November 19, 2025
More Than Just Gorgeous Clothing
By Michelle Madden
Photographs by Ryan Lavine
It’s early on a Saturday and Pinnacle is getting ready to host a make-up event. Caroline Klein (one half of the founding duo behind the women’s clothing store in Washington Depot) is impeccably dressed in creams and Chanel ballet flats, and has just lit a scented candle. Betsy Goldin (the other half) comes through the door, effortlessly clad in a winter floral blouse and tan jeans, holding bottles of champagne. She offers me a glass. It’s 9 am, but whatever. Welcoming guests comes naturally to Klein and Goldin.
At Pinnacle, no detail is overlooked, and craftsmanship is prized. Curated vignettes dot the store: A fringed leather jacket hangs art-like on a wall, along with a baseball cap, a handbag, and a framed watercolor; hostess gifts such as whimsical cocktail napkins are interspersed with stylish bracelets; a stack of books serves as a platform for a pair of boots; a one-of-a-kind green floral ceramic lamp adds warmth at the checkout counter.
The style of clothing at Pinnacle is best described as classic with a playful twist: hiking shoes by Voile Blanche with shearling peeking out the sides; a navy cotton blouse by TWP cropped just enough to feel daring; leather pants by SPRWMN that you could go for jog in, thanks to a drawstring waist; denim jeans designed by Agolde or Frame that just fit better; or a short-sleeved knit top by Guest in Residence, with three little buttons and a collar that make it anything but ordinary.
“We hope you’ll find that piece you never knew you needed,” says Goldin with a grin.
Though the new kid on the block, Pinnacle is not shy. They launched Titus Road Design Collective where, on the second Saturday of each month, five local design boutiques engage in an open house. They frequently host trunk shows (a recent one was with Aztech Mountain, a ski-wear brand), hold food drives for local pantries, gather friends for mahjong nights and yoga days, lead hikes up Pinnacle Mountain (their namesake), and this month are hosting “The Twelve Days of Chrismukkah,” where the town is invited to holiday events and giveaways.
Supporting local is a core principle, and with a clear nod to the Gilmore Girls, they offer a candle called “I Smell Snow” by Literie. Local skincare brands V Reserve and Lines are available, and Jorga’s carry-all bag is, according to Goldin, “Prada quality without the price.”
Goldin’s past is in graphic design and Klein’s in operations. It was a 12-year friendship and a realization of a mutual love for design, clothes, and connecting people that led them to open Pinnacle this past summer. They shared a vision of a gathering place where you could go to not only find brands that you wouldn’t find within 50 miles, but also a space that felt warm and inviting. “We both love entertaining. Pinnacle is just an extension of our lives,” says Klein.
Their fashion tips for the holiday? Chocolate brown is the new black. Pair complementary textures, and go with the unexpected: a satin skirt with a casual striped sweater. If you don’t want to splurge on an entire outfit, buy one memorable holiday piece, and shop your closet. When party-shoe-removal threatens to ruin an outfit, pack a pair of light-weight Mary Jane flats like those by Vibi Venezia, which come in tweed and velvet; and most important, advises Goldin, “Don’t save your party clothes for a party. If you love it, wear it!!”
“Come back later on!” Goldin and Klein say as I leave the store. ”There will be a truck selling floral arrangements out front, and the champagne will be open.”
6 Bee Brook Road, Washington Depot —thepinnaclect.com
