By Madeline Oden, BXV for BXV Stronger Together
Nov. 18, 2020: Every week since early September, MHTB has been featuring articles about local businesses. Below is our current feature. You will find links to previous Spotlight features at the end of this article. Enjoy!
Womrath Bookshop, 76 Pondfield Road, Bronxville
Morin Bishop
Morin Bishop and Barbara Chilenskas purchased Womrath Bookshop in August 2019. They were chatting with friends about Womrath's availability, thought it over and boom, Morin and Barbara owned a bookshop.
Morin and Barbara met in 1991 when Barbara, a graphic designer, and Morin, a book editor at Sports Illustrated, came together to create The Olympics: A History of the Games. From that point on, they worked as a team on many book projects, with Barbara handling visual elements and Morin working on structure and copy. Together, they have created over 200 books.
The book business "desperately needs to be supported," says Morin, "you learn from both fiction and non-fiction." Morin's goal was to read 40 books between August 2019 and August 2020. He read 39.
The post-Covid goal for Womrath is to be a venue for readings and signings and a relaxed environment for chatting about books and finding out what Barbara or Morin recommend. Womrath is slowly being transformed into a more open space with a conversation nook at the rear. On weekends, you are likely to see Barbara and Morin's daughter, Ellis, at the shop. Ellis, 19, is a first-year student at Sarah Lawrence and is a talented artist.
Morin is grateful to their landlord, who was accommodating during the Covid shutdown. With phone orders only and Morin's nightly deliveries, revenue was down 60%. Thankfully, since re-opening, business has been good since Bronxville is truly a village of readers and book clubs.
Womrath would be a great place to purchase children's books or the latest novel for holiday gifts.
Candy Rox, 66 Pondfield Road, Bronxville
Valerie Stone
Conceived by owner Valerie Stone, Candy Rox opened in Bronxville in 2015. Old-fashioned yet totally today, Candy Rox offers high quality candy and a mind-boggling array of gifts which can be gift wrapped in distinctive fashion.
Valerie started her work life developing products for private label fashion retailers. She was on the fast track with frequent international travel. Believing that "life has different chapters," Valerie turned the page after her children were born and happily spent 15 years or so at home raising her children and volunteering. As the children entered their teens, the next chapter beckoned.
With hands-on knowledge of kids and the desire to start a business, the Candy Rox concept was born. The name was obvious because, as Valerie says, "candy does rock."
Candy Rox candy comes from many different vendors who bombard Valerie with emails promoting products. She attends gift and candy shows but, because they aren't happening now, Valerie spends hours online.
Vision and drive run deep in the Stone family. Husband Jamie is the Director of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles for Baron Capital. Son Jackson, 26, works in strategic consulting. Twin girls, Renee and Bridget, 21, are set to graduate from the University of Michigan.
If you want to feel like "a kid in a candy shop," head to Candy Rox, where the motto is "Freedom and Candy for all." www.candyrox.com
Bottomline Blinds, 120 Pondfield Road, Bronxville
Chantz, Tanya and Steve Vavra
Tanya and Steve Vavra are the proprietors of Bottomline Blinds, which features Hunter Douglas products.
Their story begins in 1981 when Tanya, newly arrived in New York from Colorado and working in modeling, investigated a second job at Steve's jazz nightclub. "We just clicked," says Tanya, "Steve was different from other men, straightforward and good looking." They married in 1987.
Steve, who is a master carpenter, and Tanya opened a hardware store right before the recession of 1990/91. Window treatments kept the store afloat. When the store closed, Tanya sold Hunter Douglas products from home while Steve handled measuring and installation. The business blossomed, and the couple now have Bottomline Blinds stores in Dobbs Ferry, Pleasantville, and Bronxville
The couple have two children, Chantz, 20, and Derex, 18. Chantz has worked at Bottomline since he was 13 years old. When he was young, he worked to earn a little extra spending money. Now he runs the Pleasantville store. Derex, 18, is a freshman at the Hartford School of Art and among his recent creations is a sculpture using recycled materials.
Since re-opening after the Covid shutdown, business has been steady. Customers "noticed things that had to be done at home." While the shutdown was tough, there were silver linings. There was "so much family time. It was awesome," says Tanya. And she's "never been so organized." But there has also been some sadness. The couple is mindful that many merchants have not been as lucky as they have been.
The Vavras six days a week and often Sundays. In rare free time, they work in their garden and home "side by side."
"I love the town," says Tayna, "it's a friendly, walking, one-stop shopping town."
Other Spotlight Features
If you'd like to read about other businesses in town, click on these links for other Spotlight Features.
Spotlight on Found Herbal, Mossy Fern, and Provisions for Pets
Spotlight on Booskerdoo, Bronxville Jewelers 90 and Station Plaza Wine
Spotlight on Bronxville Fitness Club, Fabio's Hair Studio & Wild Vine & Liquors
Spotlight on Adrian East, Bronxville Furriers and Beer Noggin
Spotlight on Chantilly Patisserie and Bakeshop, Enrico Gargano Hair & Hickey's Del
Spotlight on Ladle of Love, Mrs. Morgan's Flower Shop & Gillard's
Spotlight on Slave to the Grind, Maison Rouge & Continental 109 Salon
Spotlight on Brother's Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Mini's Prime Meats & Park Place Bagels
Spotlight on Bayside Travel, Trapp Opticians and Whim
Spotlight on Silk Road, Cookies N' Cream and Fine Arts Gallery
Spotlight on Silver Spoon, Mano a Mano and Tryforos & Pernice Florist
Photo at top: A.Warner; Other photos by M. Oden
Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes articles from local institutions, officeholders, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.