Historical Society honors former Lyn Gift Shop owners for three decades of serving Lynbrook

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The Historical Society of Lynbrook and East Rockaway honored Bill and Lillian Gaylor at their monthly meeting for their role in contributing to Lynbrook’s business community for the last three decades at the Brick Cafe in Lynbrook on May 3.

The Gaylors sold the Lyn Gift Shop on Atlantic Avenue, which they owned for more than 30 years, to businessman Al Patel in January.

Bill Gaylor has stayed on as a limited partner, but told the Herald in March that he was going to retire from the business in the near future. “I’ve enjoyed growing the store,” he said at the time. “ … We grew this store into a really, really first-class retail establishment. I’ve done all I could do. It’s time for a change.”

HSLER President Patricia Sympson introduced Gaylor at the event, and he made a speech. HSLER Executive Director Madeline Pearson also represented the historical society. The Gaylors’ son, County Legislator William Gaylor, and his wife, Deborah Gaylor, were in attendance.

“As a longtime resident of Lynbrook, I enjoyed his remembrances of many of the stores which used to be on Atlantic Avenue,” Sympson said of Gaylor’s speech. “He mentioned that he had bought his wedding ring in Green’s Jeweler’s — interesting, because so did we over 50 years ago!”

The event was held as a way to honor Bill and Lillian for their lifetime of work, dedication and service to the Village of Lynbrook and its residents.