One of our guiltiest pleasures is the gift boutique. So we’re tickled pink to feature Pink — a home goods and gift shop in Rye that we love popping into whenever we’re in that city.
There a bouquet of scents tantalizes the nostrils — even through a mask. Lacquered trays in botanical and seasonal patterns serve as backdrops for candles, miniature, lit Christmas trees in red boxes, Nutcrackers and other yuletide offerings. Books, pillows and cosmetic-style cases orient you as they proclaim Rye’s coordinates and zip code or celebrate New York City in bloom. A little girl’s vanity reminds you of the shop’s name. And ornaments and tea towels respectively help you keep your sense of humor by noting “2020 — very bad. Would not recommend”; and “You think it’s bad now? In 20 years, our country will be run by people homeschooled by day drinkers.”
But Pink had us at two of our favorites — boxes filled with sachets of herbal infusions and tea by Tea Forté wagmag.com/tea-time/and scented liquid and solid soaps by Michel Design Works like its Tartan creation, which evokes a snow-tinged pine forest with hints of moss and amber. With name brands like Lafco, Archipelago, Votivo, Kate Spade and Kai, the shop also highlights local wares along with items from businesses in developing countries that seek to improve the lives of their employees.
Pink, which has been on Purchase Street a little more than a year, began 20 years ago as Pink on Palmer in Larchmont, selling skincare and cosmetic products, says owner Judy Graham. Why the move? “The foot traffic is so much better (in Rye) and I live here,” she says.
As for the shift in merchandise, she adds that after the 2008 crash on Wall Street, it became clear that a lot of retail was moving away from brick-and-mortar stores to online. Revisiting her business model, Graham reasoned that home goods and gifts were less vulnerable to that exodus. It’s hard, after all, to buy a last-minute gift on Amazon for a spur-of-the-moment gathering.
And as if on cue, a woman dashes in for just such a thing.
“It’s the best shop for hostess gifts,” she says before running out.
We can’t but agree.
Pink is at 34 Purchase St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. For more, call 914-481-5454 or visit pinkshoprye.com.
