BHS Alum, Bridgeport Resident Matt Spatafore Cuts Ribbon on New Hometown Market Place Business
By Jeff Toquinto on November 02, 2017 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
EDITOR'S NOTE I: This story appreared Sept. 2 on Connect-Bridgeport. Today, the official ribbon cutting was held in Clarksburg for this BHS alum and city resident's business. The above ribbon-cutting photo was provided courtesy of the City of Clarksburg and Dominique Spatafore.
A lot of people like to say they have salesmanship and business in their blood. Bridgeport High School alum Matt Spatafore can prove it.
The 2001 BHS graduates last name is likely a familiar one. For those familiar with the business “Jack’s Furniture Center” at Eastpointe that has its roots in Clarksburg from decades ago, it’s where Spatafore’s love of business comes from.
“My dad is an entrepreneur and my grandfather was, too,” said Spatafore. “I believe I was born to be in business.”
His father is Sam Spatafore, who is one of the owners of “Jack’s Furniture Center.” His grandfather, also named Sam, was called “Jack” and according to Matt the one the store was named after.
Matt Spatafore, however, isn’t part of that business. The lifelong city resident has a business all his own and it just so happens to be located directly between Jack’s and A.C. Moore at Eastpointe. The new business is called “Hometown Market Place.”
“This is my first business venture and I’m hoping to do well and the way this is set up, if I do when then others are doing well,” said Spatafore.
The reason for that is that in the Hometown Market Place, Spatafore rents square footage to vendors. The vendor is required to keep the 
space that is rents stocked and organized.
space that is rents stocked and organized.
“There’s no set theme for what vendors sell here, but it’s a wide variety of things such a candles, wreaths, homemade soaps, signs and a whole lot more,” said Spatafore. “The vendors are allowed to be here if they want, but I take care of the sales as needed. We already have a lot of talented vendors and it’s really worth coming by and checking out.”
The setup is similar to that of a consignment shop, Spatafore said. He gets 15 percent of the sales as part of the arrangement. After roughly a month, things are going extremely well.
“It’s been amazing. I opened the doors for the business on (August 1) with eight venders and now I have 33 vendors and I have room for 
more,” said Spatafore. “I could host as many as 60 vendors and I would love to have that many.”
more,” said Spatafore. “I could host as many as 60 vendors and I would love to have that many.”
Spatafore has 8,300 square feet to work with. Right now, he’s handling all portions of the business.
“Traffic is great and sales are great. I really feel blessed with this,” said Spatafore. “I was born into a great family that I believe has respect from the community and my goal is to follow in their footsteps and keep that reputation. To do that, the goal is to treat all of your customers right.”
The business is open seven days a week. The hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. If you have questions about the business or are a vendor interested in taking part, contact Spatafore at 304-669-9852.
Editor's Note II: Top photo shows Matt Spatafore at the front of his new store, while some of the wares available for purchase are shown in the bottom two photos.
