Doers and Dreamers – Caitlin Millard
By contributing writer Tomm Morton –
From humble beginnings making clothes out of college, to designing clothes for her own store in Rhinebeck, Caitlin has expanded her creativity to a fresh new boutique in the Rondout. This weeks Doer and Dreamer puts a spotlight on a bold new creative branching out into Kingston, and a hint on where to find a new summer dress.
Your name: Caitlin Millard 
Business or organization: Zephyr, 35 Broadway, Kingston,
What is your approach to your business or occupation that makes you unique? I wanted the shop to have a workshop feel to it, and be open to the public so they can come and get personally fitted for customised dresses. With a range of the designs you can choose the size, the colour and the material, and we’ll work with you from there. I don’t know anywhere else where you can interact with the designers one on one like that whilst also finding retail.
Where are you from originally? I’m from New York city, but moved to Bard in 2003 and I never went back.
What brought you to the Kingston area and keeps you in this area? I was looking for somewhere to open a shop that didn’t have to be a primary retail location all year round but where people could walk in any time and see what we are about. Plus I love this neighbourhood, I hadn’t quite realised when I first moved in, but there are so many artisans and makers in this community, it just seems like a really vibrant place to collaborate.
What is your favorite hangout in this area and why?
I really like to walk up to Kingston point park on the rail trail here, I love some of these dilapidated old buildings too and how close we are to the Catskills, I go to Boitsons and Rough Draft Bar & Books, and of course our wonderful neighbour at the Brunette Wine Bar.
I have to say I love the entire Hudson valley, I like driving to Rosendale, a lot, as well as New Paltz. But I honestly couldn’t say.
Tell us something that we never would have guessed about you. I used to work on a lobster boat in Maine, they call it “Hauling traps” not “lobstering” as some people say. I was a sternman.
