Downtown Greene

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by: Jessica Lewis

The streets of downtown Greene are lined with quaint businesses with a unique flair. While trying to compete with the big box retailers in Norwich and Binghamton, business owners in downtown Greene are trying to offer customers something they can’t get elsewhere.

Located on Genesee Street in the heart of downtown, Deb Eggleston of The Sewing Room is trying to offer her customers convenience and service for which they don’t have to travel. For 20 years, Eggleston had been offering her sewing services from her home, but as word of mouth spread, the operation became too big for a home business.

The Sewing Room has been open since August, and Eggleston is trying to help customers by offering them alteration services, clothing repairs, a selection of locally made gifts and access to a dry cleaner. “I take the dry cleaning to Arrow Laundry in Norwich. It gives people in Greene the opportunity to drop off their dry cleaning with out having to drive 30 miles,” Eggleston said. So far, Eggleston said the business has been doing well. “We’re getting people from Greene and the surrounding areas,” Eggleston said. In addition, the shop does all the alterations for the bridal shop located next door.

In the future, Eggleston may give sewing lessons. She has also created an area for local sewers to showcase their work. Anyone interested can call 656-7411.

Another business that is attempting to give the customers something special is Polka-Dots and Moonbeams. After a grand re-opening celebration on Jan. 12, Polka-Dots and Moonbeams is now offering an even larger array of items in a co-operative style environment. Packed into the one downtown location, Polka-Dots and Moonbeams combines five different business into one location.

Tom Nixon, owner of Polka-Dots and Moonbeams, offers an array of upholstery, custom made curtains and draperies and paintings in addition to other gift boutique type items. Nixon said Polka-Dots and Moonbeams started allowing other businesses to come in to the shop, and the change has had a positive impact on the business.

“With so many things located here, there is a lot more interest,” Nixon said. “We’re all in this together. It’s a many faceted business.”

Nixon explained that the 2006 floods had a big effect on downtown Greene. “There was a complete loss of the local consumer,” Nixon said. After the floods, attracting new people to the downtown area was a challenge. “People get used to seeing the same old thing and don’t even notice it anymore,” Nixon said. The collaborative approach to the store gave people a lot more to see.

In addition to the original Polka-Dots and Moonbeams selections, the store encompasses Jill’s Book Store, Dave’s Organic Corner, Margaret Rose 4 Season Cafe, and Renee’s Faery Palace.

Each corner of the store offers something different. Jill’s Book Store, owned by former Greene resident Jill Stevens, offers a lot more than books. Stevens offers a eclectic array of new and used books, boutique clothing, organic cosmetics and her own hand-crafted jewelry. In another corner of the store is Renee Guidelli’s Renee’s Faery Palace. Guidelli offers transformational life coaching, and one tool she offers is faery readings. “It’s a transformational tool to let you see the truth and take control,” she said. “There are many different tools, but the goal is for you to discover who you are and where you are going in life.”

Farther back in the store is Dave’s Organic Corner. Dave Taft, a recent addition to the group, has added a selection of organic foods, holistic supplements and personal care items to bring about longevity.

And finally, the Margaret Rose 4 Season Cafe sits in the rear half of the shop. After one year of service, the cafe holds an array of delightful treats. The cafe prides itself on its menu which “focuses on fresh and unusual dishes to intrigue the palate,” according to a pamphlet from the shop. The cafe has hosted some small parties and also caters some area events.

“The shop is like a co-op. Everyone has their own gifts, talents and inspirations. The key is getting a feel for what you do and being a part of what is here,” Guidelli said.

Just a few doors down from the multi-faceted Polka-Dots and Moonbeams, a new beauty salon has opened its doors. Owner Susan Scalici opened the Focus Salon and Wellness Boutique only a few months ago. In addition to traditional hair care services, the salon offers pedicures, natural manicures and facials, with a focus on all natural products. “Our main goal is to provide a relaxing atmosphere and balance in people’s lives,” Scalici said.

Scalici opened the business in October, with skin care specialist Shannon Fallon. Originally from Long Island, Scalici has been in the business for 25 years and decided to open her current business after falling in love with the Village of Greene.

“I feel a lot of people are craving business in their lives,” Scalici said. By helping people to feel good about themselves, Scalici is hoping to help customers inner beauty meet their outer beauty. “If you feel good, you look good,” Scalici said.

While the business has only been open for a few months, Scalici said so far the community has been very supportive. The salon owner said she feels her shop takes a unique approach to the salon industry. “We want to help our clients find solutions to their beauty problems,” Scalici said. To contact the Genesee Street business, call 656-4416.

While Focus Salon is focusing on inner and outer beauty, another new addition to the Greene business scene is focusing on inner health and relaxation. Integrative Bodyworks opened their doors in August, and since then, they have been providing massage and healing sessions and an array of classes that offer peace of mind and relaxation.

Matthew Franco and Free Ryan both graduated from the Finger Lakes School of Massage as Licensed Massage Therapists. The couple offers an array of massage, yoga, tai chi, dance and holistic modalities. According to Ryan, business has been doing well since the shop opened. “People have been most receptive to the massage, but we also have drum circles and cinema night, and those have good reception as well.”

Franco explained that opening his own bodyworks studio has been a dream since he was in massage school. Ryan said the shop coincided with her lifelong passion for healing and helping people recognize their personal power.

Currently Integrative Bodyworks offers an array of massage techniques, including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone and Aroma Therapy, as well as hands on healing sessions such as Reiki and Brennan Healing Science. In addition, classes in Danskinetics a combination of yoga and free form dance and yoga are available.

In addition to being licensed in massage, Matt is also an herbalist, and the shop offers some herbal products, and a wider variety of products and classes will be available in the summer months. For more information about Integrative Bodyworks call 656-4154 or e-mail integrativebodyworks80@gmail.com to sign up for a regular newsletter.

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