New Business Brings New Life to Vintage Design

In the six years that media design business has been stationed in Natick Center, it's unusual and artistic storefront displays have drawn in countless curious passerbys. But once inside, the "business to business" design company had little to show the art browsers interested in purchasing the vintage pieces they had on display as a part of their own decor. That repeated interest is what sparked One80 owner Patrice Goldman to team up with sisters Marcia Brooks and Diane Brooks Ring to create —a new business inside One80 that collects and sells their old treasures to the community.

"We've always had an appreciation of not only original art, but vintage and decorative items," said Goldman, as the business partners sat near a shelf covered and stacked with old cameras. "We thought, why don't we open a little shop gallery...it's our civic responsibility to let the world come in and see beautiful things."

Focusing on "well-designed, functional products," Renew Arts & Industry encourages locals to bring them their pieces of design history, as opposed to throwing them out or leaving them tucked away in a closet.

"One of the things that we're really passionate about is tying together everything that we have here," said Brooks. "Some are old, some are new...although they wouldn't all go together in one collection, they're all tied together by common design principles."

Since opening around the holidays, the women have already seen a great interest in their growing collection from customers who have emotional ties to the items in the store.

"We find that in a disposable society, there are a lot of things which can be given new life and we find that people have a lot of appreciation for things that might have been a part of their childhood, or were in their grandmother's house," said Goldman. "With a little spit and polish, it can become new again."

Renew Arts & Industry also hopes that their space will continue to be a way for the ever-growing community of artists and artisans in Natick to showcase and market original works.

Renew already has plans to invite a local mobile artist, a jeweler and a photographer to use their space as a way to spread the word about their creations. This Sunday, local photographer Jennifer Waddell will visit and offer for couples at the shop.

"We have every intention of investing in the community," said Brooks Ring. "We want to establish relationships with people and we see this as an opportunity to continue to do that."

For more information on Renew Arts & Industry and the items they currently have available for purchase, visit the business' Facebook page.