By North Andover Life Staff
Sally Finnimore was tidying up the front counter of her shop, gathering scraps of wrapping paper after helping a customer select and wrap a gift. The customer was preparing to leave when he turned to her and said something that made her smile.
“I love this store.”
He couldn’t have been older than 11.
For Finnimore, who owns and operates The Village Studio at 43 High Street with her friend Melissa Mack, the moment captured exactly what the pair had hoped to accomplish when they opened their business.
“We set out to create a gift shop that offered items for people of any age, for any occasion,” explained Finnimore. “Our goal was to build a selection of gifts, especially locally produced gifts, that would mean something special. If you leave happy, then we did our job.”
But creating a thoughtful selection of merchandise was only part of their vision. Just as important was the experience they wanted customers to have when walking through their doors.
“Many people come in needing a gift, but not knowing where to start,” said Mack. “That’s really when we thrive.”
Nestled into one of the historic mill buildings that once housed Davis and Furber on North Andover’s High Street, The Village Studio looks much different from when it first opened five years ago.
The shop has expanded into adjacent spaces more than once, growing its inventory to include seasonal décor, baby items, pet gifts, North Andover-themed merchandise, jewelry, clothing, dinnerware, and an assortment of locally produced goods.
“We’ve curated a selection that allows our visitors to find thoughtful, meaningful items,” said Mack. “Just as important is that we work with each of our customers to help them identify the right item for the right person, holding their hand right through gift wrapping.”
For Finnimore, that personal attention was especially meaningful when helping the young boy who had arrived looking for a gift for his mother.
He wasn’t quite sure what to buy, so Finnimore helped him consider his options and select something appropriate. Once they had settled on a gift, she asked how he would like it wrapped.
“It was sweet that the gesture caught him off guard, but that’s the type of service we offer,” Finnimore said. “He left feeling taken care of, and that’s important.”
With shelves filled with an eclectic assortment of gifts, including a sizable collection of locally made products, it’s easy to understand how Finnimore and Mack have made gift-giving feel a little less intimidating and a lot more personal.
Their appreciation for creativity and locally produced goods began well before they opened their doors.
“Before we opened our shop, we spent a lot of time organizing craft fairs and tapping our own creativity,” said Mack.
Finnimore, in particular, may be a familiar face to those who frequent the High Street neighborhood. She lives just down the road from the shop and spent years organizing the Artisan Market at the Mills, held in the parking lot across from what would eventually become The Village Studio.
“There’s something special about this neighborhood,” said Finnimore.
“I can’t imagine a better spot for us to do this,” added Mack.
That appreciation for meaningful gifts extends beyond the merchandise on their shelves, rooted in Mack and Finnimore’s desire to understand and meet the needs of each customer.
“We want to know our customers and the stories behind what’s bringing them through our door,” said Finnimore. “Whether it’s a middle schooler getting a gift for their mom, a grandmother choosing a high school graduation present, or someone looking to comfort a friend going through chemo, we understand that each gift means something to both the person giving it and the person receiving it.”
“Being a small part of these moments is what makes this more than just selling things,” added Mack.
Mack continues to pursue her own creative interests, including working with customers to transform collections of T-shirts into keepsake quilts. “It’s a popular idea for parents getting ready to send their kid off to college,” said Mack.
Special, unique, and truly tailored for the individual.”
As fall gives way to the holiday season, Finnimore and Mack are preparing to welcome North Andover shoppers for their sixth holiday season.
Their Holiday Open House, scheduled for November 8, will feature ornament personalization, complimentary snacks and goodies, special sales, a prize wheel, and a gift for the first 25 customers.
And just a few weeks later, they’ve managed to arrange a visit from someone who knows a thing or two about giving gifts.
Santa Claus himself is scheduled to stop by The Village Studio on Small Business Saturday, November 28, for free photographs following North Andover’s Santa Parade.
“Yep, it’s the real Santa making a special stop for the day,” laughed Finnimore.
With the selection of gifts Finnimore and Mack have assembled at The Village Studio, there’s a good chance Santa might find something special for Mrs. Claus while he’s there.
Gift-wrapped, of course.
The Village Studio is located at 43 High Street in North Andover. For more information about its products and upcoming events, visit http://www.thevillagestudiona.com.
