The Heart of Curation:

A Mother-Daughter Story in Maynard

I opened the box of stationery, seafoam green printed with gold scallop-edged polka dots. The simplicity of the pattern drew my attention immediately. I ran my hand over the paper and envelopes; their texture was rich and substantial. Reading the tag, I learned they were made from recycled fabric. This was just what I needed. I wanted to send a letter to someone expressing my gratitude, and I knew that Inspired Bliss was going to have just what I was looking for. I bought that box and another in a muted pink adorned with silver stars—something I would use for another time when I wanted to make someone feel special.

That moment of finding the perfect, unique item is what Inspired Bliss is all about. Run by mother and daughter, Megan Summers and Charity Bliss Allen, the shop is a blend of their distinct styles—you see Megan’s love for vintage finds and clean spaces mixed perfectly with Charity’s passion for color, layering, and displaying items that seem to tell a story.

Their shared venture began in February 2022, after Megan had spent months peeking into the windows of 79 Main Street. She was immediately drawn to the character of exposed beams and old brick. Originally, she planned to take on the endeavor herself, but the space was so big she asked her mother to join her. For Megan, who has lived in Maynard for 15 years, opening the shop here was a must; she shared,“I want to see Maynard grow and succeed, and to be a part of that success.”

Despite their passion, the reality of running a small business has been challenging. “Having a retail shop is not for the faint of heart. We pour everything we have into the space,” Megan admitted. “Part of retail is moving items around often and thinking constantly about several aspects of your business—what’s working and what’s not. A lot of time is devoted to the store even if you’re not physically there: researching products, making things, being sure the bills get paid, you name it.” Megan admitted that it has been so much work that at times they have questioned their own sanity in keeping it going.

On a July afternoon an opportunity walked in the door. A location scout for an upcoming film popped into the shop. They needed a space they could drastically transform for one scene. Intrigued, Megan agreed to discuss the unusual request with her mother, and after multiple conversations they agreed to say yes.

A little more than a month later, the quiet shop was suddenly buzzing with film crew members. Charity carefully packed away anything she felt too fragile to entrust to others, while the rest of the stock was inventoried, photographed, boxed up, and stored away, readying the space for the crew to convert it into what they called “an Indian wedding store.”

While the filming itself was fascinating for both Inspired Bliss and the rest of the Maynard community, the emptied space provided Megan and Charity the impetus to reassess and recommit. Instead of having the crew put everything back together, mother and daughter wandered through the expanse of the shop and refined their vision.

Megan noted that the problem with loving beautiful things is that you want everyone to be able to see all of them and can end up with too much out on display. By trimming their inventory, they were able to better focus their careful curation. Though it is stylistically the same, the refreshed space, now opened up, highlights their unique blend of fun, inspiring goods, and prominently features Charity’s original artwork: assemblages made from vintage materials that evoke a kind of nostalgia. Megan says that anytime her mother sells one of her pieces, “it makes her happy that someone appreciates it. But whether people buy anything or not, we hope they feel happy and inspired when they leave.“

Inspired Bliss isn’t just a retail shop—it’s a story of a deep commitment to community. And thanks to an unexpected Hollywood boost, this small business was able to refresh their space and continue being a vital part of Maynard’s historic downtown. As for me, I’m making the very conscious choice to write more letters—maybe I’ll be able to spread a little joy during these difficult times.

Things worth taking a peek at (in my opinion—decide for yourself and report back!):
• Their simple but elegant baby and children’s items
• Small packages of fine candies
• Mechanical butterflies that will fly out of greeting cards
• Interesting vintage artworks
• Stationery and handmade paper
• Charity’s assemblages
And so much more.

Beautiful items lovingly placed in Inspired Bliss.