Our Mission

At The Eclectic Chic Boutique we strive to be a unique, diverse, and inclusive company. Our mission is to help our partnering vendors grow by helping to provide them with new opportunities and develop a prosperous and meaningful relationship. Our goal is to act as an extension of their business and help them expand their reach and gain more exposure. For our customers, we are known as a space where everyone is welcome to come and experience creativity in a number of ways. We are a place where patrons know they can find high quality products that are created with intention, knowing that their purchases are directly supporting their local creative community.

​Our Philosophy on Gifts

At The Eclectic Chic Boutique we believe that gifts are a special opportunity to show the recipient that you care and that you are thinking about them. While we do follow traditional gift giving holidays and celebrations, our approach to helping customers find the perfect gift is not so traditional. We help our customers find gifts based on the recipient’s personal interests and personality rather than focusing on gender, age, or familial role. We believe this approach helps give gifts a truly personal feel. Custom and personalized gifts are our specialty. Since we work with local makers and designers, your gifts can be tailor made to your recipient. In addition, we can create gift arrangements and gift boxes, so that your gift can stand out and make your recipient feel special. In 2019 and 2021 we were voted Best Gift Shop in Essex County New Jersey by Suburban Essex Magazine.

​Diversity Commitment & Initiatives

​At The Eclectic Chic Boutique, our mission is to build and foster meaningful relationships in our diverse communities. We value the teamwork between us and our vendors and community partners. Our goal is to help everyone feel welcome and safe in our space. We strive to create an environment of belonging and empowerment because we believe that communication and creativity helps to bring everyone together.  

​Accessibility & Inclusion Initiatives

At The Eclectic Chic Boutique we strive to make all aspects of our company accessible to both vendors and customers. We are constantly improving and implementing more ways for people to visit, participate, communicate, and experience us. This includes making our website and social media more accessible with accessibility software and devices such as screen readers. At our shop, the majority of our displays on the main floor are mobile, so we can make our shop more accessible for those with assistive devices or who can experience our store better with more space. Our shop is pet and service animal friendly. Our staff are always happy to assist and are trained in working with customers of all abilities. 

​Equality Commitment & Initiatives

At The Eclectic Chic Boutique we have a zero tolerance policy on discrimination of gender, race, identity, ability, orientation, or creed. We pride ourselves in having a welcoming space for those of all walks of life, this includes respecting pronouns, identities, and choices. We train our employees to make gift and product recommendations based on personal interests, styles and application. Our promise is to always listen and make improvements to create a positive shopping and crafting experience for all customers.

​Sustainability Commitment & Initiatives

​At The Eclectic Chic Boutique, we are mindful of our impact on the environment and strive to work towards sustainability and minimizing waste. We encourage our vendors to use recyclable and reusable materials in their products and in the DIY Kits we provide to our participants for classes and events. For shipments and gift wrapping we use recyclable, compostable and reusable materials and embellishments whenever possible. 

​Health & Safety Initiatives

​At The Eclectic Chic Boutique we are always mindful of our customers' health and safety. Our staff and teachers wear face masks at all times when working with customers or class participants in-person, and follow hand washing and sanitizing guidelines. We encourage doing virtual events and classes whenever possible. Disposable Face Masks & Access to Hand Sanitizer are available to shoppers and participants of in-person private classes & events.  

Owner and Founder

Kristen Zachares founded The Eclectic Chic Boutique February 2017. After 6 years of professionally creating crafts and bringing them to a variety of markets, shows, and festivals her unique enterprising spirit took off.  Over the years she created a network of artists and artisans she met at the various shows, and through her memberships at entrepreneurial organizations. She found the majority of artists she met wanted to be makers, and found it challenging to make product and market a business. Kristen was inspired to help these artists, understanding the challenge herself of being both a maker and a businesswoman. She found she had the passion and energy to market and promote artists' work, so The Eclectic Chic Boutique was founded. Kristen teaches craft classes and creates her own line of crafts, but her true passion lays in helping others and creating a community of creative personalities.