By Kathianne Boniello
Finding the Hyacinth crafts gallery on Bell Boulevard in Bayside is like discovering the doorway to a world of cats, wizardry, and unique furniture where a shopper can find a wide variety of crafts, candles, jewelry and almost anything else they could imagine.
For 20 years, the gatekeeper at Hyacinth has been owner Sarah Quart, who began the business with her mother in 1980.
But later this month someone else will be watching the mystical doorway at Hyacinth’s when new owner and Flushing resident Lynne Andrews takes Quart’s place.
Quart, who sold the business last month, was married in September and plans to live with her husband in California.
With everything from simple candles to elaborate jewelry, small pieces of furniture, pottery, fountains, and hanging glass ornaments, a shopper could run across almost anything at Hyacinth’s. The store also features a bevy of cats that Quart cares for.
Looking around the store with eager eyes Monday evening Andrews voiced enthusiasm for her new position and said she wanted to keep Hyacinth the same.
“It’s something that has been a dream of mine for a very long time,” she said. “I have so many gifts from Hyacinth’s.”
Quart said she knew she had found her successor when Andrews spent some time working with customers in the store before actually buying it.
“I really wanted it to stay here because in a sense it’s more than a store,” Quart said. “I realized she’s the right person because she’s got the right heart for this. If you don’t have a heart for the people who walk through your door — it’s nothing.”
The way in which customers respond to Quart is what helps make Hyacinth “more than a store.” Those who come into Hyacinth often call Quart by her first name as they talk about everything from their children to the people they are shopping for.
The only exception Monday evening was Andrews, who often struck up conversations with shoppers as she followed Quart around the store. Often, the pair would finish each other’s sentences and laugh.
“It’s such a pleasure to meet everybody,” a smiling Andrews said. “I’m really excited.”
Andrews said she would maintain the store as it is but would begin adding some crafts from African artists and African collectives. Quart was expected to maintain her involvement in Hyacinth’s by helping with product purchasing and occasionally designing some of her own work.
Although Andrews has worked in the accounting field for the last several years, the former art major seemed ready for the task of overseeing Hyacinth’s.
“It’s a little change of pace, but I know it’s going to be much more fun,” she said.
Hyacinth’s, which was running a sale through Sunday, was expected to close temporarily on March 5 for inventory and was tentatively slated to reopen on March 15.
For more information about the grand reopening call the store at 718-224-9228.
Reach reporter Kathianne Boniello by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 146.
