NYC may be on the world stage for shopping destinations, but so many stores in the 068 zip code rival the New York shopping scene and give that home town touch. During the holidays, it is a fun experience to find these unique and exciting shops for the perfect gift to give and to keep. Our community is full of businesses who will welcome you and make your shopping experience a holiday joy!
She la la9 Bailey Ave. – Ridgefield
The newest retailer to join Bailey Avenue, She la la is another beautiful addition to the street’s existing charming row of boutiques and restaurants. “She la la was born out of the desire to create a fun, affordable boutique that offered busy women something for all their needs,” says owner Sheila Grow. With existing locations in New Canaan, which opened over ten years ago, and Westport for the past nine years, Grow decided to expand to the Ridgefield community in the spring of 2022. With plenty of retail competition in the relatively small town, she feels that her store adds something very special to this community. “She la la is a one-stop-shop for most of your needs. We sell everything from jewelry, baby gifts, tween and women’s clothing, accessories and home décor,” says Grow. She strongly believes in the value of catering to her loyal customers and offers in-house personalized service, reasonably priced unique items, and exciting and fresh inventory. Like the store itself, She la la’s warm website has a user-friendly layout that is easy to navigate and allows shoppers to enjoy a pleasant shopping experience. Its selections are clearly categorized with beautiful images and detailed descriptions.With seasonal sales and other promotions and services, it’s a place where there is something for everyone on your gifting list. As the holiday season approaches, Grow is looking forward to participating in the town’s holiday stroll and to helping customers find the perfect gift for their loved ones, or even for themselves.
Miss Confident Boutique17 Danbury Rd. – Ridgefield
For many parents, shopping with their teenage daughters is stressful. The solution to prevent many gray hairs, reaching for another cup of coffee (or a glass of wine), or booking a therapy session is easier than you think. Miss Confident Boutique is the answer to your tween and teen fashion dilemma. Owner Brooke Wyatt greeted me with a warm smile and welcomed me to tween and teen fashion paradise. From casual to semi-formal clothes, room decor to jewelry and fun gifts, this store has everything to offer for all occasions throughout the year.Sitting on a plush turquoise loveseat sofa with a shaggy white rug, I felt like I went back in time to when I was a teen talking to one of my girlfriends. As a mom of two daughters who were eleven and thirteen years old, Wyatt recalls the struggle of finding clothes that all three could agree on. “There was so little out there that was age appropriate…everything was either too short or too long,” Wyatt says. In addition, the sensory overload and lack of personalized service made the shopping experience an instant migraine for Wyatt. The balance of finding clothes that were sophisticated and still age appropriate led Wyatt to solve this major dilemma by opening her own store. In October 2019, Wyatt opened Miss Confident, a name that her eleven-year-old daughter Camille came up with which truly resonated with the store’s mission. The Ridgefield community and beyond celebrated with joy and relief that there was finally a store that understood their daily fashion issues. Unfortunately, only a mere five months after opening, the pandemic suddenly shut everything down. The lockdown brought uncertainty and fear, but with optimism and a tech-savvy attitude, Wyatt built her website featuring her inventory. She also offered complimentary local deliveries, curbside pick-up and (eventually) private appointments at the store. When the world reopened, so did Miss Confident. The store is neatly organized according to occasion: casualwear, semi-formal, denim, and loungewear with (sizes range from girls 7-16 and juniors) and other categories; including jewelry, hair accessories, totes, room decor, and gifts.A passionate individual who cares about her community, Wyatt is always helping out at local schools, sports and many charities. Her loyal customers know that she understands both their needs as a parent, as well as the physical and emotional changes that their girls are going through. Wyatt plans on continuing to expand Miss Confident’s impact for their shoppers and provide a stress-free experience.
Bella Home90 Danbury Rd. – Ridgefield
Located next to Starbucks, Bella Home boasts a beautiful curated collection of home decor, accessories, apparel, and gifts. The multitude of merchandise makes a Bella Home gift one that will be truly treasured. Nicole Interlandi, owner and buyer for Bella Home, grew up in Ridgefield. During her summers home from college, she took a job as an intern at the store. After graduating, Interlandi was working as a media buyer in the city, when she spoke to Robin Weber, who was Bella Home’s owner at the time. Weber was ready to move on and Interlandi’s dream came true; she became the new owner of Bella Home. With relatives in the area, Interlandi appreciates support from family – her father owns a wine shop in Darien and her sister is Bella Home’s accountant and co-partner. As buyer for the store, she looks for unique pieces that she personally would like to receive as a gift. Labels such as Mariposa, which Interlandi remembers selling in college, will always be a staple in her shop. Annie Caravelli’s items featuring Ridgefield’s zip code is another customer favorite. With apparel being the newest addition to the store’s inventory, Interlandi actively attends major trade shows, such as Coterie New York, where she looked for fresh fashion lines for the spring season.As the holidays approach, Interlandi is excited to receive her customers’ wish lists and for her team to find that perfect item. With complimentary gift wrapping, shopping at Bella Home is comfortable and effortless. “One of the best compliments I get is when someone tells me that they love to receive a gift from Bella Home,” says Interlandi. Interlandi always keeps the store’s door open, finding it a great way to welcome people in. “Sometimes customers just want to come in and say hello,” says Interlandi.
nancy O103 Danbury Rd. – Ridgefield
Entering Nancy O’Connell’s delightful namesake store, nancy O, one would expect to find a variety of yarn and knitting accessories, but there’s also exquisite and unique jewelry, handsome men’s ties, handcrafted handbags and much more. A nook of soft and sweet baby items from sweaters to puppets and even a handmade crochet mobile would all make such special gifts.Eye-catching displays of yarn in a variety of textures and colors offer an enticing inspiration for potential knitting projects. Many of these special items are fair trade, handcrafted products imported from around the world. Adjacent to the yarn section is the knitters’ workshop room where nancy O holds classes for beginners to seasoned knitters. O’Connell describes herself as a “rebounded knitter,” someone who knitted in the past, took a break and has gone back to the craft. “The important part of knitting is not the product, it’s the process,” says O’Connell.O’Connell opened her store after decades of working in the marketing industry in New York, raising a family, and having a busy life. The store moved to a few places in town, until finally settling in Copps Hill in 2019. The current location offers plenty of parking and is convenient and accessible to all.Being an entrepreneur, especially a store owner, has its stress and major responsibilities. However, O’Connell loves living in Ridgefield, walking to the store, to town and being active. She wanted to create a store that would bring a common interest and interaction within the community. Her customers love attending workshops, finding a special gift, and looking around to see what’s new. “I plan to keep going with the store until it’s not fun,” says O’Connell.O’Connell is looking forward to the holidays where the town is so festive and cheerful. With a very busy gifting season ahead, she will offer extended shopping hours, complimentary gift wrap, additional holiday merchandise and special workshops.
The Angel Cooperative51 Ethan Allen Hwy. – Ridgefield
The moment one enters The Angel Cooperative, the scent of lavender and sage greets you and there’s a sense of being in a spiritual and sacred space. Loose crystals made of quartz, amethyst, angelite and carnelian (and many other types) are beautiful to look at and touch. Soft pillows and blankets, spiritual books and oracle decks, chakra candles, soothing essential oils, bright jewelry and so many other specialty items caught my eye.Christy Abate co-owns The Angel Cooperative with long-time friend and real estate agent, Laura Ancona. Abate, a professional stager, and with almost two decades of retail experience, has an eye for aesthetics. In addition to both Abate and Ancona’s impressive careers, Abate is a Reiki Master and a therapist in a variety of healing methods. She has a careful and mindful approach to merchandise selection; most are fair trade, and she knows the item’s origin and material. Open daily, the store and spiritual room offer a variety of products, workshops, and services. “We are looking to create a sense of harmony and balance. It’s a place of healing and a sacred place for people to come,” says Abate.One unique feature is the Shungite Room, the only one of its kind in the U.S. It is a 13’x13’ room made of two tons of Shungite crystals that cover the entire room with healing energy and other holistic benefits. The Angel Cooperative is a labor of love by Abate and Ancona. Their customers give them advice on interesting items that they should carry in the shop. Abate and Ancona consider them their best educators.
Blue Star Bazaar239 Danbury Rd. – Wilton
Megan Abrahamsen’s newly renovated store, Blue Star Bazaar is a large, open, decluttered space, with fresh new paint, beautiful hardwood floors and natural light. The store carries clothing, accessories and gifts for men, women, youth and babies too! Abrahamsen’s career in retail began as a sales associate at Boyds in Wilton when she was in high school. Years later, with an undergrad and MBA degree, as well as a remarkable professional background (focusing on strategic planning and buyer for multi-billion dollar retail corporations), there is no doubt that she’s passionate about the retail world. Once she became a mother, she left her job in Manhattan and turned her attention to raising her growing family. In 2007, with two baby boys and a creative mind, Abrahamsen started refurbishing and painting step stools, picture frames, rocking chairs and whatever she could transform. Her hobby soon became a money-making gig where a booth at a fair eventually grew into a store. In 2015, Blue Star Bazaar moved into a larger space where they experienced tremendous growth and established its reputation. Intrigued by the name, why Blue Star Bazaar? “I wanted a name that is based on sound and visuals, the image of the star and the universal color of blue, both together made sense,” Abrahamsen says.It’s no secret that this store is special, with labels such as Beyond Yoga, Love Token, Kut, Hammitt, Haute Shore and Wilton Chic; Abrahamsen carefully chooses unique and fresh merchandise and strives to support local and small business companies. Furthermore, her team adds the spark that makes the store so special. They are friendly, knowledgeable, eager to help, and love working there. Loyal customers adore shopping while chatting with Abrahamsen and her team. It’s not just a bazaar, it’s truly a place surrounded with love, detail, and community.
The Historical Christmas Barn at Lambert House150 Danbury Rd. – Wilton
Located in the oldest house in Wilton, this store is both a destination for those who love Christmas and historic landmarks. Step inside this old colonial barn and you will be transformed into a magical fairy tale. For Jennifer Bean, who owns the Christmas Barn with her husband Gary, the holiday season has always been a festive time. “One of my great childhood memories is visiting England at Christmas time. My family had an unforgettable dinner at a restaurant in what was formerly a coal cellar, with lots of small cozy rooms. The decorations were enchanting. The next Christmas, we duplicated that scene at home with dozens and dozens of glass ornaments that we hung from our ceiling,” says Bean.The Christmas Barn’s large space is home for thousands of domestic and international nutcrackers, Santas, fairies, ornaments: items destined to be family heirlooms for generations and become someone else’s cherished memory of Christmas. They are very proud to be the exclusive retailer to offer Patricia Breen Designs, who each year design a limited collection of ornaments in their studio in Krakow, Poland. “We also have many other wonderful things such as handmade mittens, scarves, and wraps, as well as soaps, candles, teas, and candy,” says Bean. Every corner of the store will bring a smile to children and adults of all ages. Jennifer and Gary Bean have been owners of the store since 2009 when one of Jennifer’s favorite stores was for sale and of course had to buy it. In 2012, The Christmas Barn moved to its current historic landmark which gives the store an authentic and nostalgic presence. The Christmas Barn is open seven days a week all year round, but the holidays are extra special at the store. Every weekend they plan on offering complimentary mulled cider from the antique sleigh on the porch to enhance the festive atmosphere for their customers.
Fleur de Lis4 Long Ridge Rd. West – Redding
The fleur de lis is one of the most worldwide famous emblems that has been around for centuries. European royalties have used the image on their crowns, coins, and coats of arms to name a few. It’s also the name of a wonderful antique shop in Redding. Dottie DeLuca, owner of Fleur De Lis Antiques and Interior Design LLC, has 35 years’ experience dealing in antiques. Prior to that, she was an ambitious and talented dancer: she was a Radio City Music Hall Rockette and appeared in many major Broadway shows. After many years on stage, she decided to retire once her son was born and devote her time and love to her family. In 2011, Deluca and her husband found a restaurant in Redding that was closing its doors after thirty years and selling its historic 1870’s building. With combined forces of creativity and structural knowledge, they remodeled and transformed the place.DeLuca loves things that are beautiful so finding antiques and vintage pieces has been a hobby of hers even before she had a store. She decided that her collection of antiques gathered throughout the years would be a great foundation to starting her own business, eventually becoming a secret spot for collectible dealers and other clients of that niche. The large place that was once a restaurant is now Fleur De Lis, an antique and vintage interior design store filled with alluring treasures of high end, mid-century fixtures, paintings, jewelry and more.DeLuca had been selling domestically and internationally online since 2012, but when Covid hit, Fleur De Lis’ online presence doubled its sales. DeLuca has met various actors and Hollywood elite that come to the store and purchase beautiful additions to their home, production set or showrooms. On a regular basis though, interior designers are her main customers furnishing vacation homes in coastal areas and looking for statement pieces. Her favorite piece of all time? “It would be the three-dimensional 1970’s mixed metal wall fixture by Curtis Jere. It was one of a kind,” says DeLuca. DeLuca, who treasures the life she made here for her family is looking forward to moving with her husband to the warmth of the south. Once there, she sees herself continuing her love for beautiful pieces in interior design and artwork. •
