Terrace debuts: Here's the scoop on new eco-friendly home goods, plants store in Hornell
Terrace New York, a new eco-friendly home goods, personal care and plant shop at 96 Main St. in Hornell, may have opened with modest fanfare on Nov. 3, but that doesn't mean the store doesn't have an ambitious mission.
Terrace, founded by 2008 Hornell High School graduate Dontae Mears, produces and sells home goods, including candles, room mists and hand sanitizer, and personal care products like body oils and bath scrubs.
All of Terrace's offerings are produced in-house, in Hornell.
"We grow raw ingredients, we process those into materials, and we produce high-quality goods that we deliver directly to our community," Mears said.
And Terrace has plants, all types of popular tropical plants, imported from places like Ecuador and Indonesia. According to Mears, Terrace has some varieties not always available at major box stores.
“Once I bring them here, I can grow them in our sustainable practice," Mears said.
Terrace New York: All ingredients grown ethically, shipped from reputable suppliers
Mears grew up on Cleveland Avenue. After finishing his studies at the University of Rochester, he moved to New York City and worked in tech and marketing for about a dozen years, most recently for Depop, a vintage second-hand fashion marketplace.
Mears said he moved back to Hornell last March, intent on creating a company from the "ground up" that is committed to sustainability, transparency, eco-consciousness and community.
“This is a really big step and it’s great after years of working for some of the biggest brands, struggling sometimes to get that input in and make your mark, I am excited that I can do that with my own brand," Mears said. “Everything we sell, we make sure that all of the ingredients are grown ethically here in America and shipped from reputable farms that are using organic practices."
Mears said the store is also establishing a recycling program so customers can bring items such as glass back to the business for reusing.
"We're constantly exploring innovative technologies and practices to reduce our footprint and promote conscious consumerism," Terrace said in a mission statement.
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What's next for Terrace: Grand opening, 25-acre Hornell farm
Terrace is located within the 96 Main St. building that features Salon 96 and Day Spa. Terrace is open Tuesday through Friday, 1-9 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The store is closed on Monday.
An official grand opening celebration will take place at 1 p.m. Nov. 17, at the store.
Terrace went live online in early September and even bigger things are on the way for the company.
“I consider the retail piece to be one part of what Terrace is," Mears said. "The other two aspects are farm operations and then eventually our manufacturing operations."
Mears said Terrace plans to break ground next spring on 25 acres of farmland near the Maple City.
"That is where we are going to grow all the raw ingredients for our products," Mears said. "No longer will I be importing lavender from growers; we will grow our own lavender right outside of Hornell."
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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Eco-friendly store opens in Hornell. What to know about Terrace
