Meet Krisy Viola of Nostos Boutique

Today we’d like to introduce you to Krisy Viola.

Krisy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Nostos Boutique was a dream of mine for a long time. I loved collecting Wonder Woman and Batgirl comic books, as well as all things R2D2 and would spend the weekends driving around with my husband to any comic book or collectible shop in the area to see what we could find!

In traveling to different shops, I started to notice that most all of them were very similar and there weren’t a lot of shops that were unique. As a woman who loves comic books, Star Wars and Magic the Gathering, I believed that I could try something a little different and meet the need that I saw for a bright, clean environment where everyone from the most casual to most dedicated fan of pop culture could come and not only find something unique to buy that would put a smile on their face, but would also find a welcoming community where they could fully be themselves!

I decided I wanted to fill my shop with vintage toys from the 70s, 80s and early 90s, as well as stocking some modern toys as well. I also carry vintage comic books and modern graphic novels and modern and original trading cards from Pokemon and Magic the Gathering. I decided on the name Nostos Boutique because “nostos” is a Greek word that means “homecoming” and is where we get the English word “nostalgia” from and I really liked the emotion surrounding that. In a world where there is so much darkness, I wanted to create a space where you could take a moment to go back to those happiest times of your childhood and rediscover the simple joy of that season of life.

It is amazing the emotional response people can have from seeing a toy, book or trading card from their past. Our inventory may have grown since we opened two years ago, and we have rearranged the shop a couple times, and we have started hosting gaming events for Magic the Gathering several nights a week, but at our core we have stayed true to our original vision of bringing everyone who walks through the doors the best of all things pop culture with pieces that remind them of their happiest days and inspire them.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I can’t imagine anyone ever opened a small business without facing some struggles. It is quite a leap to have a big, crazy dream and finally decide to go for it! I have been lucky though and I have a great support system, with friends, family and my awesome husband helping me as much as they could so my dream could be a reality.

When I first opened the shop, I was still working full time as a nanny and that was certainly a struggle working 60+ hours every week, trying to get my shop established while learning just what it took to be a small business owner. But even though I was exhausted, I believe it was worth it! There is something so rewarding about working hard and pouring your heart and soul into something and seeing that turn into something tangible and seeing other people getting excited about something that was just a fantasy for so long.

Nostos Boutique – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Nostos Boutique is “a homecoming of all things pop culture.” I sell vintage toys from the 70s, 80s and early 90s, modern toys, vintage comic books, modern graphic novels, Pokemon and Magic the Gathering trading cards and more!

I am most proud of the community we have built here at Nostos Boutique. People come from all over to shop and play here and everytime someone says they had an enjoyable experience here it makes me so happy. So many people have turned to the world of pop culture, science fiction, fantasy and superheroes to find acceptance in a world where they couldn’t find it anywhere else.

So I feel so proud to be a part of a movement that celebrates allowing people to be themselves and be comfortable with who they are and spend time in a safe space where they can meet like-minded pop culture fans from all different walks of life.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for me has little to do with numbers or finances. I believe my success comes from staying true to the vision of what I want my shop to mean for people and how I want to make an impact in the lives of people who walk through the door. If a person comes into my shop and feels welcome, gets to have a good conversation and share a laugh, even if they don’t make a purchase, I feel like that was a successful interaction.

Opening a small business is so personal and when a person walks into a shop and sees the same person behind the counter every time they come in, eventually it becomes about more than just a sales transaction, I have made some great friends with people who started out as new customers and then became regulars. And that makes me feel like I’ve got something special here.

Contact Info:

• Address: 21 South Main Street Ipswich, MA, 01938
• Phone: 781-606-2611
• Email: nostosboutique@gmail.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/nostosboutique
• Facebook: Facebook.com/nostosboutique
• Twitter: Twitter.com/nostosboutique

Image Credit:
Hope Rinehart, Pete Tschudy

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