is fitted without being skin-tight. They give you a shape but look effortless and without showing things you maybe don’t want to show.” We can get behind that. Zephry’s own collection, primarily dresses with some jumpsuits and sweaters, are made of creamy silk charmeuse as well as linen, cotton, and occasionally wool. Millard describes her aesthetic as being romantic and ehterial, but not hippie-ish. Just, well, pretty.
Litchfield County
The Wish House
413 Sharon Goshen Turnpike/Route 128, West Cornwall, CT
You’ve got to cross the famed Cornwall Covered Bridge before you get to Bianka Griggs’s bright and fanciful shop. For 25 years she’s been filling it with a delightful collection of gifty items, clothing, home accents, books, jewelry, and other items you probably haven’t seen anywhere else. Her stylish eye and merchandising prowess make this a place where you kind of want to take everything home with you. Griggs also hosts book signings by Connecticut authors and runs the Souterrain Gallery downstairs.
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