Aug 14, 2008

Little Shop in Blue Hill Offers Big Gift IdeasBy James StraubEllsworthMaine.com

Blue Hill — For more than a decade, Linda Lyons has owned and operated Hinckley Ridge Gardening, from her home in Blue Hill.

She still runs the landscaping business, but also opened The Little Shop earlier this month on Route 172, next to Yanni’s Pizza.

“I want to have something to do when I’m older and can’t push the mower or lug the mulch anymore,” she joked while waiting on customers in her gift shop. “I wanted something to do that’s fun, so everyone can come in and have fun.”

Judging by the curious shoppers who came and went on a recent Friday afternoon, she’s found it.

Lyons describes her new venture as The Little Shop with big gift ideas.

One after another, newcomers and repeat customers remarked about the wide variety of gift items and how, despite the large number of items, the shop didn’t seem crowded.

Lyons has attracted customers with outside displays of fresh strawberries and vegetables for sale, but the main event is inside.

“Everybody who comes in says, ‘Oh, I’ve got to walk around again,'” Lyons said, as those in earshot nodded agreement.

One of the mainstays of The Little Shop is locally crafted items.

Earlier this month, Lyons was featuring custom embroidery and sewing items made by her sister, Penny Hatch, as well as items from several other area artisans.

In stock this month were baby clothes, girls’ clothes and adult dresses made by Judy McKay; picnic tables made by Bim Snow; Ann Redman’s gift boxes and wall hangings featuring intricate, colorful paper designs; knitted items from Janet Williams and more.

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