Hudson Grace was born out of a conversation many years ago between partners and friends Gary McNatton and Monelle Totah. That conversation was about their dream to have their own shop. In 2012 after two decades spent working for big brands, the creative duo fulfilled their ambition, opening a tabletop and entertaining shop in San Francisco’s Presidio Heights. They easily agreed on the perfect name for their new venture, inspired by two beloved family members. Both Gary and Monelle have drawn on their experiences at Gap Inc and Williams Sonoma, acknowledging retailers Howard Lester, Chuck Williams, Mickey Drexler, and Don and Doris Fisher as mentors. Hudson Grace is filled with unique essentials, from dinnerware and glassware, to napkins and flatware. A focused point of view and assortment has allowed the brand to successfully grow to five West Coast shops within three years. The customer includes everyone from a young apartment dweller buying their first set of glasses to a couple buying for their second home. Both Monelle and Gary love to travel and enjoy sourcing Hudson Grace products in Italy, Portugal and France. Paris and the South of France are favorite destinations and they always return with antique silver pieces, all of which don’t always make it to the shops. They can both be found daily in one of their shops, meeting people and interacting with their customers. The Internet has allowed them to reach a national audience, who often visit Hudson Grace to experience the shops first hand. As every table setting always looks more beautiful with flowers, it was a natural brand extension for the newest Hudson Grace, in Brentwood, to add flowers to the mix. As the Hudson Grace brand continues to flourish Gary and Monelle would love to open a shop in New York’s Greenwich Village.
San Francisco, Marin County, Palo Alto, Montecito & Santa Monica, California
