Interview with Ruthie Barry
Scuttlebutt will be interviewing members of our special community over the coming months to add some flair to our weekly newsletter! Small business owners and managers, artists, students, our team members - people who we think you’ll love to learn a little more about!
Ruthie Barry is the Manager of Flora Style, a women’s upscale boutique with a focus on unique artists and designers. She lives in Fairhaven with her boyfriend, Evan!
Hi! Tell us about yourself?
My name is Ruthie Barry! I grew up in Dartmouth, and had mutual friends with Casey when we were kids (shout out to Kim Bancroft!)! I went to Boston University, and lived in Boston for a few years before moving home! I’m an Aquarius, and my favorite color is ALL OF THE COLORS!
How did you get connected with working for Flora?
I started working for Anne and Richard Sadow when I was 16. Anne wouldn’t hire anyone younger than 16, and I couldn’t wait to join my sister Annie at Flora once I was old enough. Back then, Flora was a flower shop that also sold home goods! I worked there through high school and college, and post-college I was working at an upscale flower shop in Boston until Anne and Richard asked me to move home and open and run their new women’s clothing boutique, Flora Style!
What is your favorite thing about what you do at Flora?
I love buying trips; that’s probably my favorite “job task”. But my favorite thing about my career is helping women feel great for big events in their life. I’ve helped dress women for funerals, career changes, weddings, baby showers. I’ve cried with them in dressing rooms, and just had so many special moments with our customers over the years.
Your role is so social! What do you do to relax with Evan, and alone, when you aren’t at Flora?
I love to sit silently on the couch and watch bad reality television. I’ve been a member of Boutique Fitness in New Bedford for 10 years, and enjoy working out there with a group of extremely supportive women. I hang out with my gal pals! And I’m a season ticket holder at The Zeiterion in New Bedford and always look forward to attending the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra there! I also ride my bike next to Evan while he’s marathon training (next one in October!!)!
Are there any new favorite trends you have that our Scuttlebutt readers should know about for this season at Flora Style?
Oooo good question! Fun hair clips (silly one but true), layered jewelry, statement earrings, maxi dresses and skirts are here to stay but with less tiers. Black is BACK for summer and fall, other big colors are red and green and pool blue; pink is here for three years (if you want to be cool, buy pink!).
What’s your favorite menu item at Scuttlebutt?
The smoked burger. Aaaaand breakfast pizza.
What’s your favorite place you’ve ever traveled to?
Sanibel Island, Florida!
What do you love most about the South Coast / what should we keep hidden so we don’t get too popular down here?
I love that we are a nest of small communities. Our beautiful beaches and our changing of seasons make me so incredibly grateful to live here!