EP 11: Meet the Fairy Godmother of the Rivertowns

She walked into a vacant space at the New Rochelle train station right after COVID. Pitched the city. They said yes. The rest is Rivertowns history. Flora White sits down with Melissa Panszi — jewelry designer, community builder, and the self-described Fairy Godmother of the Rivertowns — to talk about what happens when you bet on local makers, underrepresented artists, and the belief that there's a story behind everyone who made something. "There's a person behind every product. There's a story behind everyone who made something." What started as a one-stop holiday shop became something nobody expected: — An incubator for local makers — An advocate for underrepresented artists — A genuinely inclusive space in the community "Someone came in and said — it feels so inclusive here. And I'm like, that's what I wanted to feel." And if that's not enough — Melissa also once took a Beatles class in college. Studied every album, every era, every transition. Loved all of it. Then one night, John Lennon showed up in her dream. Flora's verdict: he visited you. We can say that. 🎸 📺 Also airing on Greenburgh Public TV, Channel 75 🌶️ Tag someone who needs to hear this. #EvolutionNow #EvolveYourStory #MelissaPanszi #MakeYourMarket #Rivertowns #WestchesterNY #LocalMakers #CommunityBuilding #SmallBusiness #Podcast #NowStreaming