Martha Andrew Takes the Helm of Block Island’s Empire Emporium

On an island famous for its windswept bluffs, serene beaches, and effortless charm, one woman is quietly sparking a cultural revival. Meet Martha Andrew: metalsmith, owner of MarMar Boutique, vintage devotee, and now the vibrant force behind Empire Emporium, a summer pop-up-meets-gallery housed inside the historic Empire Theatre on Block Island.

Andrew’s connection to the island runs deep. “I was introduced to Block Island in seventh grade by a childhood friend,” she recalls. “Her family had purchased a home in the ’80s, and we would come romp around the island during school vacations and long weekends.” What began as a youthful getaway evolved into a lifelong love. She met her husband, married him on the island, and raised their children with days steeped in salt air and ferry horns. “My children have spent all of their summers on the island – starting as infants stowed under my checkout counter to now working behind my checkout counters,” says the entrepreneur.

That deep-seated connection fuels her latest venture. Empire Emporium launched in 2020, when Empire Theatre owner Gary Pollard converted the cinema into a retail space during the height of pandemic restrictions. “In a quick pivot, he removed the side wing aisles of chairs and filled shelves with the work of local artists and vintage clothing vendors,” Andrew says. The community responded with enthusiasm, and when Pollard looked for someone to take the reins, she seized the opportunity. “I’ll never not want to be on the island during the summer!”

The space – once a 19th-century roller skating rink – features tall ceilings, original woodwork, and a cool reprieve from the island sun. “It’s a sweet refuge,” she says. “Plus, it has the only stage on the island that’s not inside a bar.” Andrew plans to revive that stage with weekend open-mic nights and, eventually, live performances, bringing new life to a beloved local venue.

Inside the Emporium, Andrew curates goods from over 50 vendors across New England. “I’m trying to veer away from painted seashells and typical seaside motif crafts,” she says. “With RISD students and alums in our backyard, why not aim for more design-conscious, updated elements?” Expect punch-needled denim jackets by Eloise Mahoney, gyotaku fish prints from Alexis Wheyway (aka The Spicy Monger), upcycled lobster trap bags, and gluten-free delights from Iron Crumble Cookie Company. “It’s going to be hard for me not to fill my closet with ‘new’ pieces!”

Of course, managing artists who ferry their goods to the island isn’t easy. “Coordinating over 50 different artists and vendors from all over New England is a challenge to say the least,” she says. “I’m lucky to have anything on the shelves!”

Still, Andrew feels energized by the possibilities. “I’m hoping the Emporium becomes more of a creative destination rather than just a shopping venue,” she says. Her advice for others looking to start something meaningful in a small community? “If it feels good, you should,” she says, echoing a beloved saying from her grandmother that is now a guiding light for Empire Emporium.