Mamaroneck Small Business Spotlight: The Bott Shoppe - Studio & Store

MAMARONECK, NY — Our Small Business Spotlight shines a light on local businesses we may not know that well.

• Business: The Bott Shoppe - Studio & Store
• Owners: Laura Saravia Bott
• Website: bottshoppe.com
• Address: 606 Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck NY 10543

How did you come up with the name? It's actually my married name — a pretty cool last name. Since it was a multi-use space, I wanted it to have an intriguing name yet have flexibility as we figured out how we wanted to structure all our offerings. Thus, The Bott Shoppe was born!

Why start a business in this town? My husband and I decided at one point that we wanted to have kids and in order to do that we would need to make a move outside of Brooklyn, where we currently reside. We needed to be near Greenwich, CT, where he works as a Tennis Pro, and near the MetroNorth so I could easily access the city, since as a city girl I haven't driven in a long time.

When I would be on the train coming in from the city to Connecticut, I would pass through Mamaroneck. I was taken by how nice, clean and diverse it was. It had that small town vibe yet wasn't so far that I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere — that neighborhood vibe we were looking for that we couldn't find in the city, and any signs of that are diminishing with the overbuilding that is currently happening to most of NYC.

Although we decided not to have kids, I still wanted to expand out of Brooklyn and found the space that we're in now. It checked off a few things I was looking for, convenience to the train station for easy access to the city when I need to go see my clients, close to the water for that easy-going vibe, have a small town structure and the potential for growth. I didn't want to move into a premium place that would require me to pay exorbitant amounts for the space, yet another terrible trait of NYC that has no plans of slowing down. It was the only place that checked off all those needs and wants.

Even though I wasn't really prepared to make the move, I fell in love with the location and we've made it work for us ever since. I'm happy with that whim of a decision and how our lives have been transformed by our time here. I have met some great people and have access to not only the Mayor but even our Senator! Both of which are very open to conversation. The local business owners and village managers are very nice people who really care about the area, too. It's really been a great experience to find a place that I can have my business call home for years to come.

What business are you in? My business is multi-faceted. My profession is as a graphic designer. Among, other businesses, I launched my own design & marketing studio about 3 years ago, which I started out of my Brooklyn apartment. Once I got out of my former business as a owner of an art & music venue that we turned into a brewpub in Florida, I was looking to have my own space where I could run the studio but also put on events and sell art-related items.

In our current space, we're a gift store, an art gallery, event space and art & design studio all in one! We're essentially in the business of art! But what it also has provided is a lot of opportunity to try my hand at other types of projects that maybe I wouldn't ever been able to accomplish had I tried to do them in Brooklyn or elsewhere.

In addition, I am very excited to be able to tap into a new client base here in Westchester. Just recently, I have been working with World Famous Walter's Hot Dogs — a staple of the area for generations and a great family to work with!

In addition, as we have grown, we have expanded our services and offerings to provide a place for local artists to not only sell their work outside of the craft shows or traditional galleries, but also as a place to network with other artists and artisans.

What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner? One of the most difficult challenges I've faced as a business owner is not being from around here and living in Brooklyn. It feels like I'm the new kid in town and I have to work a lot harder to understand the community and norms around here. As I have gotten more involved, people are really welcoming and I don't feel like such an outsider anymore.

In terms of the location, parking is a major issue throughout the village, but our block has less parking spots than businesses, so obviously that causes a lot of issues for people trying to come to my space. I always try to remind customers to look for parking at Columbus Park which is attached to the MetroNorth station and has metered parking and ample spaces than right out front of my store.

I would like to see more of a push for alternative transportation, like designated bike lanes and safer pedestrian walkways. More people are looking for walkable neighborhoods and as more Brooklynites get pushed out of their current neighborhoods, I think some of the things that have developed there could also be transferred here. I work with Citibank's Citibike through the agency Publicis North America and have seen how a program like that has transformed the way people move around short distances. The second most difficult part of starting this business on this specific side of town is that it's not as developed as the rest and therefore receives substantially less foot traffic and attention. I do think that in the long-term, we picked a great spot that we can grow with and happy to help in shepherding that vision. That's why I try to attend as many meetings, events, sponsor different types of groups and partner with lots of different types of people and organizations.

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening? I am most proud of being able to provide all my abilities to the local community in multiple ways.

Specifically, two of my proudest achievements are centered around the creative arts, but in vastly different ways, but similar that they are public and inclusive.

First I was integral in getting the Center Avenue mural by Piero Manrique produced in conjunction with the VoM Arts Council and have been a vocal supporter of more access to the arts by all types of people. Art is really for everyone and an incredible asset for every community to embrace!

The second, but the biggest was the Food Truck and Makers Market I recently helped organize last fall, in hopes of showing people that there is more on the "other side of the tracks," and ensuring that the diversity of The Village was represented. It was so fun to bring in an eclectric group including the Community Resource Center, Environmental Committee, The School of Rock, Chattsworth Antiques & Consignment, some of the areas best food trucks and a range of local artisans that showcased their handmade items.

It was fun to see how the community really rallied together to make our first one the best it could be. I appreciated so much how people like John Verni and Andrew Spatz from the IAC championed for my involvement. It allowed for others to feel secure that this was done in the best interest of the mission to bring attention to the potential of the area, while allowing me to produce my first large-scale event in The Village. We hope to do our next one some time in the Spring and again in the Fall.

It also served as a starting point for the type of businesses and energy that hopefully the rezoning of the Industrial Area will bring and to build interest in an area that needs vital revitalization. Many jobs and businesses were affected by Superstorm Sandy and never recovered. Although there are still many thriving businesses in that area, there are almost a million square feet of unused space and the rezoning will allow for different types of businesses to occupy the area and bring more jobs and opportunities to the local community. I do appreciate how all the people involved, from the Board of Trustees, to the different boards to the Mayor really care about the residents and their quality of life.

How does your business give back to the community? As mentioned, I have been very involved with the VoM Arts Council, the Chambers of Commerce, the Industrial Area Committee as well as local schools and organizations.

I give back to the community through being an advocate for local artists and businesses, volunteering my time, graphic design and marketing services and providing a local resource with an open door policy. If I can help connect someone or provide some guidance, I am happy to do it, especially for the Latin and Immigrant population.

I also try to bring people in the community together to bring more light to the great local businesses that are here in Mamaroneck. I am specifically interested in bringing more attention to the Washingtonville side of The Village of Mamaroneck.

If you are a small business owner and would like to see your business in the spotlight, go to this link, answer the questions and send it to Patch.

Screenshot from bottshoppe.com.