Business & Tech
Introducing Cottage
Cottage owner Emma Ville's mother taught her that if you do what you love, it feels less like work.
Special to Emmaus Patch By Chrissy Cilento, Emmaus High School Senior
Business: Cottage
379 Main St.
610 965 8720
www.cottageonmainstreet.com
Owners: Emma Ville and Heidi Rodale
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. weekends; closed Sundays January-May
What you sell?
Gift store, vintage furniture and children's gifts.
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Why did you choose to locate your business in Emmaus?
This is where we both live and we love Emmaus's thriving business community!
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How long have you been in business?
6 years
What inspired you to start your business?
It's something I always wanted to do and I saw a niche in the area for local, handmade or unique gifts and well-made children's items.
What makes your business different from the competition?
Our gifts are carefully chosen, often local and made in America. If it's not something we don't love then we don't stock it.
What is the most rewarding part of your business?
Seeing gifts that we have chosen, bought and gifted to others who will appreciate them.
What’s the hardest part of your business?
Nothing really, every day is different and brings new customers who will hopefully become friends.
What's the best business advice you've ever received?
People matter, whether it's your staff, your customers or your community. Also, really sell the benefits of supporting "mom and pop" stores, the personal touch, the extras like free gift wrap and the many times I've helped frantic buyers (usually men) on Christmas Eve with the perfect choice because I know most of my customers by name.
What business advice would you give to someone else?
Research your business, competition, the demographic of the area and be aware how these change over time.
Do you have a role model for what you do?
My mother always worked incredibly hard, but made sure she did a job that she enjoyed so then it felt less like work.
What do you do when you aren't working?
Sleep!!
Chrissy Cilento, a senior at Emmaus High School, plans to study journalism in college. She is a periodic contributor to Patch.
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