The Dugazon Shop sits at 19 West Main Street in Sharon, Connecticut.
Beginning August 27, the shop is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
Bobby Graham and Matt Marden.
Tables and shelves are filled with carefully curated items.
Tables and shelves are filled with carefully curated items.
Colorful paintings by Louisiana-based folk artist Alvin Batiste fill the back wall.
Dugazon is the brainchild of Bobby Graham and Matt Marden—an idea in the making since their very first date 21 years ago and now brought to life as a married couple. Both bring a discerning eye for design that shapes the shop: Graham, originally from South Dakota, was a fashion executive at Condé Nast, while Marden, who hails from New Hampshire, is a stylist and former Fashion Director at Details and Style Director at Esquire.
The pair traded in New York City for Litchfield County and eventually opened Dugazon in Litchfield County. “The minute we bought our home in Salisbury, all we could think about was how we could spend more and more time here,” the couple shares.
Their shop is a trove of finds from antique and vintage markets to well-known brands like Il Buco Vita, La DoubleJ, and John Derian. Every detail is a nod to the couple: Invitations, place cards, note cards from Mr. P’s Place Card Company—where the couple sourced their wedding stationary just a year ago; vintage needlepoint and quilt pouches handmade by Kim Hayes Designs—a family friend from Sioux Falls, South Dakota; stationary from Zucchini Fish by Carey Marden Shaulus—Matt’s cousin; used cookbooks (all $30), including River Road Recipes—a Junior League classic; Louisiana-made Elmer’s CheeWees; vintage silver hot sauce holders. It seems as if each time you look at a shelf, there are new items—all with a story—to discover.
Beyond the shelves and tables of finds, a multitude of colorful folk art by Louisiana-based painter Alvin Batiste—portraits of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, country music singers, and animals—fill up the back wall. In front of it, a telling selection of books. On my visit, the curation included The Rules of Attraction by Bret Easton Ellis, The Kennedys: An American Drama by Peter Collier, André Leon Talley’s memoir, and Diane von Furstenberg’s Book of Beauty. In a back room, a colorful wall of taper candles from Ester & Erik waits to be freshly cut.
There’s no better way to experience the shop than in person—it opens on August 27, with e-commerce launching October 1. For now, learn more about the owners below.
Can you please share with our readers what led you to start Dugazon?
Bobby shared with Matt on their first date 21 years ago his ideas and dream about a small retail shop called Dugazon. We knew it was time to start Dugazon when we decided to make our Salisbury, CT, our full-time home.
Where does the name “Dugazon” come from?
Bobby’s mother’s maiden name. The family immigrated to New Orleans in 1851 from France via Guadeloupe.
Describe the store in three words.
Welcoming, intentional, thoughtful.
Where do you source your vintage and antique finds?
Various places—it’s a BIG secret!
If you had to pick out a host(ess) gift from your shop, what would it be?
19-inch tapered candles.
Top hosting tip?
Always separate couples at the dinner table.
Can you please share a little bit about what River Road Recipes means to you? Also, do you have a current favorite recipe?
River Road Recipes reminds Bobby of his deep Louisiana roots and mostly his Mother Barbara and Aunt Kathleen. It’s all about ‘Hot Stuffed Tomatoes’—given it’s August.
Dream dinner party guests?
André Leon Talley, Edie Sedgwick, Henry Kissinger.
What are some of your area favorites in Litchfield County?
Restaurants: The Woodland, White Hart Inn, The Pink House, Stissing House.
Shops: Montage Antiques, Milton Market, Dutchess Trading Company, Michael Trapp Inc.
Towns: Salisbury, Sharon, Millerton
Things to Do: Boating on the Twin Lakes, Moviehouse in Millerton, Sharon Playhouse, dinner parties with friends at home, Swap Shop at the Salisbury/Sharon Transfer Station is epic.
