#StorefrontStories

Behind every storefront, there is a story.

Think about the local shops and restaurants you’ve missed most – the places and people that have become part of your daily life. Like the barista who knows you by name. The restaurant where you celebrate every family birthday. The boutique owner who always has time to chat and gives your dog treats. These businesses are what make Derby Street feel like home, and the sense of connection they bring feels more valuable than ever.

Now, as they’ve reopened their doors, we’re highlighting our Derby Street family through a new series, #storefrontstories. Through photos and five-minute interviews, we’re showcasing and celebrating the people behind the businesses you love, who have persevered through uncertain times and continue to make Derby so special.

Watch the stories unfold below and on Instagram and get excited to return to your favorites. Want to see a certain business featured? Let us know!

Polkadog Bakery
Rob Van Sickle, Owner and Maureen Hilchey, Store Manager

Q: What do you love most about your work?
A: Meeting all of our clientele and their furry friends that come into the store.

Q: What’s one positive thing that came out of the shutdown?
A: My oldest son is now five and we’ve started taking morning walks to the arboretum across the street from our house.

Q: Now that you’re back, what are you most excited for?
A: I am excited to share Polkadog with all of the folks on the South Shore. We thought about opening a store here for a really long time and the shutdown basically started the day after we opened. I am looking forward to welcoming everyone again.

Q: What’s an interesting fact you want your customers to know about you?
A: I currently have four horses, four dogs a cat and a 15 month old son!

American Eagle
Ally Sessine, Selling Manager and Sam Wood, Merchandising Manager

Q: What do you love most about your work?
A: I love the people I work with and the company’s values.

Q: What’s one positive thing that came out of the shutdown?
A: Because we were here shipping out orders I’m closer with the small group of people I was in the store with. It’s also been nice to get back to basics in the store making sure everything looks good.

Q: Now that you’re back, what are you most excited for?
A: Interacting with customers! Even though it is different now, we really missed them.

Q: What’s an interesting fact you want your customers to know about you?
A: I’ve worked in retail for 8 years. American Eagle has always been one of my favorite brands, even before I started working here in August.

Bertucci’s
Erin Landaverde, General Manager

Q: What do you love most about your work?
A: I love our guests and coming in and being surrounded by people all day.

Q: What’s one positive thing that came out of the shutdown?
A: Teamwork! With less people, people instinctively helped eachother.

Q: Now that you’re back, what are you most excited for?
A: We’re most excited for having guests again and having our servers back.

Q: What’s an interesting fact you want your customers to know about you?
A: You can truest that we’re keeping everyone safe and we will keep it that way for our customers.

Vineyard Vines
Various Members of the Derby Street Store Team

Q: What do you love most about your work?
A: Our team, our customers and our fabulous clothing of course!

Q: What’s one positive thing that came out of the shutdown?
A: We are stronger now. We went through this as a team. We stayed committed and that’s what Vineyard Vines is all about.

Q: Now that you’re back, what are you most excited for?
A: We are excited to welcome customers back!

Q: What’s an interesting fact you want your customers to know about you?
A: Our team is really like a family.

Anthropologie
Harriet Gerakas, Store Brand Leader

Q: What do you love most about your work?
A: Styling our customers and getting dressed up for work everyday.

Q: What’s one positive thing that came out of the shutdown?
A: A lot of time to be able to tackle some organization and improvements that we didn’t have time for before.

Q: Now that you’re back, what are you most excited for?
A: I’m excited most to see our “regulars” again and to see my entire staff again.

Q: What’s an interesting fact you want your customers to know about you?
A: I helped open this store four years ago when it was brand new and completely empty! I started as the Apparel Department Manager.