An exciting new retail concept is making its debut in Montclair just in time for the holiday shopping season. SevenSouth Studio + Market, located at 7 South Fullerton, in the former home of East Side Mags, is a collaborative studio and market space for creatives. SevenSouth will offer a variety of lifestyle products from a rotation of local brands, artists, and independent designers including salt + umber, SaltAir{e} Collective, and Floramoon Florals. Read on to learn more about SevenSouth Studio + Market, the scoop on some of the brands set to be featured, and the story behind the owner.
The Concept
This unique retail concept was imagined by salt + umber Founder, Susie Bergquist. salt + umber is a New Jersey-based sustainable and handcrafted footwear and accessories collection made for the eco-conscious consumer. “After working from home for the last few years I was craving a space to escape to, a place I could design and be creative in without the distractions that come with working out of your home,” says Bergquist.
“I also realized how much I missed IRL interaction during the pandemic and wanted to be able to meet with my customers in person, offering a showroom type of environment in a more permanent location than a traditional trade show,” she continues.
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“I had been looking for an office space for a couple of months, and when the location became available I jumped on the opportunity to test the waters in a creative community like Montclair. Part of salt + umber’s mission is to cultivate a community of like-minded people and brands to collaborate with because creativity loves company. Therefore we will have a rotation of sustainable brands showcasing throughout our time at SevenSouth, and plan to host community events with other local businesses.”
What Brands to Expect
Salt + umber is a handcrafted footwear and accessories collection that uses small-batch, sustainable and ethical practices. The items in the collection are all inspired by the colors and textures of nature and are designed with the planet in mind. salt + umber is dedicated to supporting female entrepreneurship, fair trade, and local artists.
Salt Air{e} Collective, is a New Jersey-based brand featuring apparel, home, and lifestyle goods inspired by the ocean. Started by NJ native Jennifer Caramma, this brand offers everything from gorgeous hand-dyed kimonos, loungewear sets, to throw pillows and luxe beach blankets for anyone craving an endless summer. Shoppers will find an eclectic mix of new and vintage products with a blend of colors and patterns inspired by nature. Each item is hand-dyed using an artisanal process of dyeing, making each piece a rare treasure, just like a seashell one may find at the beach.
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Flora Moon Flowers specializes in wedding and event floral design. Owner Lauren Herlihy custom designs each arrangement with careful attention to detail. She grew up spending many hours in the garden with her mother, who taught her the basics of creating arrangements with the flowers they grew. Lauren was captivated by the idea of creating beauty with things from nature and was inspired to one day own her own floral design company. Her free spirit is reflected in the wild, organic, and magical arrangements that she creates.
More Than Just Retail
In addition to the retail concept, we learned that SevenSouth plans to host a series of workshops and events. Shoppers can look forward to “sip and shop” events, floral design workshops, and a curated selection of handcrafted accessories and gifts. Details on the events are forthcoming. The soft opening of the space is scheduled for Saturday, November 20th with additional details and store hours to be announced.
Follow along on Instagram for more details at @sevensouthstudiomarket.
