A New York City style Boutique!
Essentialz first opened its doors on September 4, 2006 by Pamela Merritt Kramer
(four days before the Clothesline Arts Festival). Located
in the Neighborhood of the Arts, on the Main Street of ARTWalk between the Memorial Art Gallery and Starry
Nites Cafe in Rochester, New York. 
I was inspired by the many unique shops that we visited in
Greenwich Village in New York City, when a new family addition was born in Manhattan on January 19th, 2006. I thought that Rochesterian's would all
appreciate unique products like those in the village - so when Atticus Kramer (picture on right with his new brother Owen) was born (Paul's Grandsons), so the concept of Urban Essentialz was born (nine months later we
opened).
We carry unique cards and books, beautiful jewelry, art wear and accessories, classic toys, home decor
and home wares, garden accessories, crystals, incense, Feng Shui solutions, and wellness products. Edgy Gifts and Cool Stuff. We look for products made from
sustainable or recycled materials by environmentally conscious companies utilizing Fair Trade practices. (Not all of our products meet this criteria, but the number is growing in our store.) The
environment is peaceful, and I love being there!
Who is Pamela Kramer?
I am a native Rochesterian, graduated from Greece Olympia High School and RIT. I am a mother, grandmother of three (Hannah and Dylan to the right and Atticus above), a former Kodak employee (Industrial Engineer - 29 years), entrepreneur, and
wife of Paul Kramer.
I have been committed to the
Neighborhood of the Arts for 8 years. I been on many Boards of Directors (School of the Arts, Writers & Books, ARTWalk, and Neighborhood of
the Arts Business Association), designed the gardens in the neighborhood (corners, median, and Writers & Books), renovated four houses &
Vincent Place (where the store is- with my friend and business partner Ray Justice.) I started 
Starry Nites Cafe in 2003 (because
Moonbeans closed and the neighborhood missed its meeting place.) I ran the cafe for five years, enjoyed the outside cafe and the music all summer long. The new owners seem to be enjoying
it as well.
I felt the neighborhood needed more retail, so I opened Urban Essentialz. And it suits me well! It is
a peaceful place to be, I get to surround myself with the things I love, and I love to shop! For You!
My husband, Paul Kramer, saved the Flatiron building from demolition in 1981 (pigeons
were living in the top three floors). It now has 18 loft apartments and 7 businesses (one of them is Starry Nites Cafe). He converted the former Highland Police Station to art related businesses (now called Imagine Square), bought and closed the Atlantic
Tavern, and purchased the worse properties in the neighborhood (and fixed them up). Half the neighborhood was boarded up when he started! What a difference his vision has
made! He is now working with the city promoting the value of Land Value Tax and how it can transform our community!
I am also a Spiritual Explorer. I had Holistic night on Monday's at Starry Nites Cafe for
five years. It has evolved into the Intenders Circle at the store on Monday Nights 7-9 pm. I
am also currently taking a two year shamanic intensive from Dr. Cecile Carson to learn more about cultures that lived in harmony with the earth and connected with the animal and plant spirits. Life
is so exciting! There is so much to learn!
What I shop for: Unusual items that are designed well, reasonably priced, something that I would want to put in my house! I shop for the store at the New York International Gift Fair (NYC), the International New Age Trade Show (Denver), online research, and whenever I travel if I find something I like, I buy one and contact the
company.
EMPLOYEES:I am
very blessed as they are Great!
Jennifer Peterson has worked at the store since we opened the first box in August
2006. She is a cute petite young lady with curly hair who can wear anything and look good, very professional and helpful. Every reorganization we have had, Jennifer has rolled up her
sleeves and jumped in - moving furniture, painting, assembling fixtures - you name it!
Judie Welch joined us in July 2009. She is a Fearless Living Coach and Organizational Development Consultant. I met her through the
Holistic Professionals Network (we are both founders of the organization.) She loves the store and helps us out Thursday evenings and fills in when we need her. She is coaching us all on the
words we use - we are always
learning!
Sharron Dow has been with us since Spring 2007, she has a full time job and she fills in when we need her. She's tall, has dark hair, a big smile, is very friendly and helpful, and is always organizing
something in the store! She inventoried the entire basement, organized it and input it all in our computer.
And Rob Inglis our Tarot Reader, Astrologer, and Mandela Artist. He is not officially an employee, but he is here most Fridays and Saturdays for readings. He is a very gentle soul who wants to help others. That is what he focuses on in his readings - how he can help who he is reading for.
Stop by and See us! Bring a Friend. You also get 5% off (up to 30% off) any regular priced item of your choice every time you send someone new in! Tell them to give us your name and we will put it in your customer record!
If you want to engage in a lively spiritual conversation, just ask for Pam! (Paul & I live behind the store in one of the loft apartments!)
Namaste (I honor the Divine in you and the Divine in me)