Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
You're IT Gift shop at the Greenwich Historical Society!
Four questions with Barbara Johann, Museum Store Manager of the Gift shop at the Greenwich Historical Society.
Why did you start your business?
The Greenwich Historical Society is celebrating its 90th year, and we have had a small retail operation for 25 years here on the Bush-Holley House site in Cos Cob. The new expanded Museum Store opened October 2018, upon completion of our new award-winning reimagined campus, in the building of the former Toby’s Tavern in what was known as the Cos Cob “Hub”, a busy area in Cos Cob harbor and home to the Cos Cob art colony. Our store reflects our local history in many ways!
What is your best-selling product/service?
Our merchandise includes gifts and many items related to Greenwich, our site, and history. We also sell special items related to current Exhibitions (now a lot on Impressionism, Landscape, Garden). Our gifts, books, mugs, cards from local artists, and children’s sections are particularly popular.
How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?
We are about celebrating all things local! Currently, we feature 12 local vendors: Beelightful, Julie Dibase, Onion Hill, Isle Gordon, Visit Greenwich, CT (Liz Norfleet), Sugar Maple Farm, author Missy Wolfe (among others!), Pomeline Jewelry. Between contemporary local artisans and our focus on Greenwich history, we really cover all things “local”! In addition, our Tavern Garden Markets, held in our lobby and gardens, expands our reach to many other local producers and artisans every other Wednesday. We like to keep new, seasonal products featured all throughout the year, and highlighting local vendors is always a top priority.
Like our town history, our business is constantly growing and evolving. We know people in Greenwich like to support small businesses, and we appreciate their support of cultural institutions and non-profits, especially. We aim to offer unique items not found in other stores at an accessible price point, and with perks such as easy parking, beautiful gift wrapping at no additional charge. We especially believe that offering shoppers the experience of coming to a peaceful museum setting, with our gardens and grounds is an added benefit to making shopping here particularly rewarding.
Barbara Johann and the Gift shop at the Greenwich Historical Society are nominating Habitat Greenwich in Cos Cob!
the gift shop at the Greenwich Historical Society is located at 47 Strickland Road in Cos Cob. Visit the gift shop at the Greenwich Historical Society online here, or give them a call at 203-869-6899!
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!