Even though she’s lived here the majority of her life, Wilton-born Megan LaBant Abrahamsen is very happy about moving to town for the first time.
That’s because her successful gift and accessory boutique, Blue Star Bazaar, is opening a brick-and-mortar location right here in her hometown. She’s opening her boutique this Saturday, Nov. 9 at Lambert Corners, in an adorable little historic building nestled at the intersection of Rt. 7 and Westport Rd.
“I’m very excited, it’s like good butterflies,” Abrahamsen said as she oversaw painting of the building’s interior and exterior, and started arranging all her inventory in preparation earlier this week.
Blue Star Bazaar first began in 2010, as an online business with Abrahamsen hosting occasional trunk shows locally. A year ago, she opened a booth at SoNo Marketplace. This third step is a big leap, something that’s shown how wisely she’s grown her business–not only to be very successful, but also to keep pace with her and her family’s needs. Abrahamsen and her husband have two children, 6- and 8-years old.
“I started with the website, I wanted something flexible and cost-effective, and I could work around my kids’ schedule. SoNo Marketplace was just three days a week, so that was the next baby step. Now I’ll have a full-time store, and even with more hours, I think the schedule will work a lot better around the family’s schedule. My youngest just started full-time kindergarten. Everyone said, ‘Oh, give yourself some time. Take a break!’ As soon as I had time, I said, ‘I gotta fill it!” she laughs.
Abrahamsen said having the store means changing what she carries just a bit. She is going to add some new items and also focus what she carries more precisely now that she’s in a brick-and-mortar location. Her next door neighbor is the Historical Christmas Barn, and she’s making sure that she carries different, but complimentary items. “Before, I broadly defined myself as ‘gifts,’ but in this location it’s really apparel, accessories and toys. I’m not going to be too concerned with home decorative items or holiday items. I’ll have a little more clothing than before because now I have a place where people can try things on.
She said the clothing items for women and kids that she’ll carry is “relaxed and casual” but more tailored for precise shopping. “I’ve added some dresses and knit apparel for women. You’re not going to find jeans with 10 different waist sizes and 3 different lengths because I don’t have the space for that. But a really cute wrap dress that comes in S-M-L that you can wear to work or on a date night. Multi-functional pieces.”
She’s continuing with trying to have items that are exclusive. “Many are items from smaller suppliers that you won’t find other places. I’m trying to find things that are handmade, locally produced, produced by small vendors, that are practical and a little off-beat.”
It’s an eclectic and fun mix in the great location–the store is situated in an historic building that used to be a post office on Hurlbutt St. It’s got some special significance for Abrahamsen, who grew up on Crosswicks Ridge Rd. just off Hurlbutt., about half-a-mile from where the building used to be. “It’s funny, my brother [Schoolhouse Restaurant owner/chef Tim LaBant] has a business in an historic building in Wilton, so I definitely feel like our family is part of the town.”
The setting is perfect for someone who grew up in town. “I went to third grade at Driscoll School when third grade was still there, before it was Miller-Driscoll. I graduated from Wilton High School. My brother and sister still live in town,” Abrahamsen said proudly. “I definitely feel like I know Wilton well, I know the customers here well, and I know a lot of people, and hopefully they’ll know me and come to know my business.”
Once she opens she’ll already start her holiday hours, which are Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Afterward, the store will be open Tuesday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and closed Sunday and Monday.
It’s always exciting when someone recognizes the business name. My youngest Kyle told somebody, ‘Mommy works for Blue Star Bazaar!’ I thought that was so cute, because basically, Mommy is Blue Star Bazaar, it’s cute that he’s got the perception that it’s a big thing.”
It’s likely that Kyle’s perception is right on the money, that Mommy’s business is already a big thing, with even bigger things yet to come.