Officially opening its doors Tuesday was New Canaan's newest small business, import-heaven Goldenberry, formerly of Darien. Opening up shop at 149 Cherry Street, Goldnberry features perishable goods and knickknacks from around Europe right in your backyard.
"We have a whole selection of products ranging from items for your home, for babies, for gifts or for those looking for something gourmet," said shop owner Deb Hecht. "We really have a great selection of British, Scottish and Irish goods."
Goldenberry operated in Darien for 23 years before making the transition to New Canaan. Hect, a Ridgefield resident, said the move was something she saw as a positive based on the wide customer base the store has established.
"Darien only actually made up about 30-percent of our customers," she said. "We cater to a lot of the Fairfield County and West Chester region and we have so many customers who would come in from New Canaan."
The store focuses on creating an experience for what Hecht called "armchair travelers," expats looking for a touch of home or for people looking to reconnect with a country after visiting it on vacation. The idea came to Hecht when she began to miss the area in which she used to live and work.
"I was in England and used to travel around Europe a lot," Hecht said. "I missed it. The best of both worlds is what we hope to offer. You come in from somewhere locally and we take you further afield."
An affable people-person, Hecht said she loves running the shop and meeting a variety of people in her daily life, everyone with their own story.
"Because we're not run-of-the-mill, we're a bit out of the ordinary, the people that come in are so diverse," she said. "We'll see a CEO of a huge company and then 15 minutes later I'll meet a kid from down the street working on becoming a plumber. People are always so interesting and have something to share. It's always a fun day."
In addition to fine China, quality dripless candles, picture frames, paper goods and handmade jewelry, the store really shines in its imported foods, with candy, drinks, packaged goods and meats, kept in coolers, made with spices from all over.
The store also stocks a number of items made from local artisans. A book by Westport author Richard E. Hyman or jewelry from a North Salem crafter are displayed on shelves next to imports from outside the United States.
Goldenberry also offers its customers plentiful parking, but is close enough to visit on foot if shoppers are already in downtown New Canaan. The store itself is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Those interested can visit the shop's website at Goldenberry.com.
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