Rising Star: Kimberly R. Pedrick
Name: Kimberly R. Pedrick Age: 30 Hometown: Lyme. Also has a home in Boston, Mass. Occupation: Owner, Endleman Gallery, 1014 Chapel Street, New Haven Biography: Pedrick says she grew up "all over the place." After graduating from the University of Maryland in 1998 with a degree in psychology, Pedrick moved to Boston. She began working for Lord & Taylor, helping to open new locations all over the country. Realizing that her long-standing interest in merchandising to a management position. After working for Lord & Taylor for five years, she was recruited by Neiman Marcus, where she managed jewelry for two years. Last November she purchased the Endleman Gallery from founder and namesake Sally Endleman.One of the things Pedrick says she likes about New Haven is that it has more of a "community feel" than Boston. She now divides her time between the two cities. "Typically through the week I'm in Lyme," Pedrick says. "I get up to my place in Boston once a month."
The gallery carries a wide array of merchandise and caters "mostly to professionals, Yale professors students, and parents," according to Pedrick. Half of the gallery displays hand-crafted artisan jewelry from throughout the country, including pieces from some local artisans. The jewelry ranges in price from $10 to $400.
The other half of the gallery features clothing, handbags and accessories from designers such as Eileen Fisher, which Pedrick describes as "a really good resource." Pedrick says her business is "pretty split" between clothing and jewelry, with the amount of each sold varying from month to month.
When Pedrick bought the gallery last year, she decided to keep all four of Endleman's part-time employees on the job. "I wanted people to see familiar faces," she explains. Her employees also appreciated the gesture. Deborah Robohm, who has worked on and off for two decades at the gallery, says Pedrick is "delightful to work for."
Robohm says that Pedrick "has fabulous ideas" and "a lot of business acumen." The new proprietress "has brought in many new lines that accent the type of store we are," she adds. "She's very good at merchandising." These qualities have helped to draw new faces to the gallery. "Customers have taken to her right off the bat," Robohm says.
Pedrick's dog Baxter is also part of the team on hand to greet customers. "He's our mascot," Robohm says.
Achievements: Since taking over the business last November, Pedrick has expanded the merchandise line. "We've brought on new lines in keeping with the existing lines that have been performing well," Pedrick says. For example, Longchamp Handbags have been doing "extremely well." In addition, Pedrick has begun selling jewelry made by local artists such as Juliet Rutitliano from Lyme and Guilford's Vera Wolfe, who creates pieces from semi-precious stones and sterling silver.
"We've brought in a local flavor to add to the existing jewelry," Pedrick explains. Nevertheless, she is also proud of the fact that she has maintained Endleman's loyal customer base. "We have existing customers who have always shopped here, and hopefully we will continue to build upon that," Pedrick says.
Goals: "I would like to see the gallery expand and grow," Pedrick says. "I'd like to expand sales and grow this space." In addition, "I would like to have our clientele continue to enjoy shopping here, and gain new clients." For Pedrick, the most important thing is to "give customers what they want, hear their feedback, and focus on their needs." Pedrick also plans to change the gallery's name to "idiom" and to hold a "re-grand opening" on October 21
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