New to the Neighborhood: The One Well, 165 Greenpoint Avenue

© Kelley Bowen

As far as creativity is concerned, Kerry Jones does not like to put all of her eggs into any one basket. Before opening The One Well earlier this month, she worked as a personal chef in The Hamptons, cooking locally serviced organic food while pursuing sewing and knitting, developing her pillow line "3" (symbolized by a simple triangle), and planning her escape back to Brooklyn. "I've nourished people through cooking for long enough," she explained. "Now I want to nourish people in a different way." 

© Kelley Bowen

The One Well promotes the efforts of local artisans and "the global local"—meaning that the people Jones acquires goods from in New York in turn work with and purchase goods from people from their respective home countries. "I like the idea of supporting someone locally, but also supporting someone from a foreign country as well. Right now we have the work of artisans from Morocco, Thailand, and Mexico," Jones said. "It's double the benefit." It's remarkably similar to what Jones was doing as a chef, in terms of motive and means ("I only cooked local, organic food for my clients," she told me, a few times against the wishes of her employer). Her inventory demonstrates her commitment to long-term, community-oriented sustainability. Among the 25 or so clients is Recyled Brooklyn, a small Greenpoint company that makes tables, shelving, cutting boards and the like out of salvaged wood. Here is one of their tables on display: 

© Kelley Bowen

The name has a story as well. Last summer Jones and a friend were discussing how they both always find themselves balancing multiple projects, when a friend asked: instead of digging a series of small holes, why not dig one well and keep focused on it until you eventually hit water? Jones followed the advice. "This is my deep well," she said, though she admitted she gets to "cheat" a little bit in terms of focus. She designed the place herself, hand picks all of the artisans and their work (the line is in constant rotation), and, in addition to being fascinated with cooking and developing her pillow line, runs shop. She currently has a Grand Opening Reception planned for November 11th, complete with refreshments and entertainment. It may be a lot to take on, but the boutique certainly isn't lacking focus. Less a series of scattered products, and more like "a giant installation," as Jones noted, The One Well needn't worry about drying up anytime soon. 

© Kelley Bowen

The One Well, 165 Greenpoint Avenue Brooklyn NY 11222.

Phone: 347-889-6792.