The Bowerbird: Everything that You Never Knew You Needed!

The Best little Gift Shop in Old Lyme Presents the Unusual, as Usual!

It is nearly impossible to encapsulate The Bowerbird in Old Lyme because gift shops come and go. This southern New England treasure is presently in its fourth decade with fans not only in New England but throughout the United States and the world. It was and is the brainchild of its creator (for owner seems a frivolous name for all this place is and has), Chris Kitchings, who as a small child growing up in Ohio was an entrepreneur in the making. "As a little girl I had a cigar box and was always scheming for a way to make money. I even charged my brother for things."

Although that little girl grew into a big girl and found herself at the Connecticut shore, she never stopped looking for the unusual, coming up with wondrous ideas, and buying unique, new, and inventive items that she enjoyed showing other people.

Even though Kitchings has several computers filled with her vast inventory, it is difficult for her to pin down just how many items are sold in her store and throughout her online store. "I know it's easily over 10,000 items," she laughs, then she looks to her right-hand woman for confirmation. This remarkable individual is Kirsten Fedors who has been with Kitchings for more than 20 years. "I came here as a teenager and have grown up here," Fedors adds. When asked what her title or position is, the two women are stumped. "Manager, buyer, liaison between vendors and store, and on and on it goes. It appears Kirsten is well more than an employee just as The Bowerbird is well more than a gift shop.

Owner Chris Kitchings and Manager Kirsten Feders

Due to space limitations we can only mention some of the departments because it is virtually impossible to list them all, so swiftly the merchandise changes sometimes on a day-to-day basis. "Sometimes I look at a display featuring a new item and wonder, when did we get that?" Chris Kitchings says with a smile. The child entrepreneur grown to adulthood seems so laid back, but make no mistake, she knows her business because she knows people, and she buys for them, advertises directly to them, and services their every need.

The Bowerbird is known for many things to many shoppers....housewares, jewelry, unique toys, items for beloved pets, nautical gifts, cookware and kitchen gadgets, clothing, games, art; and to many, when it comes to cards and stationery, The Bowerbird is a giant store within a store. There are cards for every occasion at nearly every price point. There are cards with sound, 3-D cards, pop-up cards, sweet, snarky, and heartfelt cards. Cards for made-up occasions, cards with a laugh, and cards that will elicit a tear. "We actually deal with 60 different companies who provide our cards, and people love shopping for them and receiving them," Chris says, then adds with a sarcastic smile, "Because no one ever cherished an email."

Yes, there are hundreds, probably thousands of cards, yet nothing looks crowded, cluttered, or picked over... that's true of the entire shop. The Bowerbird is an experience and an experience that always leaves the customer with a good feeling. Whether you are merely browsing or come with a specific purpose or gift-giving occasion in mind, there is nothing ever rushed about time spent in the shop. No salesperson pressures nor hovers, yet if you have a question, need an idea, or want gift wrapping, they are never very far away. It's the way shopping used to be with customer service the most important product in the store.

So what's new or old or different or fun right now at The Bowerbird? Despite the pandemic, you certainly won't find empty shelves. While the weather is still warm and pleasant right into the Fall you'll find plenty of items for outdoor entertaining from fire pits (yes, they sell those too!) to tableware, accessories, telescopes, tree swings for the kids, zip lines, Ninja warrior items, and toys for big kids.

One of the most beautiful outdoor accouterments seen in a long time and not found up and down the street at other shops is the outdoor solar lantern, fashioned from durable Tyvek, totally waterproof, and available in different designs to throw beautiful light on your lawn or deck.

Many customers who love The Bowerbird love the water and therefore love all the nautical items that once again are displayed not only within the shop but at their online store for shopping from home in your pajamas and bunny slippers. However, you must come in to see and hopefully purchase one of the UV-protected watercharts as they cannot be shipped. You also find merchandise with local town names and zip codes, so if you're visiting and want a unique remembrance, it's here.

If you live here, you'll feel a sense of pride in displaying your name and numbers and know that you shopped locally for something made by a local artisan.

The Bowerbird is proud to feature many American-made products and lots of impulsive necessities from local artists. A trip to the store will have you shaking your head in delightful amazement and wondering, "What will they think of next?" Well, how about a Shower Mate memo pad, a gift you can give yourself as well as others. How many times have you been in the shower and thought of a million things to do, people to call, places to go, but you had nowhere to write a list? Now you do! Just ask for The Shower Mate Waterproof Note Pad. It comes with waterproof paper, and it works, or else Chris and Kirsten wouldn't be selling it.

How about a gorgeous necklace or bangle from Dune Jewelry filled with the actual sand of your favorite beach; not just the Connecticut shoreline, but virtually any beach in the world. Wear your happiest memories around your neck or on your wrist or perhaps give as a gift.

Check out the Salt Sisters display in the kitchen area and discover all the different tastes and colors of salts, dips, rubs, and herbs to spice up your meals and your life. Add to that small pieces of furniture, lamps, bedding, craft kits, LEGO®toys, snarky coasters, Ticked Off Shirts, bath and body items, and just about the best customer service on the shoreline whenever you come to shop, to pause, to be amazed 12 months a year.

As you leave the store, you once again pass the children's section and your gaze falls upon the Sky Dream Catcher swing, a fun way to help kids soar to new adventures, not unlike that little girl growing up in Ohio all those years ago. "No matter how much the world changes," Chris Kitchings remarks, "Kids still play with balls, bubbles, dolls, swings and love adventure. That will never change."

Neither will The Bowerbird. Sure, the merchandise will evolve, new things will always come in, but cards and toys and accessories and apparel and jewelry and all those things you never knew existed and positively must have, will not change. It's YOUR kind of place."It's a happy place," Chris Kitchings says.

It's really just the unusual as usual.

The Bowerbird can be found at 46 Halls Road in the Old Lyme Marketplace in Old Lyme or online: www.thebowerbird.com (860) 434-3562