Ridgefield Floral and Gifts is starting its second month inside 104 N. Main Ave, a space Ridgefield Hardware occupied for more than 100 years. The move has given the longtime flower shop more room, more walk-in traffic, and the chance to share the corner of Main and Pioneer with local nonprofits and small businesses.
Co-owners Kerry Rylander and Katie Burbank said they had outgrown their former site on Pioneer Street. When they learned that the hardware store would close on Sept. 30, the co-owners reached out to the building's owner, Scott Hughes.
“We knew we needed more space, so I approached Scott. I knew he was thinking about retiring,” Rylander said. “I thought it would be a good match; we needed more space, he wanted to keep it local.”
The building is still owned by Scott Hughes, whose family has held the property for generations.
For over ten years, Ridgefield Floral and Gifts operated their business a few blocks east on Pioneer Street. Rylander and Burbank said the larger cooler, more workbenches and increased workspace have changed their day-to-day workflow. Walk-ins have picked up on the new corner, and the community has responded “wonderfully” to the new location.
“It's kept me going because it's a very stressful move, especially at Christmas time, all the gifts, getting everybody situated,” Burbank said. “It's been incredibly rewarding to get feedback from the community. It just feels like we belong here.”
Burbank and Rylander added that they’re enjoying the view of the local refuge.
Rylander said that customers appreciate the historic building’s use for local businesses.
“As sad as everybody was that the hardware store closed, and you know, we felt the same way like everybody else has been here for so long …. It was just it's time to move on, and it just worked out that we were able to rent it. People are just really happy about the way we've transformed the building,” Rylander said.
The larger floor plan allows the historic building to invite in other local businesses and operations. Local businesses Toys on Main and Raindrop Giftshop have merchandise for sale, and Spudder Spirit and Co. also has merchandise available to support the local boosters program.
The Ridgefield Arts Association will open its new Ridgefield Art Gallery in the building on Jan. 3 at 5 p.m., offering rotating exhibits and art for sale.
Members of the Ridgefield Arts Association are currently preparing the room where the gallery will be held. The association plans to operate the gallery as a membership-based artist cooperative. Eva Kelly, the organization’s secretary and one of its gallery managers, said the association has been looking for a gallery space for years.
“It'll be a membership-based artist cooperative, so we'll have a lot of the same faces in here. We'll all know each other really well. You get to know the artists in your community … and support the artists. We're just hoping that the art gallery helps foster a culture of the arts down here in Ridgefield,” Kelly said.
Both Ridgefield Floral and Gifts owners said they hope the shared space continues to grow into a natural stop for shopping and community activity.
“It excites us that we’re keeping it local, and Scott’s very happy about that too,” Rylander said.
The business is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, located on 104 North Main Avenue, Ridgefield.
