It takes a team of two at MAISON 10 to operate a successful, community-driven storefront.
Henri Myers, 53, and his partner, Tom Blackie, are creating the next wave of empowering consumers to make ethically informed choices while introducing and showcasing the work of talented and emerging artists.
“Allez Les Jeunes,” French for “Go Young Ones,” the newest exhibit at MAISON 10, is more than a title; it is a new perspective from artists under 30, representing the hope, hunger, and point of view we are all trying to capture.
The hand-selected artists include Aaron Muntner, Banko, Deona Lizette, Elaine Mou, Hannah Keats, Isabel Bercaw, Nicholas Lapresa, Phoebe Kalm Choi, Qian Liao, and Ryan Zogheb, who each contributed pieces that align with MAISON 10’s core elements: voice, brand, and a reasonable selling point.
“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been infatuated with French culture and Henri Matisse’s work — his sculptures, cutouts, and everything he created. When we were coming up with the concept, using French influences for the brand just made sense,” Myers shared.
Myers, born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and later raised on the West Coast in Seattle, Washington, always had an itch for business and entrepreneurship. After moving to LA and residing there for 17 years while working at PR and marketing firms, Myers realized there was an opportunity to create something of his own.
He owned his own PR, marketing, and branding company for 10 years in LA, “representing international clients across men’s, women’s, and accessories.” From there, Myers began working on his next project after deciding to pivot.
“I launched my own trade fair called Coeur (French for “heart”). That was prior to opening MAISON 10,” he said. “It was a lifestyle showcase featuring everything you see here, combining art concepts with fragrances, beauty, wellness, home goods, and design. I did that for seven years.”
After moving back to New York, it made sense for Myers to start a business here with his partner, who has 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Together, they brought an understanding of business, events, products, and design.
From there on out, MAISON 10 was born.
Being a small business in NYC is tough, but the market can open doors for a multitude of talent.
There is only so much that can be controlled, both externally and internally. “You have to have that drive to succeed, but also build clientele confidence so people respect what you do and keep coming back. At the end of the day, it’s about the customers and offering a concept they enjoy and want to return to,” Myers said.
MAISON 10 is run by its “10,10,10” method: 10 categories, 10 featured artists, for 10 weeks. The concept draws the community to its storefront.
“The 10-week cycle gives people a bit of FOMO [fear of missing out]. They know they have a limited amount of time to get or see what they like before it goes away,” Myers explained. The cycle creates a sense of excitement while bringing a fresh and unique experience to New York.
Artists such as Deona Lizette aren’t new to MAISON 10 or what it strives to do. Her work was shown about a year and a half ago during its all-Black artist showcase titled “We Are Here.”
“Her previous work featured raised, textured pieces inspired by traditional African scarification rituals honoring forebears and concepts of beauty. It was an amazingly strong showcase,” Myers said. Reaching out to her to participate in this show was a no-brainer. “These two new series are very different from her previous collection, but they still distinctly read as her style. They’re definitely worth checking out in person.”
MAISON 10 is filled with work by a select number of talented artists and its team is looking to further showcase talent around NYC and wholesale its items to the public.
“We host lots of collaborative events here, from live music and theater classes to poetry readings and sketch classes. It’s a welcoming space where people can discover art and support small businesses,” Myers said. “Always support small businesses!”
MAISON 10 (4 West 29th Street) is open from Monday–Saturday from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. and Sunday 12 noon–6 p.m. For more info, visit maison10.com and instagram.com/maisonten.
