Meet The Staff (click a pic!)
at 409 Highland Ave Davis Squared is positioned in the heart of Davis Square,Somerville. Opening in July 0f 2007, It seemed it was the manifest destiny of owner Melisa Ford Christie, who had managed Pluto, the neighborhoods previous boutique gift shop from 1999 to 2005.
With the departure of Pluto, there was a glaring void for another unique and independently owned neighborhood gift shop. After spending 18 months caring for her newborn son, Melisa felt it was time to evolve from store manager to store owner. With her inspiration, and help from her husband, Paul Christie, family, and friends Melisa was able to secure her beautiful storefront, from what was once a previously family owned watch repair shop which had been operating for many decades.
Melisa used her love of affective window displays and clean open space floor plans to create a new asthetic for the space. From the distinguishing industrial floor to its gothic welded steel display casings, Davis Squared projected a look that was funky yet connected to the diverse neighborhood.
With its continued success Davis Squared has become the intersection where experience met vision.
Chris
Chris may be little (Kenny constantly makes fun of his 5′ 2″ stature), but his visions are limitless. A graduate of the Art Institute of Boston, Chris brings his aesthetic knowledge to d2′s conspicuous window displays — which always draw people in from the opposite side of Highland Ave. He also weaves it into his own line, Well-Suited Design (sold at d2!), which repurposes wool suits into snazzy scarfs. When Chris isn’t managing the store, he busts his butt three times a week at boot camp with Mak (and Melisa), where, among other things, he learns how to put Kenny in his place.
Kenny
To be fair, Kenny makes fun of just about everyone, but he has a knack for helping people laugh at themselves. Funny thing is, Kenny has a soft side: he spends his spare time volunteering with City Life, where he advocates for tenant rights and social justice. During part-time shifts at the store, Kenny has been spotted alternately creating human rights banners and destroying pictures in fashion magazines. He thinks he is the tallest and best-looking staff member at d2.
Lissy
Lissy, who actually is the best-looking staff member at d2 (not counting Melisa), joined the crew part-time about three years ago. Lissy works behind the counter and behind the scenes — on the Facebook and the Web page. She has a big smile and a big heart; like Kenny, she spends a lot of time volunteering. Unlike Kenny, she loves to find the good in everything.
Paul
Paul’s also known for his good heart and good taste: he worked behind the bar at Gargoyle’s for 15 years, and a little bird told us
he plans to open his own place soon. Co-owner of d2, Paul makes sure the store has whatever it needs — from a super shiny new floor to a classy black cash register. In his free time, he stocks d2′s Zune with classic mash-ups and current tunes — while teaching his sons, Jackson and Ford, how to be respectably and responsibly cool.
Melisa
Speaking of cool, Melisa, mom of two and co-owner of d2, is totally invested in her family and community while always maintaining her distinct individual style: classic but slightly edgy. (Refer to the bold purple stripe in her hair.) Melisa has a hand in everything at the store, from buying to merchandising, and when she’s not busy as d2′s frontwoman, she’s working it three times a week at boot camp, where she keeps Chris on his toes.
