This month, Home Accents Today’s Hot Metro Markets series shines a spotlight on the coastal portion of New England that stretches along the I-95 corridor from Boston to Portland, Maine. This is an area that defies conventional thinking about the Northeast — too cold, too expensive, to name a couple — driven in large part by the popularity of this area among retirees and those who are drawn to its active food scene. In fact, both Portland and Boston have made multiple “best places to live” lists in recent years. We spoke with home décor retailers in the area about what makes this area a special place to live and do business.
Fitz & Bennett Home opened its doors in the historic Old Port of Portland in October 2017. They believe in filling your home with a mix of new and old, steals and splurges, and most importantly what you love. Owner Lauren Siviski is a Maine transplant of about 13 years who is originally from coastal Connecticut. The shop name is a nod to Lauren’s two late grandmothers, Joan Fitzgerald and Muriel Bennett.
HAT: Portland has been named a Best Place to Live on the East Coast by more than one publication. As a longtime resident, what is it about Portland that makes it so desirable?
Siviski: Portland has so many perks, it’s not a surprise that we’ve been on these lists lately. It sort of feels like the secret is out. I always say we are so lucky to live in a place where you can be at the beach in five minutes, the lake in 25, and the mountains in 45. It just doesn’t get much better than that. Access to the outdoors is huge, and people take advantage of what nature has to offer here 365 days of the year, no matter how cold it gets. The city is small enough, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming, yet spread out enough so that you always feel like there’s a new spot to explore. “Buy local” runs deep here. There are so many small mom-and-pop shops, which makes the city feel really unique. The pace is relaxed, nothing feels too stuffy, and the people are nice!
HAT: Portland has also been cited for its hot food scene. As a home décor store, do you play off that in any way?
Siviski: We are beyond spoiled here as far as the food scene goes. There are so many James Beard Award winners and nominees, you would have a hard time finding a bad meal. We stock cookbooks from some of our favorite local restaurants, like Eventide Oyster Co., The Standard Baking Co., and The Lost Kitchen. A lot of people coming through have either eaten at those places or would like to, so they are eager to recreate that when they get home. Wrap the cookbook in a locally made tea towel and you will have the perfect gift. We also carry local chocolate from various vendors. Everyone loves a sweet treat when they’re shopping, bonus points if it’s local!
HAT: According to our research, Portland attracts a lot of retirees. Do you cater to this demographic in any specific way? What about with price points – do you feel you can offer higher-ticket items in an area where people have a higher disposable income than average?
I definitely make sure to stock the store with products that complement each other at a mix of high and low price points, but I feel like everyone loves a deal. This might be why we have so many second-hand and vintage shops in town, too. I strive for my shop to be a place where, no matter what your budget is, you can find something special that you feel good about gifting either to someone else or to yourself. The funny thing about Maine is that sure, there is a chunk of the population with a higher disposable income, but just because they have that does not mean they want to spend it. I find that New Englanders are cautious with their money. They want to know where something comes from, how it’s made, and they want to know that it will last, and be worth the money. It’s almost like you have to earn their trust before they invest. So, we try to make sure our products are sourced and produced ethically, and that we are offering unique items that you can’t find everywhere else.
See also:
Want to set up shop in New England? Here are 5 special features about the Boston-to-Portland corridor
Portland’s Home Remedies is just what the doctor ordered for home décor