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Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW Center Square is becoming known as the hub of commerce in East Longmeadow, just as the infamous rotary is known as the hub of travel. The shopping center hosts a coffee shop, a pharmacy, a restaurant, a bank and more. Kate Gray, a women's boutique, can now be added to that illustrious list. The boutique officially opened last Thursday. It has available everything from ornate gold necklaces, rings and bracelets, belts, purses and scarves to tops and bottoms from a variety of American and European designers. Kate Vishnyakov, owner of Kate Gray, said the apparel and accessories are for "a modern woman." "Fashion and style are a mind set, a lifestyle," she said. "These items are for people who would appreciate personal touches because they reflect their personalities. These clothes are for real women." She added that her store is "definitely hip" and that she wants it to be seen that way in the community. "It's easy to be hip when you're young," Vishnyakov explained. "My purpose in life is to find clothes for those in their thirties, forties, fifties, that look great and are comfortable." Vishnyakov said she's had a lifelong love of fashion and the fashion industry. When she was five years old, she began to design and sew outfits for her dolls. She was designing and sewing all her own clothes by 14. She attended Moscow State University of Design and Technology and studied Design and Technology for the Apparel Industry. After graduation, she began to manage the production of collections for Russian designers. She and her husband Anatoli moved to the United States in 1996. In 2002, she began work as a sales associate at Yale Genton before being promoted to manager of the women's department. "I learned all I could learn in that position," Vishnyakov wrote in a release. "I am now ready to start my own retail women's clothing business." Kate Gray's grand opening brought out some prolific well-wishers from the East Longmeadow community, including Planning Board members Marilyn Richards, Pete Punderson and Tom Morrissette, Planning, Zoning and Conservation Director Robyn MacDonald and State Reps. Angelo Puppolo and Mary Rogeness. Puppolo presented Vishnyakov with citations from both the House of Representatives and the State Senate. He congratulated the new store owner and thanked her for choosing to set up shop in East Longmeadow. "We welcome Kate Gray to Center Square, which is becoming the shopping center of the universe," Rogeness joked. When asked how she felt about seeing such a large turnout, Vishnyakov said, "I'm ecstatic. This is beyond my expectations. When you're growing up, you think of all the things you want but never think you're going to get. This is everything I've always wanted. I feel blessed." She thanked her friend and neighbor, Judy Matt, president of Spirit of Springfield, for helping her and supporting her along the journey. Kate Gray is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.kate-gray.com. | ||||||
