Colourful Casa Ziki Brings Vibrant Dwelling Decor and Native Wares to Woodstock

The village of Woodstock is synonymous with the humanities. Though the retailers and eating places which have opened lately are much less targeted on a tie-dye “Voodoo Chile” vibe, their aesthetic and choices are nonetheless aligned with the bohemian artist colonies that existed lengthy earlier than the festival-that-didn’t-happen-here—with artisans held in excessive regard.

Dwelling decor and present store Casa Ziki is one in every of these artist-forward, post-pandemic additions to the city’s principal drag, providing statement-piece housewares and equipment, each domestically handmade and globally sourced. A salmon-colored portico frames a royal blue door that beckons passerby to enter the Mill Hill Highway location.

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“I believe folks come to Woodstock to buy as a result of they need one thing distinctive so as to add to their houses, like artwork prints, handmade mugs, and objects that help artists,” says Sylvana Kiss-Zinshtein, store proprietor and purchaser. “When folks stroll in right here, they don’t count on to see what they see, which is a very enjoyable, colourful, eclectic mixture of objects and artwork.”

The boutique gives a variety of wares, like natural kitchen textiles; one-of-a-kind ceramics—from mugs, to bongs, to Furby sculptures; throw blankets and pillows; purses and sun shades; and extra, all in vibrant hues that present a kaleidoscopic sensory expertise for buyers. In addition to the occasional Bowie or Marley vacation decoration, Kiss shies away from Woodstock kitsch.

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As for native artwork, you’ll discover work, pictures, and sculpted works by a rotating cadre of artists, together with the likes of Justin Love, Madelyn Goodman, and Invoice Patrick amongst makers of assorted media who’ve been featured. “We wish to collab with native artists and show their works alongside one large wall, rotating the featured artist each 4 to 6 months,” Kiss says. “I’d like to attach extra with artists and artisans for occasions, too. For instance, we did an artwork opening for photographer Invoice Patrick and just lately began internet hosting clothes pop-ups.”

Casa Ziki began as a Brooklyn-based model with its first store opened in 2019; Kiss introduced the second location to Woodstock two years later, on the website of the previous artwork provide retailer on Mill Hill Highway. “I used to be dwelling in Brooklyn, however spent a whole lot of time in Woodstock with household in the course of the pandemic and fell in love with the city and the Hudson Valley,” she says. “So, in 2021, I made a decision to open a second retailer up right here proper after I had a child. I do know that’s a loopy time to do it, however I discovered an incredible house and felt like I needed to take the possibility.”

This take-the-leap mindset was a driving pressure behind the unique retailer, as nicely. “I studied finance and have a enterprise background—I’ve at all times had an entrepreneurial spirit,” she explains. “I owned a restaurant in Brooklyn for some time, then realized I by no means wished to do this, so I ended up working at a good friend’s idea retailer. I additionally owned a jewellery model, which taught me lots about shopping for. Someday I used to be strolling down the block and located a constructing that had an area opening; I made a decision to take it on a whim. We began as a pop-up inside the constructing proprietor’s retail store, and rapidly grew into the house as our personal.”

The identify, Casa Ziki, is derived from the Spanish phrase for residence, casa, and a mix of Kiss’s and her husband’s, Sasha Zinshtein, final names. Zinshtein, who works on Wall Road, is her enterprise accomplice in each places, as nicely.

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A self-proclaimed shopaholic, Kiss has used Casa Ziki to channel her ability for locating distinctive, high quality items and scratch that purchasing itch. “I like shopping for issues so I wanted to make some cash out of this habit,” she says with amusing. However her bigger purpose has been to create an area that evokes emotions of shock and delight.

“I’m at all times on the hunt for brand new and distinctive issues which might be additionally colourful and vibrant,” she says. “I like when folks stroll in and are wowed; that’s why we frequently rotate merchandise and artists, so that individuals can revisit however at all times discover one thing new.”

This consists of pop-ups with artisans who’ve a connection to the area. This month, you’ll discover a pop-up by clothes model RLC. “I used to be put in contact with the founder, Rachel, by way of a good friend, and she or he appeared like an ideal match,” Kiss says. “The superb factor about RLC is the craftsmanship—she’s primarily based in, and designs in, the Hudson Valley, however supplies are made in Italy and France in small batches.” Consumers can browse seasonal girls’s garments and equipment in pure materials, together with sweaters, gloves, hats, and knits at Casa Ziki by way of the autumn.

“It’s thrilling for us to work with artists and we hope to do extra to make it simply as thrilling for the group,” Kiss says. “It’s heartwarming to me to see folks reacting with pleasure after they go to—I like to see that. I need you to be wowed.”

Location Particulars

Casa Ziki

35 Mill Hill Highway, Woodstock Woodstock

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