We talk with Karen, Founder of the lifestyle boutique ‘Pause for the Little Thingz’
Born from a love of free artistic expression, this family-founded boutique offers a unique collection of home decor and novelty pieces curated from around the world, sprinkled with special pieces made by talented local artists in and around the Sag Harbor community.
Karen Clement, her husband Juan Zeledon and son Luca (age 6) host the store at Long Wharf Promenade in Sag Harbor and have created the space to feel more like an experience than just a shopping trip. The name, ‘Pause for the Little Thingz’, encompasses the brand’s ideals: appreciating simplicity, quality and artistry whilst making time to stop and smell the roses. Read on for our interview with Karen.
Tell us about your business?
The store is just about 500 sqft of space! Our business card proudly names the store Founders as the three of us and that kind of sets the tone for who we are and what the space is about. It’s a little off the beaten path, (find us here!) but definitely a treasure worth finding. The products include jewelry, art, pottery, furniture – everything you could possibly want for gifting and novelty home decor.
Pause for the Little Thingz is open 6 days a week (closed on Tuesdays) so stop by (if you can find it), Luca will greet you! I will chat your ears off (just ask me to stop once you have had enough.. I won’t take it personally) and my sweet and shy husband Juan will be available as eye candy… !
How did you come around to starting the store?
My hubby and I are true “fashion connoisseurs”, we both enjoy fully expressing ourselves through fashion and most importantly our own personal style. We felt we could add to the beautiful fashion landscape of the Hamptons, and that there was room for more diversity and uniqueness here.
Previously, I have had opportunities to work as a fashion model, and have also worked as a fashion stylist and visual merchandising Artist. Juan is a professional electrician who always preferred the artistic side of his profession; he’s got a great eye for landscape lighting, creating custom lighting fixtures and doing special event lighting. We loved the idea of retail shopping being a full sensory immersive experience! We loved the idea that shoppers could walk into a space and find a little thing that gives them a feeling of joy without feeling slighted or hurried. We decided to combine our resources and create the space that lived in our heads and hearts. We created an opportunity for people to “pause” in our storefront lounge for a chat, or simply gaze up, at our “sky gallery” and enjoy an installation from a featured local artist.
What’s your favorite thing about running an independent business?
The freedom to fully express our true vision for the space! For example, we just held our first Artist Reception featuring work from the incomparable fashion wizard Edward Wilkerson. Edward is one of the original designers for Donna Karan and Lafayette148 and a published fashion photographer, designer and a highly collected Artist. We also have the honor of offering limited edition copies of a remarkable painting by one of the founders of Azurest, which is the most prominent and affluent black-owned waterfront community in Sag Harbor and the Hamptons. To be able to incorporate what moves you into your space is definitely a perk of running an independent business.
Have you had any obstacles or challenges on the way to starting?
There will always be challenges! We stay prepared for that. It’s life! However one particular hurdle was finding a location that would allow us to be able to satisfy our vision of bringing quality unique finds to buyers without breaking the bank. It’s very hard for “mom and pop” shops to go up against the huge retailers for space in the Hamptons . We are so grateful that when we pitched the idea of our plans to the blue- eyed visionary, and Sag Harbor’s number one realtor “Simon the Broker,” he agreed to sublease some of his space to us!
PS insiders know Simon is the person you call if you’re looking to be matched with your perfect rental or home in the Hamptons!
Do you have any favorite pieces for the upcoming season we can share with our readers?
That’s all we have! Favorite pieces! The space is specifically curated on the small batch idea. Favorites include our signature drop-crotch trouser pants, our ‘Mulla’ every occasion Fall/Winter dress, our ‘In the Cloud’ leather clogs from Spain, astrology necklaces from local Artist Amy Zerner, one-off pottery by Pots by Bebe, our much sought after sterling silver Whale necklaces by local jewelry maker Victoria Pinderhughes, and our latest addition Tallies Tonics handcrafted, Rekki infused organic essential oils for hair and skin, the Italian handmade sunglasses by Heed NYC, and the list of favorites goes on!
Can we shop online or do you sell only through the Sag Harbor store?
The store is a vibe! It’s an experience! And that’s a huge part of what we are offering. Community, family, a space to relax and explore – it’s not just about offering goods for sale, that’s why we wanted brick and mortar. So yes we sell through the Sag Harbor store mostly but we have a very vibrant Instagram account and if you visit our page and catch the vibe and feel the need for any of our wares you see on the page just DM us!
Karen, Juan and Luca are invite everyone to “pause for the little thingz” once a month when they showcase a new artist of the month in their one-of-a-kind Sky Gallery, complete with a local musician and wine.
