Meet Jay Scott of Habatat Galleries

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Scott.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The gallery was started in 1971 by Linda & Thomas Boone (they are my business partners/ex-wife’s parents). They were just out of art school. They started as a general fine arts gallery but over the first few years transitioned to a gallery that specialized in Glass Sculpture. The gallery was the first of its kind here in the USA.

I met Lindsey (Tom and Linda’s daughter, my ex-wife and current business partner) back in 1999. She introduced me to her mom and the gallery. After a 2-month whirlwind summer romance, we got married. Lindsey was not working for her parents at the time. She really had no interest in being involved. After convincing her that she should get involved with this amazing business her parents built from the ground up, we both started managing the gallery. I started driving truck, shipping & packing and setting up exhibitions for her mom. She ran the marketing and sales dept.

After 7 years working for her mom, we decided it was time for us to open our own gallery. In 2006 we moved to Tysons Corner, VA and opened a branch gallery of Habatat Galleries. We owned and operated that location until 2011.

In 2011 Lindsey’s Mom, Linda decided to retire from the gallery after 40 years and asked if we would come back to West Palm Beach, FL to take over Habatat Galleries’ flagship location. We agreed. The northern VA location was closed and we have been running the gallery here in South FL ever since.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Unfortunately, the road has not been a smooth one. When we moved to Tysons Corner, VA to open our branch gallery location in 2006, our timing could not have been worse. In 2008, just one year after the gallery in VA opened, the housing market crashed along with the stock market. Sales plummeted and we had to learn how to run the business lean. It took until 2012 to really see a lot of our business come back. It was a trial by fire for sure.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Habatat Galleries – what should we know?
My business, Habatat Galleries is celebrating 47 years in business this upcoming year. The gallery represents over 80 national/international world-renowned artists. We specialize in the 3-dimensional art with a focus on glass sculpture. I’m proud to own a business that prides itself on excellence, service, and integrity.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My drive to succeed and problem solve has been the foundation of my success in business. I personally believe that you must keep your integrity over anything else. That may not make you the quick money but it sustains you over the long haul.

Contact Info:

• Address: 513 Clematis St.
  West Palm Beach, FL 33401
• Website: www.habatatgalleries.com
• Phone: 561.469.8587
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/habatatgalleriesfl
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/habatatgalleriesfl
• Twitter: twitter.com/habatatfl
• Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/habatat-galleries-west-palm-beach

Image Credit:
Jay Scott, Ian Jacobs

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