New Store Brings Hand-Made American Gifts To Rye Brook

RYE BROOK, N.Y. -- The newly opened Domestic Dry Goods Company in the Rye Ridge Shopping Center fulfills a lifelong dream for owner Erin Hinchey, and fills a need that she sees for quality, hand-crafted American gifts and products in Westchester.

Erin Hinchey opened Domestic Dry Goods Company in the Rye Ridge Shopping Center last week.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Domestic Dry Goods features a number of hand-crafted, American-made gifts and decorations that can't be found in many stores in Westchester.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

These candles made from repurposed wine bottles are already flying off the shelf at Domestic Dry Goods Company in Rye Brook.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

The Rye Brook store sells a number of unique, hand-stitched pillows.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Many items such as these lampshades are made to order, and can be customized to fit the customer's needs.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Casey Donahue

09/04/2013 5:00 a.m.

“I always wanted to open my own store. It’s been my passion. I basically shop for a living,” said Hinchey, who has been the leasing agent for the shopping center for seven years. In that capacity she has scouted locations and helped businesses open in the shopping center. “I was in a unique position where I knew exactly where the store needed to go. It was something I had to do.”

Nearly all of the products in the boutique are hand-made by American artists and independent vendors. Rather than selling mass-produced merchandise, the designs on the store's pillows, wall art, accessories and throw rugs are one-of-a-kind, such as a knife holder crafted from wood from the organ of an old church in Philadelphia.

"You won't find that anywhere else," Hinchey said.

“Everything is made to order for us. You can tell us the fabrics you want to use, the size, the customer can change and adjust almost everything."

Some of the biggest sellers since the store opened last week have been candles made from repurposed wine bottles. The candles give off a wine scent, use wax made from soy, which Hinchey said is more environmentally friendly than traditional peraffin wax candles. Other candles have poppy seeds in their bases, which can be planted after the candles have been burned.

"Most of our products are very environmentally sound," she said. “I think a big issue with a lot of imported goods is that they’re constantly being recalled for safety and health reasons. You don’t have to worry about that with my products.”

Selling merchandise from independent American vendors not only ensures higher quality, Hinchey said, but also makes the homes they go to more unique.

“A couple things that you bring into your house can really make that house. Putting new throw pillows in your den is almost like a mini-renovation. It changes the look, it ties the room together, it makes it pop," she said. “One dishtowel can change the whole look of your kitchen. And we do have cool dishtowels.”

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