FROM LOCAL ARTISTRY TO GLOBAL TREASURES - A Little Something goes beyond gifting to make shopping a breeze
09/13/2024 04:43PM ● By MARIE EDINGER
Since 2010, A Little Something, a gift and clothing boutique, has been livening up Shelburne. Most of the products they sell are from small companies or independent designers. “I’m always reminded of how many talented people there are in the world,” says Deidre Senior, the owner.
“Often I’m looking at something, and I think, ‘Oh my gosh, I know somebody is going to love this.’ It might feel a bit extra than I would choose,” Deidre says with a laugh, “but you’ve seen women who are amazing dressers and accessorizers. They have a cool style and look confident in their skin. I want that person to know they can be our customer. They can shop here for themselves as well as for friends and family.”
Dierdre Senior, owner of A Little Something
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HER FRIENDS
Deidre says the whole business started thanks to the encouragement of friends. She had been focusing mainly on raising her two children and working part-time. But one day, her friends mentioned a space that was a jewelry store was for sale.
“Oh, that’s nice,” Deidre recalled responding. Her friends told her they thought she should buy the place. “And I’m like, ‘What?’” she says, laughing. But she soon realized that the area could use a gift shop, and she was looking for a job that provided flexibility and creativity, so she went for it.
A labradorite and sterling necklace
SMALL BUSINESSES KEEP INVENTORY FRESH
First, Deidre wanted to dramatically expand
the inventory to include not only gifts and
jewelry. She brought in accessories like purses
and scarves. Then, her customers suggested she
begin offering greeting cards, and the shop now
offers a complimentary card with the purchase
of five cards. In the last few years, Deidre has
added clothing. The majority of the places she
sources from are small businesses, and now
there’s “A Little Something” for everyone.
“It’s been really gratifying because there’s always something new out there,” Deidre says. “And that’s also been tremendous for our customers,” Deidre explains. “A lot of our pieces are unique to the area. You’re not going to find anybody carrying the exact same item.”
The boutique does carry classic pieces. But, Deidre clarifies, most designers she works with are artists who go through a creative journey; they might make one thing consistently, then decide one day to stop, and suddenly, that item simply isn’t available anymore.
“And that’s actually pretty great because it keeps our merchandise and offerings fresh,” Deidre says.
Velvet pumpkins, and golden birds are all fun discoveries at the shop
A GLOBAL TREASURE HUNT
She’s also constantly doing what she calls “retail reconnaissance”—traveling across the United States and even the world to meet with designers. Treks to India, Nicaragua, Morocco, Mexico, and across the US have yielded unique products for her customers.
“I was down in South Carolina last spring and discovered this wonderful little family- owned business that makes beautiful soaps, candles, and lotions. I’m looking at them right now—absolutely beautiful things!”
That example also explains one of the benefits of working with small companies and independent designers. Large companies often require minimums for orders, but small businesses don’t demand the same thresholds. This lets her experiment a bit more, too, buying up funky and distinctive pieces without the risk of costly errors.
Items made in-house include this peridot, pearl, and pink quartz necklace and earrings.
KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR THE UNIQUE
Deidre keeps her eyes peeled for things that stick out to her. She’s in tune with fashion and gift trends. But she also recognizes that most of her customers are after something unique, not an item that would be found at a department store or online.
Deidre loves helping people show their unique personality and style. She wants to inspire people and help them feel good in their own bodies. The shop not only carries a full range of sizes in clothing but has also had tremendous success carrying pieces that are one size fits most or have easy sizing that makes it easy to gift clothing without worrying about the exact size needed.
“There’s so many talented people in the world. And it’s great that we can bring a little bit of that here to Shelburne,” Deidre says.
Multicolor beaded necklaces, chunky stretch bracelets, and Mexican wall hangings are among the diverse items sold in the store.
JEWELRY SALES BENEFIT HOWARD CENTER, A LOCAL NONPROFIT
A Little Something makes its own jewelry, too. Through the purchase of a local jewelry business whose owner had passed away and the hire of a professional jewelry designer, the shop discovered a way to provide beautiful jewelry and support Howard Center, a local nonprofit that provides mental health and substance abuse services and supports develop- mental needs. Some of the people who create that jewelry were brought on directly from the Howard Center through Project Hire. Deidre says she loves providing that creative outlet and a job to folks who may otherwise have difficulty securing meaningful employment.
“And the work they do here is really important. There’s so much that goes into running a small business. There’s always so much to do. And so having these folks here, being part of our team, I think is important. These folks belong in the world—and they belong here with us. We’re really happy we can do this.”
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
Deidre says it isn’t just the merchandise that makes the shop so unique; it’s the staff, too. The boutique’s workforce includes twelve part-time employees, most of whom have been with A Little Something for many years. Some are retired schoolteachers; one woman started working there at age fifteen and has continued working there for over a decade, even as she attended the University of Vermont full-time.
“I’d be lost without their energy, enthusiasm, and excellent customer service,” Deidre said. “They love and appreciate our customers as much as I do and provide so much to what we do at A Little Something.” In addition to free and easy parking, the shop offers complimentary gift wrapping and an easy exchange process.
14TH ANNIVERSARY PROMOTIONS
For fall and the holiday season, Deidre is excited to continue the tradition of being a one-stop shop for folks with a disparate list to fulfill. The shop stocks sweaters, scarves, and winter accessories, plus candles, housewares, and, of course, their handmade jewelry.
As they celebrate fourteen years in business
this October, A Little Something looks
forward to hosting a series of promotions as a way to give back to their customers.
They’ll run their beloved “Beat Black Friday”
promotion in November. This event offers
customers gift cards for use during the month
of December. “It’s one of our customers’
favorite promotions,” Deidre says.
PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE OLSON AND COURTESY OF A LITTLE SOMETHING
