Driving down Post Road East recently, you’ve probably noticed Arete, a quality retailer that deserves some major attention. Arete, meaning ‘excellence of any kind’ has popped up next to fashion forward WEST, and is downtown’s latest must-see spot.
The shop has many collections. Nosy Be is a collection of products designed in France that epitomize the joy of an “Island Lifestyle.”, Anaka is a collection of beautiful smocked girl’s dresses, RobinZoe is a collection of Wicker and Raffia Baskets, Bags, Clutches and Hats, Opus1 is fine quality Linen and Home Decor, Bobums Beach Microfiber Towels, and Saddler is hand-crafted leather belts. Many of the products are designed and created directly from Madagascar. When speaking to the owner Eugene Havemann about his store’s mission, he states “We want to position ourselves as a niche market brand, that has great products to enhance our client’s lifestyle.”
Arete is clearly a company that cares about its customers, but also how it procures its products. By supporting Arete, customers empower the women that craft their products. These women artists from around the globe needed an opportunity to share their products, and Arete was born.
Eugene decided on Arete’s first retail location in Westport because the town fit the brand’s profile. In his own words, “Our products are designed for people that have an appreciation of quality. Leifer Properties was easy to partner with because of the condition of their retail locations. You can just see when a landlord really cares about the properties they own. As a tenant, it is vital to have a store that compliments your brand.”
Stop in to welcome Eugene and meet the beautiful Arete designs! You will also see their presence at the upcoming Downtown Merchant’s Association ‘Fashionably Westport’ event in May. In between, please follow them on facebook @Arete-Retail and instagram @Arete_Retail.
