Small Business Spotlight: Nicole Ehrbar of The Grey Pearl

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, The Aurelian welcomes Greenwich Village’s The Grey Pearl for a two week pop-up beginning May 6 that brings some of owner and founder Nicole Ehrbar’s favorite things straight into members’ hands. Ehrbar opened the University Place home goods shop two years ago, after leaving a 20-plus year career in public relations. “I wanted to do something more purposeful,” says Ehrbar. “It brought together everything I wanted to do: connect the local community, work with small designers and artisans, give artists a platform…”

            Since opening, the shop has done just that. In addition to joining the bustling and tight-knit community of the Village, The Grey Pearl has brought a new service to those who live and work in the area. “People don’t want to buy gifts online,” says Ehrbar, who has gotten close to both her customers and designers. “Gifts are often last minute, but they still want them to be thoughtful and special.” That means stocking the store with unique finds from not just around the world, but around the corner. One of Ehrbar’s most exciting discoveries in opening The Grey Pearl was that customers will often stop by not only to shop, but to share their own favorite artisans — or their own talents. “People come into the store and show me their work, or a friend will come in and show the work on their behalf,” she says. “That’s been really interesting. Finding small, local designers who don’t have a presence and you wouldn’t know unless they had come in and introduced themselves.”

            For 2024 Ehrbar says two trends jump out in the home and gifting world. First is the return of silver, something she says brings a classic look with a new, modern edge. Also on her radar is an interest in vintage, especially when it comes to glassware. “No matter what vintage I put in the store it sells,” she says, noting that the expanse of social media has made it more difficult for people to find things that are unique. “Plus, [vintage pieces] tend to be really good quality.”