ACE 2026 Specialty Retailer: Marissa Collections
By Karen Giberson
The Marissa Collections boutique in Palm Beach reveals itself less like a retail store than an impeccably curated home — one layered with color-saturated contemporary art, airy light, and the relaxed warmth of a space designed for conversation. Exciting details include bright sliding doors, chef’s-table gatherings, private appointment rooms, and a fully stocked bar. CEO Jay Hartington led me on a Zoom tour, offering a view into the heart of the iconic 50-year-old specialty chain as he ushers it into a new era of growth, innovation, and global influence.
Hartington was raised inside the business founded by his parents, Marissa and Burt, though he initially chose a different professional path. His early career in finance, M&A, and the oil and gas sector — experience he credits with shaping his sense of structure, discipline, and long-term strategy — ultimately sharpened his return. “The business is here today built on my parents’ hard work,” he said. “I grew up with dinner conversations about the store, going on family trips that somehow always turned into visiting designers. It’s in my DNA.”