Patricia Assui Reed is the founder of Matriark in Sag Harbor, a retail shop located in a beautiful Victorian house on Main Street that supports women-owned clothing brands. We caught up with Reed to learn more about her shop, her background, Matriark’s give-back initiative, and her love for Sag Harbor.
What inspired you to start Matriark?
I knew there was a lack of representation in the C-suites and the highest ranks in large fashion companies. I believe everybody wins when women have money and power, so I decided to focus on women entrepreneurs in fashion and design, the areas that I had experience in. The more we support them, buy from them, celebrate them, the more money goes to independently owned businesses, and hopefully this helps equalize the balance of power in our industry, and helps to advance gender equity and equality.
Tell us a little about the store, as well as the brands and products you offer.
We are located in the heart of Sag Harbor, in a beautiful Victorian house, and we feature women-owned clothing brands such as Zero Maria Cornejo, Ulla Johnson, Chufy, Rachel Comey, Anaak, KZ_K Studio, Sachin & Babi, Grammar NYC and Royal Jelly Harlem, jewelry brands such as Lulu Frost, Pamela Love, Camila Sarpi, and ARQVO, ceramic artists like Liadain Smith and Daphne Verley, and so much more. This year we also have a Bonberi Mart pop-up with plant-based prepared juices, salads, and snacks.
Tell us a little about your background and what brought you to this point.
I have worked as a retail buyer since the beginning of my career, and I’ve had the privilege to work with many incredible brands and with different categories. Looking back, everything I learned and went through prepared me to start Matriark, and I am very grateful for each experience.
You donate 2.5 percent of net sales to i-tri and 2.5 percent to Ms. Foundation for Women, can you tell us a little about how and why you became involved with these causes?
i-tri’s founder Theresa Roden is a maverick and a wonderful person. She is empowering girls through triathlon and she is right here in East Hampton. It was important to me to support a local organization that does so much for girls and the future women of the East End.
One of the founders of Ms. Foundation for Women was Gloria Steinem, and they have been doing incredibly powerful and meaningful work towards gender equity for many years now. Their organization focuses on women’s needs in the entire U.S., so this was my way to contribute to an organization touching the lives of different women all across the US.
How have you had to pivot due to Covid-19? How has business been this summer?
We were fortunate to be open since June 2020, and that many people were quarantining in our area. Although it wasn’t easy, we were OK. Our business stayed the same, and we are now having a great season. People are ready to see their friends and families again, and they are ready to shop.
Talk a little about Sag Harbor and what you love about the town? What does the perfect day in Sag Harbor look like?
Sag Harbor is truly a special town. I love that everything here is open year round, and that we have a strong community that is highly committed to maintaining this town’s heritage and history. A perfect day in Sag Harbor starts with a yoga class at Yoga Shanti, then a green juice from Bonberi Mart at Matriark, followed by a walk home through the beach. Then maybe a little later some lunch at Dockside Bar & Grill, some shopping on Main Street (at Matriark of course, but also at Ethel & Rowe and The Kite Shop and The Wharf Shop for my kids, Ryland for my husband, and Sylvester & Co for home gifts). I don’t go out at night too often — I have two kids, by 9 PM and I am pretty done for the night — but if I go out to dinner, maybe Dopo La Spiaggia or at Lulu’s would end my day on a good note.
