Lynn's offers wondrous gifts

The words, elegant, eclectic, extraordinary, lasting and impressionable define Lynn's Boutique and Gifts. Lynn Olson's store, located within the Shoppes at Lafayette, is not filled with the cliché: it's brimming with novelties, the likes of which are hard to find and will wow even the most difficult person for whom you want to find a gift.
“My gifts are so unique because I make sure of it,” she said. “I hand pick everything that I bring in, and make sure that my vendors do not supply to any other store in the area to keep things one-of-a-kind.”
Eighty years young, Olson and her husband owned and operated a motor repair facility in West New York for many years. It was very successful, and they serviced New York and New Jersey transit. After 25 years, however, the lengthy commute from Sussex County had taken its toll, and in 1999 they sold the business. The sale coincided with the birth of their granddaughter, and Olson took on the job of babysitter.
“I enjoyed that immensely,” she said, “But after 10 years, I said, 'I'm ready to go back to work and I think I'd like to open a gift shop.'”
That she did in Chester, Morris County, in 2009, and for 10 years, again commuted this time from Sussex County down the meandering and oft congested Route 206. Lynn's Home Decor & Gifts thrived, but once again, the commute was getting to Olson.
“I had heard of the revitalization of the Shoppes at Lafayette and went over to take a look,” she said. “The place looked great, the rent was lower than in Chester, and the village was thriving.”
To boot, her commute would be just six miles from her home in Hamburg to Lafayette.
She opened in Lafayette about a year ago, and with the rent not yet up in Chester, maintained the two stores until she closed the one in Chester this past Christmas Eve.
“I'm doing much better here than I did in Chester, and the owners of the village, Nick and Sean, are fantastic to work with,” she said. “They're very accommodating.”
Olson said she's also enjoying the camaraderie among the proprietors and has made many a new friend.
One of the store's hallmarks is its Lifetime Oil Candles. These refillable, clean burning, smokeless and odorless candles are made of clear glass and have no-trim fiberglass wicks. They're filled with stunning seascapes and make beautiful centerpieces or serve as an accent to any room.
Lynn's Maple Leaf at Home cutting boards, serving trays and lazy susans come with lazer engraving and personalization. They are offered with rustic, hand-forged iron handles and accessories distinguishing them from other cutting board products.
The Darren Gygi art is affordable, high definition work that adds pizazz to any space.
“At one time, you had to commission Darren Gygi for a piece of his art, or buy the one of a kind in a gallery,” Olson said.
Gygi has now made his artwork accessible to the public with his Home Collection. Each piece is beautifully printed on canvas and gallery wrapped over a knotty alder wood frame.
The clocks are one of Olson's favorites. The brand she sells is Pendulux, and they come in varying styles and themes sure to delight.
“These clocks depict different time periods throughout history,” Oldon said. “They're definitely a one-of-a-kind gift and customers love them.”
There are many other brands and unique items, including bath products, teas, clothes and some great gifts for men available at the store, and Lynn's Boutique and Gifts is thriving at it's new location.
“Management had done a great job with The Shoppes, and it's become a go-to shopping destination,” Olson said. “I've really found my niche here.”