Nancy O staff from left, Missy Holmes, Christy Douwes, Nancy O’Connell, Rachel Lapnow
Nancy O’Connell, owner of Nancy O, the gift, fashion and knitting shop at 23 Catoonah Street, is celebrating a milestone event: Nancy O’s 10th anniversary.
“From now until the end of March we’ll be giving back to our customers with specials and events, culminating in an open house March 26 to 28,” Ms. O’Connell said. “Rather than holding a typical anniversary sale, we’ll offer different specials on different days. During the open house, a trunk show will feature Gretchen Scott Designs’ colorful tops and dresses (the perfect antidote to the winter we’ve had). For the knitting side of the store, we’ll show new spring yarns and hold some free Saturday workshops.”
The store had its beginning on March 5, 2005, at 1 Big Shop Lane and has been in its Catoonah Street location since 2012. With the move, Nancy O expanded in terms of both customers and floor space. “I like to say we’ve grown but we haven’t lost our soul,” Ms. O’Connell noted.
She attributes her success and her staying power to the relationships she has built with customers and the community.
“My staff and I get to know our customers and develop personal relationships,” she said. “Day in and day out we help them select gifts for babies, choose the right piece of jewelry, or pick out yarns and designs. This is something you can’t get from the Internet or a big-box store. And through our knitting classes, many customers have developed relationships with each other.”
Ms. O’Connell is well known to the community outside the store, especially as a member of the business community.
According to Susan Ahlstrom, executive director of the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce, “Nancy has played a leadership role in the retail community for many years, and her business and marketing skills have contributed to the success of the Chamber. A former chairman of the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce, she is a member of our Retail Council and has spearheaded the Destination Ridgefield website initiative. Nancy is also known for her generosity in providing coaching to new retailers in the community.”