Business & Tech

Design, Gifts Galore at Decor and More

The store on High Street remains well-rooted despite a poor economy.

There's no doubt that small businesses have seen changes due to the down economy in recent years.  

But one Westwood store, though feeling strained from the recession, is still pushing forward and remains hopeful that things will improve.

"The past two years have been tough, but we're still here," said Melissa Lucier, manager and owner of on High Street in Westwood. "This spring into the summer, we had a better July than last year, which I'm shocked by. I'm very optimistic, because I think things have picked up."

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Lucier, who is celebrating the store's 22nd year in business this month, said one thing that helps is having a core group of customers who have been returning for the last two decades on a near-weekly basis. But the store's location has also helped bring in more foot traffic for those doing business in the plaza on High Street. 

"We have our core group of customers that I see once a week, but it's nice being nestled in between the and Bank of America," she said.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

A Dedham native and now Franklin resident, Lucier runs Decor and More with her mother, Candace Haase. Both hold degrees in interior design, which is a primary function of the store: providing consultations, upholstery work, custom furniture and installation services to customers. The store boasts an abundant wallpaper selection as well. 

Moreover, Lucier's stepfather lends a hand with actually installing wall paper and carpentry at customer's homes. 

"It's a true working family business," Lucier said, adding that her role is more along the lines of management, running things from behind her counter, or as her customers refer to it, "the perch". 

But aside from interior design, Decor and More also functions as a retail shop, selling everything from Vera Bradley hand bags to Mariposa gift items, and even painted wine and beer glasses. 

"We do a little bit of everything - greeting cards, jewelry, etc.," Lucier said. "We've always done that, but now more and more. Since we have the store front, we, little by little, have been doing more gift things."

The hand bags, she said, are a top seller. 

"That line Vera Braldey is just one of those lines people buy," Lucier said. "And Mariposa, they do metal work. There's a big following for it, and people collect it."

She added, "But I change things all the time. Most of my customers come in every couple of days and just browse around. I move things around; things are always changing."

Items in the store are ones Lucier obtains from various vendor representatives, as well as from gift shows in New York and Atlanta that she attends yearly. But occaisonlly a Decor and More patron will find an item with a more home-grown feel to it.

"I try to support local artists as much as I can," Lucier said. 

As an example, she is selling jewelry created by one Westwood resident, as well as a historical map of Westwood drawn by resident Edward McCarthy.

In terms of competition, Lucier said the development of Legacy Place in Dedham took a bite into her business, though not a detrimental one.

And she nodded to neighboring businesses like and , which recently closed after three years of business, saying they actually complemented one another.

"I though it was a good thing," she said. "I'm sad that (Chill) closed."

And despite the sour economic climate, the store has been able to maintain steady business.

"There hasn't been that extra cushion, but we all take a pay check and everything's paid for," Lucier said. "I'd be lying if I said it hasn't affected things. I think it's affected all of us."

Still, it hasn't dampened her spirits. Far from it - the organic rhythm of the store's merchandise is always moving about, and Lucier plans on keeping that as is.

"I'm always looking for something new and exciting," she said.

Decor and More is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more on what the store has to offer, visit decorandmorewestwood.com.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here