June Moon to Offer 'Eclectic' Home Goods in Berkley

She has defied traditional gender roles, shrugged off a job that wasn't fulfilling and is now bringing her rule-breaking spirit to Berkley in the form of an eclectic new furniture and design store.

Owner Maureen Popkin has staked her life savings on , which will offer midcentury modern and children's furniture, tables she has constructed from reclaimed Michigan barn wood, home accessories, pillows, rugs and more.

While June Moon is her first retail space, the Berkley store and showroom slated to open in November is the culmination of Popkin's lifelong passion for design.

"From just a little girl, I always loved making things with my hands," Popkin said.

Making her mark

Being the oldest child in her family, Popkin – who grew up in Connecticut – said she spent a lot of time working on projects with her dad and enjoyed getting into his tools, paints and shellacs. Then, in junior high, she was assigned to a shop class in which she made a set of candlesticks she still owns.

"I thought: Wow! How exciting to go from nothing to something. You have something possible, and you can put your own mark on it," Popkin said. "My parents really encouraged me. They said, 'This is what men do – you're as good, if not better.' "

Undeterred by traditional gender roles, Popkin marched into a woodworking shop and secured a job. It was only later she learned that her employer had hired her thinking she was a mole from the Connecticut Affirmative Action Office. The week before, the shop had been visited by an AAO representative, who noted an absence of female employees.

Popkin went on to study business and marketing at Northeastern University in Boston and spent years in the retail and design industry. Her former husband brought Popkin to Michigan, where she and her family settled in Bloomfield Township.

But in February, with both her children grown and gone, Popkin decided to sell her house and move to Berkley.

"I've been coming here for six years," said Popkin, whose partner, Jeff Allyn, owns . June Moon, 2743 Coolidge Highway, is located next door.

"This is really a cute town," she said. "There's something happening in Berkley that is about to explode, I think."

Executive Director Julie Melrose echoed that sentiment.

"I can't think of anything, in terms of furniture, we've had before," Melrose said. "I think it's unique. That little area of Coolidge is really neat."

Taking a chance

Popkin is banking on shoppers agreeing. After leaving a corporate job, she used the proceeds from her home sale, as well as her savings, to open June Moon.

"Like so many people these past few years, I wasn't exempt from economic downsizing and instead of feeling sorry for myself I thought it's time to do something about my situation, gain control over my future and put a 'plan' into motion to reinvent myself and use my talents," Popkin wrote in an invitation to June Moon's grand opening events (see below for details). "I believe if you can do it for another company, you can do it for yourself!"

Popkin said she aims to offer June Moon's products at "cost-conscious prices" and will be able to ship them directly to buyers anywhere in the continguous United States.

"I'm going to be more eclectic. I want you to have your traditional armoire with your midcentury modern chair right next to it," she said. "It makes for a really interesting look. The idea that things have to be all one style? I'm breaking the rules a bit here.

"I like to break the rules," she added, with a twinkle in her eyes.

Grand opening events

When: Ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Marilyn Stephan at 11 a.m. Nov. 5, with store to remain open until 5 p.m.

Where: , 2743 Coolidge Highway, Berkley

Why go: "Come in and introduce yourselves," Popkin said. "I just want to meet everybody. Welcome me to the neighborhood."

Cost: Free

What else: Visit June Moon's website for more information; a phone number and hours of operation are yet to be announced.

Clarification: The Nov. 4 wine-and-cheese reception that was mentioned in the original version of this article is a private event.