MARKET STREET, IPSWICH MASSACHUSETTS, c. 1940
Where we came from…
Hey there, I’m the proprietor of Union Gift and Home, a small shop in downtown Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Though I grew up in New York City, Ipswich has been home for the past 25 years. It’s where my husband, Chris, and I raised our two children, Katharine and Colin, and where I’ve come to appreciate the town’s natural beauty, rich history, and sense of community that make this town so special. I recently discovered that some of the early ancestors on my mother’s side immigrated to Ipswich in the 1600s - which I never would have imagined!
I come from a family of entrepreneurs. My mother, Martha Wright, born in Seattle, WA, was a Broadway star known for her lead roles in the original productions of South Pacific and The Sound of Music. My father, Mike Manuche, the son of Italian immigrants, served as a pilot in the Pacific during World War II and later became a New York City restaurateur. From them, I learned the value of hard work, resilience, storytelling, hospitality, and doing what you love.
Where we are now…
Union Gift and Home brings together many things I care about: quality, craftsmanship, and connection. The mercantile-style shop features kitchen and home goods made by legacy American manufacturers, alongside items from smaller companies and artisans made by our friends and neighbors across the country with a focus on New England whenever possible. Every item is chosen with care and intention.
As part of Union’s commitment to quality and care, I'm also mindful of the environmental and social impact of the goods we offer. Whenever possible, I prioritize products that are sustainably made, locally sourced, or crafted with environmentally responsible materials and practices. I believe small choices, supporting makers who value sustainability and social responsibility, choosing fewer but better things, adding up to something meaningful.
My goal is simple: to offer well-made, well-designed items that people feel good about bringing into their homes…or giving to someone else. The word Union felt right for the name: it reflects the idea of bringing things, and people, together.
Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to welcoming you to the shop.
~Jenny
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