A Window Into Westwood: How Décor & More Captured a Town’s Patriot Pride—and Why It Matters

On any given winter day, passersby on High Street know to slow down near Décor & More. But this season, stopping became inevitable.
 
Front and center in the shop’s iconic window stood a powerful image: Drake Maye, finger pointed skyward in victory, framed by the bold, playful caption “A-MAYE-ZING.” The mural, created by acclaimed chalk artist Joan Aylward (known as Chalk_Bos), instantly struck a chord. It wasn’t just art — it was a moment. A celebration of one of Westwood’s own and a snapshot of a town rallying together during a Patriots Super Bowl run.
 
Joan Aylward’s connection to Décor & More runs deep. An exceptional artist whose work has been showcased on the store’s windows for years — particularly throughout the holiday season — Joan has helped turn the Décor & More storefront into a seasonal destination for families, photographers, and passersby. This mural, however, felt different. It was timely, emotional, and deeply personal — capturing Westwood pride in real time.
 
Patriots Pride, Close to Home
 
The excitement surrounding the mural reflected something larger: Westwood’s deep and genuine ties to the New England Patriots.
 
In addition to quarterback Drake Maye, the town proudly shares connections with Josh McDaniels, the longtime Patriots offensive coordinator, as well as Mike Reiss, ESPN’s Patriots reporter who has covered the team for decades. Adding to the excitement is Sophie Weller (WHS ’19), a Patriots beat writer for Patriots Wire who is covering her first Super Bowl this season.
 
That pride wasn’t limited to adults. Ahead of the AFC Championship, students from Pine Hill Elementary School wrote heartfelt letters of encouragement to Drake and Anne Maye — a gesture that captured the spirit of the town. Drake later referenced the letters during a press conference, sharing how he looked through them for encouragement heading into the AFC Championship game. It was a powerful reminder that in Westwood, support runs deep and success is shared across generations.
 
What started as a window display quickly became a movement. Décor & More introduced “I Love Drake Maye” and “I Love Ann Michael Maye” shirts, and what is typically a quiet retail month turned into one of the most energetic stretches the shop has seen in years. The buzz wasn’t manufactured — it was organic, born from timing, authenticity, and community pride.
 
The Roots Behind the Moment
 
While the window captured the present, the soul of Décor & More is rooted firmly in the past.
 
Owned by Melissa Lucier, the shop has been a staple in Westwood for more than 35 years. What began as a small, family-run business in Dedham — built on her mother’s background in commercial interior design — found its way to Westwood in the late 1980s thanks to a chance conversation and a now-legendary moment involving a crumpled piece of paper and a trash barrel. When it landed inside, the decision was made.
 
Décor & More has been part of Westwood ever since.
 
Melissa still stands inside those same four walls today, having watched the store evolve alongside the town. Ask her what’s kept it going when so many others haven’t, and the answer is simple: relationships.
 
Customers don’t just shop here — they grow up here. One longtime patron once told Melissa, “We’ve seen the phases of your life through the store.” From dog-themed gifts to baby items, toys, graduation décor, and the now-iconic 02090 college send-offs, Décor & More has evolved naturally, never afraid to change, but never losing its heart.
 
Familiar Faces, Shared History
 
That heart is reflected not just in the merchandise, but in the people.
 
Working alongside Melissa is Liz Pappis Adams, a Westwood High School Class of ’84 alum and a beloved figure in town. Liz previously owned and operated High Street Market for many years just steps away, before eventually joining Melissa at Décor & More.
 
Their friendship and shared experience as longtime small business owners mirror the relationships that define Westwood itself. Here, customers don’t just recognize the faces behind the counter — they know their stories, and they come back because of them.
 
A Store That Reflects Its Town
 
The Drake Maye mural didn’t change Décor & More — it revealed it.
 
It showed how a small-town business can capture a moment, amplify community pride, and still remain grounded in decades of trust and connection. It showed how art, sports, and local relationships can intersect in a storefront window and ripple through an entire town.
 
At its core, Décor & More is more than a store. It’s a gathering place. A memory-maker. A reflection of Westwood’s past and present — and a reminder that when something is built with care, creativity, and community at its center, it doesn’t just last.
 
It becomes part of the town’s story.