It takes more than great product to make an impact in today’s retail landscape. Caroline and Michael Ventura are partners in life and co-founders of West Village design store Calliope NYC. The Ventura’s love the treasure hunt concept, brought to life in-store with pieces sought from their travels around the world. The store stocks a mix of vintage, modern and custom-made products, as well as ‘field trips’ like flower arranging, astrology reading and vinyl hunting. It’s this all encompassing combination of the tangible and experiential which makes Calliope unique. We sat with Caroline to find out more about the Calliope concept and what to find in store for the holidays.

Mel Yap: What is the concept/idea of Calliope?

Caroline Ventura:  A lot goes on in our building- next to Calliope is our gallery space And&And. The second floor houses Michael’s design and strategy studio Sub Rosa. And our apartment is on the third floor. Everything in the building is an extension of the things around it, including Calliope. It’s set up to look like a cozy apartment, and has become a place where neighbors and friends come to hang out and chat, and where customers visit to find that weird gift for the person who has everything.

MY: What are you currently coveting in-store right now?