If opening a new business during a global pandemic seems like a risky thing to do, then opening a second business during a global pandemic seems downright audacious.
But according to Waterford residents Vana and Ward Lyon, opening their second gift shop in town is a way to continue to meet the ever-evolving needs of a community that has continued to support them.
The Lyons recently opened Rusty’s Dry Goods, an up-scale men’s gift shop, at 307 E. Main Street.
Their first shop, Main Street Mercantile, opened at 316 E. Main Street in Waterford in September 2020. The boutique gift shop features a curated assortment of home and gift items – all small-batch and made by small American businesses.
The shop carries a variety of home decor items, jewelry, bath products, candles, plants, planters and more. What it lacks, however, is product for men.
After hearing the feedback from customers for over a year, the Lyons made the decision to branch out and open the “brother” store to Main Street Mercantile right across the street from their original shop, according to the news release.
Rusty’s Dry Goods will follow the same carefully curated product guidelines and feature unique items sourced entirely from small American businesses. With a variety of grooming products, accessories, apparel, barware and more, Rusty’s is positioned to be the one-stop- shop for men’s gifting, according to the owners.
“We have had so many men come into Main Street Mercantile and comment how they wished there were more things for them,” said Vana Lyon. “So after a lot of thought and multiple revisions to our business plan, we decided to open a separate space specifically for those who prefer more masculine products.”
Online shopping is currently available at rustysdrygoods.com.
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