Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin McCann Tamar Brecher.
Hi Robin McCann, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Tamar and Robin, owners of Luster, had been working for almost two years, prior to opening, to bring their creative gift boutique to life. Educating themselves was a meaningful undertaking and one they took seriously. From classes with Bad Girl Ventures, to private one-on-one coffee dates with mentors, there was no avenue of the business they left unturned. The spirit of Luster was formed in wanting to help other working-women and mothers have a place where you could cover all your gift purchasing needs. Whether it is a gift for a friend, family member or a treat for yourself, Tamar and Robin strive to create a sanctuary for your retail experience. As Cleveland and its surrounding suburbs emerge, they knew the Van Aken district was the ideal spot to start and grow their business. The area has a unique feel, filled with other locally owned boutiques.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Building a business and literally building a brick and mortar always comes with struggles. During our initial build-out we dealt with several scenarios where we felt we were treated differently as women- which was eye opening. And of course, COVID hitting after we had only been open 18 months threw a huge curveball our way. We were forced to get a shoppable website up and working quickly, pivet our offerings as people were not attending milestone occasions that required gifts and deal with the reality of running a business and paying bills during a pandemic. But, we survived and learned a lot!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We really strive to provide unique gifts and offerings that you can’t find in other area boutiques. We want to take what we see when we visit other cities and bring it to our customers here in Shaker Heights, OH.
We are super proud that we are expanding our business after 6 years. We are thrilled to see Luster grow and can’t wait to open our addition and be able to expand our product lines.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
We love the community feel of Shaker Heights. The Van Aken District has become a sort of “downtown Shaker Heights” where people can gather, eat and shop. We are honored to be part of that growth, Shaker Heights is rich in history, culture and diversity – all of which we LOVE.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lustergifts.com
- Instagram: @lustergifts
- Facebook: Luster A Gift Boutique
- Other: Tik Tok: Lustergifts
