What do two former Def Jam records employees, Jessica Jenkins and Andy West, do after living in hectic New York City? Relocate to Kennebunkport, Maine to open a design shop called Daytrip Society of course. Duh! (grin.) This is seriously such a cool story especially because they are originally from Maine and it’s a story of returning to ones roots. Jessica and Andy want their store to be the go-to destination for design lovers who are also inspired by nature and travel. They carry everything from home accessories to organic products and handcrafted treasures.

This is an inspiring example of those who completely change direction and dive into something new — it takes a lot of courage but I believe that those who are risk takers and who believe in their vision will survive this economy. I also see the need for people to get back in touch with their home turf, support their local communities or return home to where they have established roots and build something special within that community. I’m all for that. We all have the ability to shape shift from what we are today to what we want to become tomorrow, but lots of times fear holds us back — not actual ability.

Yay to Jessica and Andy for not only opening a great shop but for taking the leap and being such an inspiration to other small business owners out there.

(images from daytrip society)

31 Responses to “Daytrip Society {Maine}”

1 Cary commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 1:44 pm

looks amazing! very impressive.
2 michelle commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 1:49 pm

the mural, and the banister, wow.

michelles last blog post: Ink & Spindle – Hand Painted Textiles
3 cevd commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 1:52 pm

my dream store … and i WANT that bike!

cevds last blog post: best of business cards
4 Dana commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 1:52 pm

how inspiring… their shoppe and your words!

Danas last blog post: Confessions of Rousseau
5 viv commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 1:56 pm

That’s very inspirational, I can’t say I am a risk taker, but something like this always gives me that little push, the shop looks really cool!

vivs last blog post: Winter Owlie
6 blue bicicletta commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 2:12 pm

What a beautiful store and inspiring message–I do love to hear stories of people taking the leap! It is a shame how fear holds us back—I often feel it lurking and am trying to learn to ignore it. I think it may be impossible to get rid of it, but we can learn to recognize it, call it by its name, and move on.
7 Taylor commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 2:22 pm

That looks like a really fun shop to spend my days in. I wish I could open up something like that!

Taylors last blog post: LOVE
8 leaca commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 2:25 pm

cute little shop. everyone is ready to fold shop because of the economy but we need to remember that this is the time to take a chance like this–history has proved that.

leacas last blog post: simply inspired–notebooks
9 315thomas commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 2:25 pm

what a lovely story, and a lovely store!

315thomass last blog post: splurge vs. steal . . . spring picnic
10 Vistil commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 2:27 pm

I went into the store this summer when I was on vacation. It’s really cool! I ended getting a bunch of things. I really love the plates. I talked to the owner for a minute – she’s pretty awesome.
11 Sahil commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 2:34 pm

Amazing looking show room! All new, modernistic show rooms seem to be popping up everywhere. This showroom goes with the modern trend as well capitalizing on rocks. http://www.chdmag-digital.com/chdmag/200901/?pg=54&pm=2

Great work!

Sahils last blog post: Ferry Building Gala for Alzheimer’s
12 Jaime @ PrimaDonna Boutique commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 2:44 pm

Great story, and love the images of the store. I hope they’re successful!

Jaime @ PrimaDonna Boutiques last blog post: Why Wool?
13 Andy Mathis commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 2:45 pm

It took me 5 minutes and several clicks and zooms to figure out that woodland path is “inside” the store. I kept say, “Where’d the wall go?”
Haha.

Looks like a neat shop. Best of luck to them.

Andy Mathiss last blog post: Lucky- Pomeranian Puppy
14 nichole commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 2:46 pm

I agree completely, and I think there will be more urban flight than most anticipate.

We’re considering a move to Lancaster, PA after Paris. I grew up there, it’s only about 3 hours from NYC (where Evan and I both have clients), and it’s beautiful, slow-paced and where my family is.

Who knows?!?

nicholes last blog post: Sweetness and Light
15 the domestic fringe commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 2:59 pm

That’s awesome! I used to live close to this area of Maine, so when I go back to visit, I’ll have to stop in.

-FringeGirl

the domestic fringes last blog post: Family Planning & Adoption
16 Amy commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 3:07 pm

Makes me want to move back home!

Amys last blog post: Please join me…
17 Jeni commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 3:32 pm

That wall is awesome! What an inventive idea! As always, your words provide so much inspiration Holly, thank you.

Jenis last blog post: Elemental Goods
18 Diana commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 4:21 pm

Love that boardwalk photo reaching out into the railing in the store, by the bike.

Dianas last blog post: Pastoral Bliss
19 Sue commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 4:50 pm

Wow I wish I was in Maine. I love the way they’ve built the bannister up to the mural, it looks fantastic.

Sues last blog post: Orange Circles Card
20 Mallory commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 5:06 pm

i despise that i haven’t been there yet even though i live in maine! i’m writing a big note to put on my fridge, reminding myself to take the drive to kennebunkport as soon as i can. i meant to go months ago after reading about it in a magazine (?portland magazine?) & then completely forgot. thank you for reminding me!!

Mallorys last blog post: Lovely Finds – Nina Hjorth
21 Christine commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 5:55 pm

What an adorable store!! Best of luck to the both of them!
22 Liv commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

A great looking store and really inspirational story shame this store is not a little closer to New Zealand!
23 Shani commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 6:06 pm

I could get into a lot of trouble in that store. What a very inspiring and well said message at the end, too! A message many of us need to hear these days.

Shanis last blog post: Rx: Cultural Renaissance
24 Hazel commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 6:44 pm

I like the trompe l’oeil effect – how they added the railing to join up with the picture. Very convincing.

Hazels last blog post: Her Morning Elegance – Oren Lavie
25 jen commented:
February 19th, 2009 at 7:36 pm

Daytrip Society is SUCH a cute store! A must stop on any visit to the area. Yay Jessica and Andy!!
26 Laura commented:
February 20th, 2009 at 9:58 am

Everything is *so* gorgeously displayed, this is just the sort of shop I would like to spend a good long time in. I love the branches (?) hung from the ceiling! And it looks like such a brilliant mix of design-y (Orla Kiely luggage! Yay!) and rustic (boots, backpacks, water bottles). If I make it up to Maine I will have a hard time not blowing all my money there!

Lauras last blog post: Happy Weekend! {and a recipe}
27 Uncle Beefy commented:
February 20th, 2009 at 11:13 am

Ugh…Holly! No wonder “nobody” has commented on this post! This place really needs some styling tips! Like, for instance, why not, say…use a picnic table for display? That would have been so sweet and unexpected. And if Jessica and Andy really took any interest in the creative process they could have taken that large woodland mural and built the bridge railings actually coming out from the photo! Even adding, oh, say a bicycle for added effect! But no….

…oh…. wait….

er, uh…..nevermind. ;)

(GENIUS!!! Aside from the fact that it’s in Maine (HUGE selling point por moi!) this place is a merchandising dream! Well done! Jessica & Andy…if you could see me, I’d be standing up and applauding!!! Bravo!)

Uncle Beefys last blog post: J’adore.
28 Ana Lorena commented:
February 20th, 2009 at 10:43 pm

That’s my dream store!! And the owners story is so insipring!
I’d like to do something like that in my hometown :)

By the way, I’ve been a decor8 follower for quite a while, but it’s the first time I comment.
I can’t tell you exactly how inspiring it’s been, but I’m pretty sure that it had something to do with my decision to study interior architecture (which I’m doing now, and I love it!) :)
29 eva commented:
February 21st, 2009 at 10:38 am

thanks for showing this lovely shop. i am glad that there are still people who are hopeful. they have such a great eye…i’m sure it will pay off.
30 Juli commented:
March 1st, 2009 at 9:59 pm

Good luck to them! We’re trying to get our own small business going so it’s great/inspiring to see other people trying their their hand at it.

Julis last blog post: February Roundup
31 Manuela commented:
September 10th, 2009 at 5:09 am

I’m from Rome and i never see something like that… I’d like to have more shops like that around me. Me and my husband we’re trying to put on something similar… i wish a good luck to them and for all of us!
Manuela´s last blog ..Bambù n°5

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