This balance of talents continued to benefit them as the business took shape. Haehn says, “Katie has always been passionate about being in the physical store, interacting with customers. I am passionate about creating our beautiful photography, working with our photographers and other producers to make something that feels like a beautiful brand identity and visual identity.” Haehn, who lives in California, manages the website, handles social media, and directs the seasonal photoshoots. “We’ve made the decision that it makes sense to do curated, stylized shoots seasonally, giving a real point of view about what the season is for the Post Supply,” says Bowes. “Hannah leads all of that. She puts together the mood board and sources, and she chooses photographers. Then I propose product and we narrow it down together.” Meanwhile, Bowes also gets to live her dream: being in the brick-and-mortar store and helping customers in person. She also manages the employees, keeps on top of inventory, and dispenses advice to visitors: “I feel like I’ve taken on this role recently of tour guide, where I tell people, hey, you need to eat at this restaurant!” she laughs.

The Post Supply launched initially as an online-only business (hence the evocation of the postal service in its name), but Bowes was always on the lookout for the right physical location. A few months after the online launch, she says, “I got a call from a local landlord that I had been in touch with over the years, who owns the building where my husband has his shop. He knew that I’d been looking for something, and he said this space had become available. I took that to Hannah and said, ‘This is the location. We need to jump on it. Let’s just hold hands and leap together.’” Haehn adds, “I’d been to this location with Katie many times before, too, because of the wine store next door and the fact that it’s right down the street from Brad’s shop, so I knew I liked it.” Having a builder just down the street—and in the family—certainly helped when it came to transforming the space. Bowes credits her husband’s company, Joiya Studios, with the design and build of the store, and notes that her friend Kacee Witherbee of Insides Studio served as a design and lighting consultant. The result balances spaciousness with coziness, with pale wood lining the walls and jute rugs spread out on the brick floor. “We just want everyone to feel welcome and cozy,” says Bowes.

The selection of goods (the “supply” part of the name) is purposely eclectic; a customer could walk in looking for moisturizer and end up also walking out with a new planter, some candles, and a dustpan. It’s part of its charm, a way to evoke what Haehn calls “an old general store where you would get your flour and your gingham fabric.” Bowes describes their curation process as asking a series of questions: “What are things that I love, and that Hannah loves, that we’ve seen in the world that we haven’t seen represented here yet? Who are the makers? What are the really special brands that we think people would love?” Tables and custom shelves hold glassware and body care products; a rainbow of candles adorns one wall while towels made of organic cotton cover another. A collection of books beckons. On the day I visit, Washington Avenue is shrouded in a chilly summer fog, and walking into the Post Supply feels like stepping into the living room of a good friend: it smells fantastic, good music is playing on the stereo, and I am warmly greeted. Bowes says, “At a high level, Hannah and I are always thinking about the customer: what would be a balm and a comfort to them?” They’re looking out for their guests, just like good friends do.