Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica and Anne DeStefano.
Jessica and Anne, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As an English Major in college and after graduation, Jessica gained her retail experience at the House of the Seven Gables Museum in Salem. Anne has always loved making and designing hand-crafted items. In 2013, after a trip to London, we were inspired to have our own book and gift shop.
We opened The Marble Faun Books & Gifts in the summer of 2013, in historic Salem, Massachusetts, with a vision for an eclectic shop, celebrating our love of literature, vintage and Victorian items as well as the history and culture of our unique region.
We sell our favorite things, and strive to be exclusive by designing and crafting many of our items, including jewelry, bookmarks, stationery sets, and greeting cards. The variety of books we offer has been carefully selected, including classics, humor, history, and mysteries. We love antique books of our favorite classics and our collection is always changing. Many of our items are related to historic Salem, Massachusetts, as well as local authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne and his contemporary Edgar Allan Poe. We also love all things Jane Austen, and offer many custom “Austen” items.
We started out on in a small location and gained a following. In the past four years we have grown and needed a bigger space. We will be opening our new location on Pickering Wharf in Salem, doors down from the Salem Custom House and the historic waterfront at 102 Wharf Street.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, we have made some mistakes, but have learned from them. It is not easy to start your own business, but we have a passion and love for what we do.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We sell our favorite things, and strive to be exclusive by designing and crafting many of our items, including jewelry, bookmarks, stationery sets, and greeting cards. Our selection of books is handpicked. We strive to be different and carry many items that are unique to our shop. Literature is our inspiration for new items. Guests love our gift shop because we are different from other shops in Salem.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
We would love to be in Boston. The hardest thing about starting a new business is the enormous expense of leasing/renting a space. Boston should designate locations where new businesses can start off without the outrageous cost of leasing/renting. We have been told so many times by our guests that we should have a shop in Boston. If we could afford the rent, maybe someday.
Contact Info:
- Address: 102 Wharf Street
- Website: themarblefaunbooksandgifts.com
- Phone: 978.594.0110
- Email: themarblefaunbooksandgifts@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Marble-Faun-Books-Gifts-507463665993907/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-marble-faun-books-and-gifts-salem
Image Credit:
Jessica DeStefano
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