HOW WE CHOOSE

When you shop at Maria Luisa Boutique or ML by Maria Luisa, we certainly hope you are delighted with what you find – that you think you’ve found the perfect top, gift or maybe even new chair for your living room.

But we also hope that you get a little more out of your purchase – and that’s value.

We’re not simply talking about paying a good price for what you receive, though we certainly hope that’s what you feel.

We mean you walk out knowing your purchase was one of true value.

We know our loyal customers trust us to bring quality goods into our shops – and we appreciate your trust in us.

Maker Made

Gatherer Waxed Canvas & Antique Leather Bag

We’d just like to share here a bit about what we consider before we bring something into the shops for you to see– it’s certainly not a wishy-washy, knee-jerk reaction, a “Hey, that’s cute.”

For us, what we stock has to have integrity. Those who follow Fair Trade or eco-minded principles in their production processes create much of our merchandise.

We also like to spotlight fellow small businesses, especially those run by women. We love nothing more than giving talented artists or artisans the chance to share their talents and creativity with a wider audience, knowing that growing sales allow them to continue their work, which in turn supports their own families, employees and communities – it’s a lovely cycle we’re a part of, you see.

Fair Trade Options

When Maria Luisa Whittingham, founder and owner, meets with vendors, attends trade shows or travels the world to seek out new merchandise (a trip overseas is coming later this year – details to follow!), she is not going to be swayed by something that’s merely attractive.

She asks probing questions. She knows the answers she needs – and only then, are products brought into the Maria Luisa mix.

It’s a time-consuming process others might be tempted to skip in favor of fast-fashion and the latest trends, but not Maria. And we know that’s not why you choose to shop at Maria Luisa – and for that, we continue to be grateful.

Can’t wait to share what Maria Luisa has in store for 2018; new shipments are always arriving, so be sure to stop by- and always feel free to ask for the story behind our products. We love to share the background of our brands, our products and our selections.

We think that’s what makes us us – and has for 30 years (and counting!).

Shop Now

RUN (OR WALK) with MARIA LUISA

Here at Maria Luisa, we hope your 2018 is off to a good start.

If you’ve resolved to do more this year – for your health, for the community – then you’re in luck.

We have the perfect event that combines both – and will be plenty of fun to boot.

And there’s still plenty of time to join the effort.

As we’ve been mentioning on our social media the past few weeks, we’ve formed a team (ML Faves for GOOD) to participate in the Jan. 6 – that’s this Saturday morning – Resolution Run Nyack 4-Mile Fun Run/Walk to End Hunger.    

                                           

We are about to kick off our #MLFavesForGood 2018 efforts with a team participation in the Resolution Run Nyack.

The Nyack Hunger Coalition event will take participants through the streets of Nyack in an event designed as a "fun run/walk" to raise funds to help end the hunger crisis in our own Nyack community.

We'd love if you can participate, running or walking, on event day, Jan. 6, but we'd also be happy to simply have you out there cheering us along - or making a monetary donation in support of the effort. Register in advance to save $5 on the entry; or donate any time.

Maria Luisa Whittingham is striving to raise $1,000 and if the goal is met, will donate an additional $100 to the cause.

We're looking forward to starting off the new year on such a positive note - and thank you in advance for anything you are able to do to help the effort.

Sign up - or donate-> at Resolution Run Nyack.

Here’s a bit of the background:

It was back last summer when we gathered a team some 80 women strong to participate in the 30th annual Women's Distance Festival 5K Walk/Run. The July 8 event at Rockland Lake State Park in Congers, a benefit for the Center for Safety & Change, marked not only our 30th anniversary but also the event's 30th anniversary and Maria's own 60th birthday.

The sense of camaraderie, the importance of the cause and the funds raised by the team sparked yet another chapter in the Maria Luisa story - the formation of the  #MLFavesForGood initiative.

 Envisioned as a way to capitalize on the spirit of that special day, the initiative is a concrete way to continue efforts to help the local nonprofit community.