With a gathering of sleek, modular shop capsules lining Seaport Boulevard on the concrete canvas of Seaport Common, The Current is billed as a new retail “micro neighborhood.” The concept flows somewhere between a pop-up and a permanent presence, with a rotating cast of retailers filling the compact shops based on a common theme. The incubator’s first iteration is She-Village at The Current, which celebrated its grand opening on Aug. 2 and showcases nine female-founded brands.

“We knew we wanted to create something that went beyond retail to tell a story, and we considered many possibilities. Ultimately, we felt like there has been so much positive momentum around how women are shaping business, society and culture but that story hasn’t hit retail in the same way,” says Carina Donoso, director of retail incubation at WS Development, which is programming the area. “Many female founders still struggle to gain traction in the venture world, and we wanted to create something that, if successful, would be the sole product of visionary women.”

Photo (top and bottom): Kiera Slye

Au courant at The Current are both local startups and national brands including Cynthia Rowley and Denver-based online interior design startup Havenly, which marks its first brick-and-mortar spot with its Hideaway Boston pop-up. Founded by Lee Mayer in 2014, the company offers by-the-room design services by matching clients with interior designers who create mood boards, layouts and lists of recommended products sourced from hundreds of retailers for clients to shop through Havenly’s platform. Ideas for seasonal updates and finishing touches are priced at $79, while the $199 package includes floor plans and renderings for total overhauls of a space.

Pop into Havenly’s Hideaway or fill out an online questionnaire about your project goals, budget and aesthetic before scheduling an appointment for a free consultation, which the brand’s design program manager Lauren Cox describes as an in-person version of their free online chat service. “The consultation is meant to address basic design dilemmas and start with next steps,” Cox says. “And we’ll guide you toward finding the perfect product or finding the right designer for your project to really kick it off and go down the whole Havenly experience.”

Photo: Holly Rike

In the chain-dominant Seaport, check out these Boston-based companies making a splash at The Current below:

Booty by Brabants

Fitness instructor and style guru Kelly Brabants has already amassed an online cult following for her one-size-fits-most Rio de Janeiro-inspired leggings and athleisure wear. Now you can samba over to her first physical pop-up to test her textured spandex stunners yourself.  

bootybybrabants.com

Brass

Fashionistas Jay Adams and Katie Demo founded Brass to take the guesswork out of getting ready for work by crafting quality basics for busy women to mix and match. Our Closet, the duo’s new guide shop, simplifies things even further by letting women try on the clothier’s latest creations before ordering single pieces or curated kits from
the online store.   

brassclothing.com

Orly Khon Floral

Israeli-born artist Orly Khon creates lush floral masterpieces from a boutique inside Restoration Hardware on Berkeley Street, but her studio at The Current will allow her to bloom in her own solo space. Pop in for a lush new centerpiece, or for her to add some flowery flair to your next event.

orlykhon.com