Medina home decorating store offers one-of-a-kind vintage options
‘This is a departure from the mall culture’ – Lynne Brundage
Photos by Sue Cook – Lynne Brundage stands among the items in her shop. She said it would be impossible to describe all the items for sale in the store since there is a huge amount of variety.
By Sue Cook
MEDINA – A store that opened in August quickly outgrew that space in downtown Medina and expanded to its own store front last month.
ellen j goods was originally set up from August until December inside Rock Paper Salon, but Lynne Brundage knew the business needed to expand. Lynne and her husband JR rented a first-floor space at 433 Main Street in Medina. The store opened there on Feb. 1, the same day as Wine About Winter. ellen j goods celebrated its grand opening March 14-16.
The Brundage couple both buys and restores old, vintage items for the shop. They take items that are generally pre-1970 and repair and often repaint them.
“We have always had a passion for repurposing and redecorating. We love to give new life to something that people would normally discard,” Lynne said. “We select pieces that there’s a comfort in them. They’re not high-end antiques, but more like vintage-modern and remade items.
“We love your grandmother’s furniture,” joked JR.
The store interior was left purposely unfinished to create an urban style that complements the vintage pieces. “It feels right to let those layers of history show through,” Lynne said.
The couple chose to open their business in Medina with all the good reception they received during their initial opening inside Rock Paper.
“This area is having a renaissance,” said Lynne. “We’ve raised families here. I think it’s coming back full circle, too, back to small, hometown, independent, little businesses. We’ve had customers from Buffalo, Lancaster, Brockport, and more. We think this is an example for other communities.”
Lynne still works full time in Compliance and Incidence Management at a local agency. JR is an independent contractor. The couple hopes that their business will lead them into a sort-of retirement where they will be doing what the have always dreamed of in operating their own business.
Lynne stated that her husband has been a huge support in the process of opening her own business. “He’s brilliant,” she said. “He can do anything, and he gets it. He gets my vision. He also settles me down a lot since I have a lot of impulsiveness and creativity. He also makes my coffee every morning.”
ellen j goods is located at 433 Main Street in Medina. The sign out front was approved with its protruding element of a single white chair.
“With manufacturing and home décor, so much of it is being done away from the U.S.” She says that especially with personal touches, the items display a unique personality and would never be found anywhere else unlike mass-produced modern furniture. “This is a departure from the mall culture.”
Lynne and JR both repurpose items, but despite their styles being similar, they are also very different. JR makes items that are more masculine and simple. Lynne is much more of a free creative. “I’m not afraid to decoupage an entire table,” she said.
JR has always been very impressed with his wife’s fearless style. “Our house always tends to be ahead of the publications. She knows what trends are before or as they are happening.”
The store name is even a play on words. It is a combination of the couple’s first initials. L and J, when said in a quick flow, turns into ellen j. Lynne put the word “goods” on the end and the store name was born. She opted to keep the name lowercase to add uniqueness and felt that it was adorable that way.
The shop space is full of antiques that have been left untouched, while other pieces have been given a modern facelift or have been paired with stylish accessories.
Lynne is currently working with Kelsie Withey and Michael Gaughn who are opening a new marketing company in the Newell building above the Shirt Factory. Lynne will provide interior decorating for the space using pieces from her store.
“We each want to do something different,” said Gaughn. “She has what we’re looking for in both directions.”
Gaughn will be setting his office up in a way that is reminiscent of a late 1920s to 1940s detective noir.
“I want something bohemian and lofty. I want it cozier, like Greenwich Village,” Withey said.
“It’s going to be fun and interesting,” Lynne said of the project, as she showed them pieces that would appropriate for each office space.
Lynne said the store also provides custom work besides just premade items available in the shop. She also plans to hold classes once her space is fully prepared for it. The classes will offer opportunities for people to learn easy things that Lynne insists anyone can do. She would like to start with a basic furniture makeover.
The store is currently open four days a week. The hours are Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon until 4 p.m. To learn more, visit their Facebook page by clicking here.
