Not Dot Shop is a unique business located on Main Street that is currently owned by 18 different people from around the area. The shop’s inventory covers a variety of interests, appealing to many. (Alicia Roth/Staff Photographer)

My first thought upon passing the Not Dot Shop for the first time was “What does that mean?” I had just arrived at Geneseo for my first college tour and was walking around Geneseo’s Main Street with my family.

The name of the store is an acronym that stands for “No One Thing Does One Thing.” All products sold are reused, recycled and/or repurposed, DIY projects and other interesting odds and ends. The products range from jewelry, home decor, antiques, games, books, pottery, knitted items and many other items, as Not Dot Shop’s inventory covers a multitude of different interests.

At first, Not Dot Shop’s building housed a florist shop. Building owner Marcia Podhorecki aspired to open a store that sold recycled items, however, so she reached out to some of her friends for help.

When the store opened in October 2010, it had five owners in total. Currently, however, there are a whopping total of 18 owners that share the cost of staying open by square footage. Each of the owners work part time at the Not Dot Shop.

Every owner takes responsibility for their own part of the store; they do inventory and price their products as they see fit. There are no paid employees either, as each of the 18 owners run the store similar to a co-op. The Not Dot Shop utilizes the people they have to make their organization run as smoothly as possible.

The owners don’t all live in Geneseo, though; they come from neighboring towns all over the county to help and do their fair share of the work.

The store displays a multitude of different styles and tastes, as each owner moves their own products so that there is something for everyone. Part owner Charleen Crump-Nesbitt described the shop as “eclectic” to address the difference not only in products, but also in the types of customers that come into the store.

“Everyone who comes in is different,” Crump-Nesbitt said. “We have students, we have locals, we have couples out for an afternoon drive and we have parents coming up for the weekend.”

A particularly attractive aspect of the store that brings this eclectic array of customers coming back is the low prices.

“That was part of our original mandate: that we wanted to make things affordable,” Crump-Nesbitt said.

The shop even won an award for “Best Bargain Store” by WHEC Channel 10 Rochester back in December 2016.

So if you need a gift for Valentine’s Day, your parents or a co-worker, the Not Dot Shop offers a unique place with affordable items. The store’s character certainly fits the ambiance in our small town of Geneseo.

As we collectively leave 2016 in the past, we leave the year of “realizing stuff”—as Kylie Jenner would say—behind for a hopefully brighter 2017. Take this year as an opportunity to refresh your fashion palette. Imagine this as your “out with the old, in with the new” style guide to kick off your 2017 right.

Looking into my crystal ball, I see that matte lipsticks are going out of style and will be replaced by lip gloss. One bonus is that they won’t dry out your lips like other matte formulas do, all while giving a shiny finish. If you aren’t ready to give up the clean and precise look of matte, opt for brighter colors in place of darks.

Full face contour is already halfway out the door, however, as 2016 has left us with the knowledge of highlighter. Highlighter offers a quicker way to give definition to your face without the complication of contour products.

Throw down your hair straighteners and curling wands, for natural beauty takes the spotlight this year. With ad campaigns like Dove and Aerie, natural beauty—including hair—is being widely celebrated. Wear it up or down, but simple and uncomplicated hairdos are très chic.

The huge self-expression movement is likely to expand in the next year. Males or masculine individuals may wear makeup while female individuals may wear masculine clothing. Fashion provides an outlet for individuality and expression—two themes that will be very popular among millennials this year.

Mom jeans have picked up momentum since the end of 2016. Let’s continue this trend of high-waist jeans that give you support everywhere you need. Distressed skinny jeans, however, are set to stay in 2016. A handful of rips won’t be considered a fashion faux pas, but also try to reach for cleaner looking denim.

Shades of pastel, especially pink, have been huge in the last year. With a heavy heart, I inform the public that saturated tones are going to be what to reach for in 2017. If you are looking for a new hair color, make this your year to get creative. Shy away from pastel and go for bolder colors.

Animal testing is out in the next year, so don’t let MAC’s branding fool you. Many other companies have high quality products that do not abuse animals. All Lush products are cruelty free, as well as other reputable makeup companies, such as Urban Decay, Anastasia Beverly Hills and Eyes Lips Face.

Creative leaps in fashion come at a time during a strange period for the country. Fashion offers a creative outlet to try new things and to be as big and bold as you want. Follow 1980s inspired looks, make fashion statements and experiment with colors and textures.

Be expressive and be yourself in the New Year.

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