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Part of a series on vendors appearing at the Westborough Farmers Market.
WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – As stay-at-home moms who are always on the go, Darlene Goetz and Sharmila Pai wanted stylish clothes to fit their active lifestyles.
Inspired, Goetz and Pai decided to turn their fashion dilemma into a business.
The pair started Elements within Zinc to sell the stylish active wear they liked and believed residents would enjoy. Elements within Zinc is a room inside of the store Zinc at 133 East Main Street, which is owned by interior designer Amy Callahan.
Elements within Zinc sells “activewear that’s cute and comfortable,” said Goetz. The clothes she and Pai select for the store are geared toward active women like themselves who want to be comfortable, but look put together, as well.
“We just thought people would enjoy it,” Goetz said.
The clothes the women select for the shop are all made in America. Soybu clothing is completely organic – made out of bamboo - and manufactured in Denver. The organic line is soft on skin and popular among many customers. Soybu clothing is especially good for those undergoing chemotherapy, Pai said, because of the soft fabric. Other clothing pieces the store carries are Before and Again T-shirts and tunics, B. Skinz skorts and shorts and Jude Connally dresses.
Although the clothes at Elements within Zinc are not all organic, many are created by companies who strive to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
Additionally, “Most are women designers,” said Pai, some of whom are moms like themselves. Despite how they are made, the clothes are “still really washable and wearable,” said Goetz.
Elements within Zinc started four to five months ago and Zinc has been in existence for three years.
Callahan said she decided to bring Elements within Zinc into her store after finding out Goetz and Pai had an interest in selling clothes. They attended trade shows and then had some “successful open houses.” Zinc and Elements within Zinc “went hand in hand,” Callahan said.
And though Elements within Zinc has only been open for business for a short time, they are getting more exposure as a vendor at the Westborough Farmers’ Market every Thursday from 1-6 p.m.
Goetz said they got involved with the Westborough Farmers’ Market after speaking with Dave McMahon, co-executive director of the Dismas House and one of the founders of the town’s first market. Pai and Goetz said they are excited about being vendors at the market.
“We will be bringing attention to lines we like,” Pai said.
Some of the clothing brought to the Farmers’ Market includes pieces by Soybu, B. Skinz and Joanne Connally. Callahan will also have items at the Farmers’ Market from her store Zinc, including products such as 95 percent recyclable bags and totes, all-natural olive oil soaps, unique jewelry, handmade bracelets and clean-burning candles.
Pai and Goetz said that although they are just starting out, the experience has been rewarding and enjoyable.
Goetz said it is exciting to see people in the community wearing clothes from the store. “It’s fun to see that other people like what we like,” she said.
“This whole thing is an adventure,” Pai said.
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