By Gretchen Webster

WESTPORT — The Faherty store, which opened last week on Main Street, aims to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that reflects the family-led clothing brand’s commitment to quality merchandise and “spreading good vibes.”

“We’re very friendly to people and dogs,” said store leader Jan Cory. “Everything here is super comfortable.”

Faherty Brand features a range of clothing and accessories for men, women and children emphasizing comfort and casual style.

Cory has a long career in the wholesale and retail fashion and eyewear business where she was an executive, and is thrilled to be working with direct customer contact in Westport, where she lives.

Every member of the store’s eight-person staff wants “to get involved in the community. There are a lot of things we plan to do in Westport,” she said.

One reason Faherty chose Westport for its newest store is that research showed the town’s “06880” zip code recorded one of the highest number of online purchases of its clothing, said sales lead Jack Downes. He is sure that Westporters will find clothes in the two-level store that they’ll enjoy wearing, adding that the store is offering 20 percent off as a “welcome” discount for customers.

Faherty Brand, with headquarters in Manhattan, is both a wholesale and retail business, and its clothing has previously been available at other stores in Connecticut, including Mitchell’s in Westport, Cory said. The Faherty store in Westport is the brand’s second retail store in the state, with the first in Greenwich. Faherty also has stores in New York City, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

The Faherty Brand is a family-owned company founded in 2013 by brothers Alex and Mike Faherty, and Alex’s wife, Kerry Docherty.

The brothers were surfers, traveling the world, and brought that sensibility to their clothing. “Every Faherty style has to be undeniably soft, incredibly comfortable and exude a laid-back style,” according to the website.

The company is also “environmentally mindful,” according to Cory, and socially aware, featuring some pieces with fabric designed by indigenous artists. “The inspiration for our designs come from all over the world,” Downes said. 

“Please stop in,” he said. “It’s a special experience.”

The Faherty Brand clothing store, 26 Main St., is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call 475-363-0144 for more information.

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Freelance writer Gretchen Webster, a Fairfield County journalist for many years, was editor of the Fairfield Minuteman and has taught journalism at New York and Southern Connecticut State universities.