We were approached by first time business owners Karen Walsh-Emma & her husband Joseph Emma, who were inspired by the Pittston revitalization efforts, to assist them with creating a unique retail environment.  They chose a Main Street corner location in a newly renovated historic building, requiring adherence to construction standards established by the building owner.

We maintained an open retail floor plan with a substantial, carefully placed, multi-functioning transaction station as its focal point, with the business’s logo as its centerpiece.  This station was designed to be efficient when manned by one worker, yet ample enough to accommodate several staff members.  It houses towering display shelves over the beverage service area, a point of sale counter, and giftwrapping area.  An important component was to allow the customer to be a part of the experience and make visible the tea preparation process.  It was our design intent to accomplish all this while concealing the utilitarian functions and maintaining the staff ‘s clear view of the entire store.  

Taking advantage of the downtown presence, customers may sit and take in the activity of the Main Street through the floor to ceiling windows, from comfortable upholstered chairs, resting beverages on stained wooden electrical spool “tables.”  We further enhanced this industrial aesthetic with wire light pendants hanging overhead from corrugated metal ceilings.

We developed a floor plan creating an easy to navigate space that invites its customers to meander comfortably revealing its carefully chosen merchandise. We partnered with the store owners in selecting new and repurposed display fixtures, which gave the space an organized and eclectic feel.

As the final layer to this multifaceted retail space, we worked along side Karen & Joe to prepare the store for opening by assisting with the merchandising aspect.  We accomplished this by displaying products using elements of design such as balance, texture, rhythm, and scale.  Upon completion, this formerly empty retail storefront was transformed into a cozy and welcoming space that this family envisioned.