Meet Tabitha, store manager at Kiehl’s in the East Village.
AskaNewYorker: How long have you been with Kiehl’s?
Tabitha : I’ve been here for 19 months..
AskaNewYorker: What do you like most about your job?
Tabitha: The people. I just love my staff. I love working with them, teaching them, while actually making things happen here at the store! And of course, Kiehl’s is a great product.
AskaNewYorker: How long has Kiehl’s been around?
Tabitha: Since 1851…that would be 153 years. Amazing.
AskaNewYorker: Tell me about the products…do you have any favorites?
Tabitha: Well, it’s different with Kiehl’s. Everybody has their own favorites because they’re so specific for them. We have best sellers, but really everybody has their own best. My favorite would probably be the blue herbal bath gel. It’s amazing. It’s an amazing face wash! It’s great for my skin type. Another popular product is the creme de corp. It’s a body cream and it’s amazing for all different types of skin, very rich buttery cream.
AskaNewYorker: Do you have consultants who give advice on which products to use?
Tabitha: All of our representatives are all thoroughly product-trained, so they can give you consultations. They all go through at least a month and a half of training, so they are well-versed in the products. So, whoever walks in the store off the streets can speak to anybody and they’ll get a good consultation.
AskaNewYorker: What’s up with the motorcycles?
Tabitha: Mr. Morris, Alan Morris, was an avid motorcycle collector, so at one time the store had about 43 motorcycles. Slowly but surely they’ve been disbursed to the other stores that we’ve opened. We also have many that are still owned by Lorell that are still kept in the distribution center. The majority of these motorcycles are collectors items.
AskaNewYorker: Is this Kiehl’s store the flagship store?
Tabitha: This is the flagship. This is the first store, the largest in square footage. This is where it all began!
AskaNewYorker: What’s the Kiehl’s policy on animal testing?
Tabitha: No animal testing whatsoever. Our labels clearly state that.
AskaNewYorker: Tell me about these wings.
Tabitha: The wings are earned, actually! Every associate that goes through all the product training earns their wings. So, it’s kind of a badge of honor.
AskaNewYorker: Have you ever worn braces?
Tabitha: Never. It runs in the family. My whole family has great teeth.
AskaNewYorker: Tell us about your artwork (referring to tattoos).
Tabitha: This one is a buddhist symbol. This is the endless knot so it signifies no beginning and no end.
AskaNewYorker: What part of the city do you live in?
Tabitha: I live in Kew Gardens, Queens, which is actually a wonderful neighborhood. It’s like a wonderful little village. There’s an independant movie house, great restaurants, and it’s right by Queens City Hal. I love it. It’s amazing!
AskaNewYorker: Thanks a lot, Tabitha! Good luck at Kiehl’s!
