Britt Summers, a Hastings-on-Hudson local, opened The Hōm Market 3.5 years ago, hoping to bring an inviting, inspiring destination to her community.

The shop is a retail experience and a platform for talented makers near and far—France, Portugal, Mexico, Ethiopia, Uganda, Spain, Italy, and local New York-based artisans, too.

Read on to meet Britt!

Britt has lived in Hastings for 8 years. As a business owner and mother, Britt is not just a passive observer; she cares deeply about Hastings, breathing life into its streets. The Hōm Market donates annually to a number of charities, from Rivertowns for Reproductive Rights and Hastings Education Foundation to the Hastings Fire Department and Little League.

Formerly an architectural studio space, Summers transformed 14 Spring Street into The Hōm Market, bringing global treasures and a sense of discovery to her community.

“I have found such great joy in starting a local business here, especially as a community member myself… We love our street, we love our neighbors, we love Hastings. I just really care about this town and I’m invested in it growing and thriving.”

On fostering a vibrant downtown: 

“All boats float in high tide and I would love to see more little shops open up here and Hastings to become a little district. This is my town, and I want to bring beauty to it.”

Before Hōm, there were flowers. Britt grew up in Rochester before moving to New York City where she opened Miss Fancy Plants, a floral design and events studio in the West Village.

“I was missing nature in the city so I became a florist. It was a way to bring nature to me, to work with flowers, and become a creative.”

Today, Britt’s curation focuses on the joys of everyday living—creating beautiful spaces, cooking, and hosting dinner parties. 

“If it's here, it's because I love it. The shop is a natural extension of my home.”

Part of Britt's ethos is to use The Hōm Market as a platform to promote female artisans and sustainable businesses that produce in small batches:

“I love giving women a place to display their goods and get their voices out there.

There's just so much of the same out there these days. So many mass-produced items that are affecting the environment by being not made to last.”

On connecting with artisans around the world:

“I love the global sense that exists in the shop. I love traveling and meeting artists where they work, and I love bringing pieces back to introduce others to them.”

On fewer, more authentic things:

“We want our customers to be really excited about what they get. I don't think you need ten vases. I think you need three really special vases. We provide that here.”

What's next? 

"We've been working really hard to get our website to a place that we are proud of. I think we are just now reaching that point.”

“You have to wear a lot of hats as a small business owner. I love what I'm doing. I love it. I love it. This is my dream job and I created it.”