Apr 20, 2009

‘Pride of New England’ West Gloucester gift shop makes its regional markBy Quinn Allen-WardellGloucesterTimes.com

Local business owner Pauline Bresnahan can officially be called the “Pride of New England.”

Bresnahan’s business, Pauline’s Gifts, has been designated one of the best gift shops in New England, after receiving the Boston Gift Show’s highest honor, the “Pride of New England Award.”

The most coveted of all awards given away at the show, the fourth annual “Pride of New England Award” is given in recognition of outstanding customer service, merchandising creativity, community involvement, and — of course — a strong sense of New England pride.

Nominated months ago by an anonymous admirer of her store, Bresnahan said she was awestruck by the fact that she had won, beating more than 300 other nominees.

“Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined that I would actually win,” she said. “It is truly an honor to be given this mark of excellence, and I still smile every time I think of accepting that award.”

After buying the store in 1999, Bresnahan and her husband, Glen, have managed to turn what was a run down second-hand store — located at 512 Essex Ave. in West Gloucester — into not only something of a local landmark, but also the largest distributor of individualized and hand-painted gifts on Cape Ann.

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