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Fair Lyn Gift Shop owner sells store after three decades in business
As Bill Gaylor sat in his customary spot in an easy chair inside the Lyn Gift Shop — dressed to the nines as usual in a brown suit jacket and olive shirt complete with a tie — he smiled proudly and explained his reasoning behind selling a store he has owned for three decades.
“I’ve enjoyed growing the store,” he said, noting that the gift shop has been a Hallmark retailer for decades. “ … 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.”
That change comes in the form of Al Patel, who purchased the store in January. Gaylor has stayed on as a limited partner, but said he plans to retire from the business in the near future.
Gaylor, 75, said he began looking for a succession plan after the store’s manager, John Norton, had a stroke and wasn’t able to return to work. Since his son, William, is a Nassau County legislator, and his other son, Robert, works for the Parks Department at the Town of Hempstead, Gaylor said he wasn’t going to leave the business to his family.
“We’re not going out of business,” he explained. “We’re gonna get bigger and better and really be a shining star. We came to the realization that if we were going to keep this store going and not liquidate it like some of the other stores, we were going to have to bring in a sharp, top-notch new partner to eventually take it over in the near future.”
Gaylor said another reason for his decision to sell is the increasing dependency on computers in the industry, which he didn’t want to keep adapting to. Patel said his main goal is to maintain Gaylor’s vision, but he also wants to modernize the products that the store offers due to changing retail trends.
“Millennials aren’t buying a $200 figurine and taking it home to sit on a shelf,” he said. “But that same person would spend $200 on something that makes them feel good and look good.”
Patel added that he plans to begin selling more accessories, including custom jewelry from brands like Alex and Ani and Pandora, and items like handbags and scarves. He noted that he thinks Lynbrook residents would be more inclined to shop locally if the store offered more name brands.
Gaylor said that a village historian told him that the Lyn Gift Shop has been a part of the village since at least 1932. With a glimmer in his eye, he fondly pointed out documents of recognition from the Hallmark family and awards he received over the years for retail excellence.
“After so many years, it’s difficult to let go,” Gaylor said. “It’s been a good trip and we’re gonna keep it going.”
Now that he has extra free time, Gaylor said he plans to stay involved in the Lynbrook community and to take day trips to different places. He joked that he would also continue to wear a suit everyday — but it won’t be to sit in his usual chair.
“I joke with my wife,” said Patel, dressed in jeans. “I say when I get a chance to sit in that chair most of the day, I’ll probably dress like that too.”
