If home is where your heart is, then you should stop by Tracker Home Décor on Peases Point Way in Edgartown.
Tracker is the brainchild of John Murphy, Helen Koch, and Scott Patterson, who all met while working at Vineyard Decorators at the airport. Scott worked there for 16 years, John for 8, Helen for 4, and during their time found that they hit it off, which Helen attributes to their similar ages. Their Island experience (John and Helen have been in retail on the Vineyard for more than 20 years) has already helped many beautify their homes, but now they work under their own nine-month-old venture of Tracker Home Décor.
Upon visiting the store, you will find a vast selection of home goods in their comfortable, yet inspiring retail shop. There you will find a breadth of colors and a wide variety of items for your home. They have three furniture showrooms, one bedroom/bedding showroom, a fabric library, a Hunter Douglas window treatment display (which will qualify you for a sizeable energy-saving rebate), and a wonderful catchall room when you enter that has a little of everything. I was lucky enough to catch up with Ms. Koch this week so she could help shed some light on their numerous offerings.
To begin, Helen took me on a tour of their space, highlighting some of the items as we passed, and then I asked her some questions.
“We have furniture, some vintage as well as new. We also do re-upholstering in our Vineyard Haven workshop, which is done by our workroom manager/partner, Scott Patterson,” Ms. Koch elaborated. “He also does custom curtains, slip covers and full sewing services. Our bedding line includes mattress pads, pillow protectors, shower curtains, comforters, and bedding. Peacock Alley makes most of our bedding. The owner, Mary Ella Bitzer, also summers on the Island and in fact came in and helped us to set up the showroom.
Katryn: What made you decide to open a new business in this economy?
Helen: Well, Tom Fisher, who owns the building, approached John about renting the space. We thought there are not a lot of home stores in Edgartown, except for Past & Presents [and now Bramhall & Dunn in the summer] like there is in Vineyard Haven, so the location would be great. It is also very easy to get here from up-Island, which was another plus. Add to that, John had a following as he is really good at what he does [designing]. We just knew it would work and the location and everything just…happened. It has been great, especially with the busy summer retail and the continuous winter custom work.
Katryn: I have heard around town that you offer something for everyone. Can you elaborate on that?
Helen: We are trying to keep prices at a wide range, from a $10 pair of earrings to a full living room suite or garden statuary by Barbara Israel, who also summers here. We keep a variety of things from throw pillows [which are on sale right now] to felted handbags by Graf & Lantz, which is a California company.
Katryn: What are your most popular lines?
Helen: We have so many. Lee Industries for upholstery. Oomph is a line of upholstered chairs and wooden tables, mostly in bright colors that are made by Louise Brooks who is an Island summer resident. The ever-unique Stray Dog Design provides a line of mirrors, lamps, and stools made using paper mache.
Katryn: What are your winter hours of operation?
Helen: Open every day, except Wednesday and Sunday, from 10 am to 5 pm.
Tracker Home Décor is located at 89 Pease’s Point Way in Edgartown. Call 508-627-8725 or visit trackerhomedecor.com for more information.
