Pink on Palmer's 10th Year at Busy Larchmont Intersection

Written by Leslie Yager

A stone’s throw from the Larchmont train station, Pink on Palmer has anchored the busy intersection of Palmer and Chatsworth since 2003. The Mother-daughter team of Judy Graham and daughter Abbie Durkin refurbished what was previously a stationery store and set out to create a new beauty product shopping experience.

“The concept was bath and body products plus skin care and makeup,” said Graham at her store, which will celebrate its 10th year in business this November.

“The stationery store sold lottery tickets and had a drop ceiling,” recalled Graham who described a major renovation of the space at 1907 Palmer Ave. as “a ton of work.”  Depicting the store’s success as “dumb luck” with a self-deprecating manner, Graham said, “We opened at a time when money was not an issue and did well.”

Pink on Palmer weathered a dip in business in 2008. “People weren’t buying $10 bars of soap,” Graham recalled. “I know and can explain the difference between our soap and a utilitarian bar from the drug store,” she said, “But,” she conceded with a nod to the rough economy, “This isn’t a store of needs.” Still, since that dip, the store has rebounded and flourished, turning luxury into necessity for many customers.

“I sell what I like and it’s great when people like what I’m selling,” said Graham, who explained that American women are increasingly aware of the importance of skincare. “Use good sunscreen and skincare products not only to prevent cancer, but to avoid and put off wrinkles.”

“French and European women are much better at taking care of their skin,” said Graham. “In Paris on any given Saturday, the pharmacies are packed with women trying out different products. They establish the habit of taking care of their skin very young.”

Graham said Dr. Dennis Gross, Darphin, and Mario Badesco are popular skincare lines at Pink on Palmer. The Dr. Gross products, which include “daily peels,” are especially popular and her employees rotate through that company’s regular training sessions. “People will say there’s a lot of hocus pocus involved, but these are not chemical peels. They are very good for your skin. We use them every day ourselves.”

The store also sells cosmetics, haircare products, makeup bags, totes, candles, and unique gifts. They also book appointments for makeovers and eyebrow shapings.

Over this past Fourth of July weekend, summer employee Mary Kate Lyons, a 2nd grade teacher during the school year, made a dozen calls confirming the schedule for eyebrow shapings in between advising a customer on a powder foundation and blush. 

Pink on Palmer may not be "a store of need." But when a product makes a noticeable difference to a customer,  luxury indeed becomes necessity.

Pink on Palmer - Larchmont
1907 Palmer Avenue
Hours: Mon - Sat 10 to 6pm
Tel: 914 - 833 – 8955

Pink on Palmer - Rye Brook
12A Rye Ridge Plaza
Hours: Mon - Sat 10 to 6pm
Tel. 914 - 305 - 5775