Bramhall and Dunn Celebration 11/11/11

November 8, 2011

Dear Friends -

It is with a mixture of anticipation, excitement and gratitude that I am writing to inform you of the conclusion of Bramhall & Dunn at the end of 2011. I have been happily leading this enterprise for the past 28 years, since 1983 when I was 25 years old. I am now eagerly looking forward to the next phases and adventures in my life, whatever they may be.

I have had a great time with Bramhall & Dunn over the years. What started with a focus on all manner of textiles grew to include whatever caught my fancy that reflected my idea of a lifestyle suited to island living. I feel very proud of the beautiful collection of quality merchandise that we assembled and presented in a homelike environment, graced by Wendy Whippleʼs displays, the most beautiful anywhere, on island or off. Iʼve worked with the most steadfast, loyal and delightful colleagues, some for many years, including Wendy for 23! I have met many wonderful, imaginative artists and designers from whom I've purchased creative work. I am especially proud of what I hope you will agree was a warm and welcoming presence on Main Street. More than anything, itʼs been the personal relationships that we all have shared with all of you that has been so rewarding. We all are honored to have been a part of peopleʼs lives for many generations.

None of this would have been possible without you, my incredibly supportive and loyal customers. You have made it fun, rewarding, gratifying. You have become my friends, the storeʼs raison d'être. Your support has meant so much to me. Those of you who make B&D your first stop when you get off the ferry and the last before you board, can't imagine how gratifying that feels. We had customers last weekend, who after driving up from Brooklyn, came to the VH store off the boat, then on to the Edgartown store before heading home to Aquinnah - and all before their poor dog had been let out for a walk!

Some may ask if the difficult economy factored into my decision and I can honestly say that it did not. In fact when times started getting tough in 2008, I saw it as a challenge and we successfully adapted to meet it. Others may wonder if the huge growth in Internet shopping was a factor. Again, it was not. We are proud of the personal attention and lovely environment that we provide our customers and know that they appreciated it as well. This kind of service cannot be duplicated on the Internet. I will make a plea however to all those who value the experience of shopping in a physical store and value vibrant towns to make every effort to support their local merchants. They cannot exist without your business. In my case, I am just ready to move on and pursue the many, many other options and adventures yet to be discovered.

We are having a celebration party and sale starting on 11/11/11 and I hope to see you.

I thank you. Itʼs been a great time.

All the best to you -

With Gratitude -

Emily

Baby it's warm outside!

Welcome to summer everyone! Boy what a difference a year makes :). New this year: 3 Dots tees; Gretchen Scott tunics and dresses; Creme Fraiche shirts; Condition's Apply and yoga/active wear by Inner Waves and Brasil Bazar. Also this year we have expanded our St. James and Hartford lines. Open daily 10am to 6pm

The calm before the storm (we hope!)

This is the last weekend before Memorial Day weekend. The sun is shining and the temperature is warm, what a difference from last year. The store in Edgartown has opened and we have been receiving our spring/summer inventory at breakneck speed. Stop in to say "hello" and enhance your summer wardrobe.

Almost summer!

Almost summer!!
Well here we are at the beginning of May and it is feeling very summerlike. We have a lot of new summer clothes, scarves and new things for the home. We will be opening the Edgartown store on or about May 15th so stop in at 9 Winter St. to say hello!

Is it spring yet?

Weather can be fickle on the island of Martha's Vineyard. It has been unseasonably warm since the end of February. Everyone is saying that the gardens are a good two weeks ahead of schedule and the pollen, well it is highly elevated. We are continuing our winter clothes sale until the end of the month. Spring arrivals have begun to ship with more by the beginning of May. So stop in and say hello. We have been sprucing up just for you!!

Happy Easter

Well here we are on the first of April and celebrating Easter. We are so fortunate to be enjoying some spectacular weater, sunny and warm. It seems the long winter is coming to an end and you can just hear everyone smiling!! To celebrate we are putting out our spring clothing. Come in to see this years Hartford, Victorinox and Eileen Fisher. We also have a huge selection of linen, silk and cotton scarves and shawls. And for the kid in you, our PF Flyers have arrived. So stop in, we are open daily 11 to 5 except on Sunday (we are closed).

Meteorological Spring???

So here we are in March, inventory is finished and it is snowing to beat the band. I heard on some Boston TV news the other morning that the months of March, April and May constitute the meteorological spring. Interesting thought for the hopeful though we on the island know not to expect spring until May. Our sale continues and is enriched to include a 75% off section. Spring arrivals begin to appear by the end of the month and we need to make room. Come in for a visit and check out the savings!

A Beautiful Weekend!

So here we are at President's Day Weekend and it is a beautiful one, sunny and not so cold. It is good to see the streets full and smiling faces. Our sale has expanded to all clothing at 30% off with some exceptions at regular price and some at 50% off!! We have expanded the sale to include selected PF Flyers at 50% off and Il Bisonte handbags at 30% off. Our white sale continues until the end of the month. So stop in for these savings and who knows what else we will put on sale this week. Spring is coming, i am sure of it!!!

President's Day Sale

With the arrival of February comes thoughts of spring or at least the intention of spring. We know that this month may very well bring the coldest temperatures and most snowfall of any month so the end may be in sight but, well just hold on!! February also brings the "Sale" season. We need to clear out inventory and, of course, generate some sales. This week, in anticipation of President's Day Weekend, we enlarge our storewide savings. We continue with our White Sale and our Winter Sale (50% off outerwear); but we have added 30% off all clothing, gloves, scarves and handbags. So for those of you coveting that Il Bisonte handbag, now is your chance. Come in, we are open from 11 am until 5 pm daily, including this sunday due to the holdiday weekend.

The Sale is On!

The days are getting longer, yes they really are, and we need to make room for the spring arrivals so... Our annual White Sale has begun with savings to 30% and includes bed and bath at this time. Downstairs we are offering our Winter sale of outerwear and selected sweaters, shirts and blouses. We have ammended our hours for the duration of the winter so stop in between 11am and 5pm Monday to Saturday. We are closed on Sundays but we will be open on Sunday the 14th of February for President's Day weekend. See you soon!!

Let it snow, let it snow.

So here we are in January and the snow is continuing to fall. We had our firtst white christmas in years. Very exciting! So we are celebrating with an early White Sale, now through, well February. Stop in for a general 20% discount on all bed and bath items with deeper discounts on selected items. Come in and warm up and maybe find a great deal!!!!

The 3/50 Project

Well the holidays are over and here we are in January with the wind, snow and short days. Personally i covet these days when i run home from work, build a fire and wrap myself in a throw and settle in a big chair to read a little further in whatever book i happen to be reading. Some additional food for thought is the 3/50 project. Basically, it is an effort to save local economies by doing the following: first pick 3 independent business in your area and spend $50 each month in these business. Of each $100 spent in these independent stores, $68 returns to the community versus $43 for big chain stores. Interesting, no? So shop local and for more information on this project go to "the350project.net". Happy shopping, and stay healthy and safe.

Happy New Year: Winter Solstice

As I write this blog we arrive at the winter Solstice. The longest night is behind us and we are heading into a season of more light. Ahhhhhh!!!!!!! And here we are on Main St. in Vineyard Haven with a fresh supply of snow, the lights of Christmas and more than the usual number of shoppers on the street. Very festive and very light. We love this time of year because it is so festive and because "old" friends return for a brief time. This year we are lucky to have Julia MacNelley work for us while on break from the Claremont Colleges. Great to hear the stories from "over there" and great to see a friendly, beautiful face. We are grateful and overjoyed this season and we wish you gratitude and happiness in this new year.

Giving Thanks

Here we are on the verge of another holiday season. Time and the seasons just zip by in a blink of the eye. It is appropriate that the season begin with a recognition of our gratitude for our lives. May I suggest making a list of all the things for which you are grateful as this will put you in the mindset of gratitude. When we are grateful we are also present, helpful and happy. Funny how this all works but it does. May I also suggest that this thanksgiving we try 2 new things: first find something locally grown that you may have at your thanksgiving table and secondly find just one thing you could volunteer to do for you community. Pick something that is for just one day to start, i am sure you can find something. This is a great way of thanking your community and supporting those who live there. So start with the gratitude "list" and with this in mind you can maybe move onto that Christmas list. Happy Holidays!!

As the sun journeys to the south

Well here we are at the first of November. Halloween has passed and may i say kudos to the Tisbury Business Association for its "Trick or Treat on Main Street" campaign as it was a huge success and much fun for those of us working yesterday. Thank you!! Since we turned our clocks back an hour last night we may look forward to the sun setting at 4:30 this "evening". Another winter is almost upon us but also coming are Thanksgiving and Christmas/Hanukka. We keep a holiday wish list book at the store so stop in and let your friends know what you REALLY want this year. Our Edgartown store has closed for the season. Thanks for all your support.

Columbus Day Weekend

Well, here we are at the unofficial end of the season. Our season runs from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, which is a holiday here in Massachusetts. We look at this time as "happy kinda sad" time. The busy season is over but then we do get our Island back. The traffic has died down, our friends' happy, smiling faces have reappeared and the air is cool and dry. But then again, our long season has begun and business, is well, sleepy. Of course it is also the season of cashmere wraps, chenille throws and wool scarves. So life is good!

Columbus Day Sale

Stop by next weekend for our annual Columbus Day Annex Sale!! Our annex will be open Sat. and Sun. Stop by and check out the savings on clothing, shoes and assorted items from the store. See you then!!!!!!!

How Time Flies

Wow, how is it possible that we find ourselves here on October 2 with summer but a distant memory? This is my favorite time on the island. For those still willing to chance the waters you will be pleasantly surprised as the water is still warm at least for the next week or so. The days are warm and the nights are cool but not yet cold. Even though i love this weather i do find that i am constantly over or underdressed for the day. Guess it is all about layering. If you were to come into the store these days you would find a great selection of sweaters of various weights and lengths; something for everyone and every temperature. We have a good variety of knit hats and beanies from Coal headwear as well as scarves, shawls and gloves to keep you toasty.

Is it summer yet?

For those of you who live in the Northeast corner of the States, you know what i mean. Where is the warm weather and the sun? Today is the first sunny day we have had in the past two months. Okay, i do exaggerate a bit but it has been some time since we had a full day of sun. It has had some impact on the number of people visiting the island. The good news is that there is plenty of parking and good selection of sizes still available. But July 4th is just next weekend so our serenity is about to come to an end. :)

New Products at Bramhall & Dunn

The other morning i drove from Vineyard Haven to Chilmark in the fog and mist.  What struck me as i passed  the West Tisbury School was how a new shade of green had been achieved.  It was great to see the new  green leaves against the dark green foliage of established growth.    I was reminded me of the great "Green" window that Wendy designed for the store in Vineyard Haven. Speaking of new things, we are now carrying Pine Cone Hill linens and Dash & Albert rugs for the home and for the body we now have  Roberta Fryman kurtas  and Luna Luz dresses.   Come on in to check out our new items for spring and say hello.