The Paragon Shop: Graceful Gifts
By Michelle Troutman

The very definition of the word “paragon” is excellence. Inspired by the term, and the old Paragon mail order catalog, in 1981, Nancy St. Amand decided to add it to the name of her new downtown gift shop.

St. Amand had worked in retail throughout high school and college, including the Harris Bakery retail store downtown. “I thought that it would be very fun to own your own place," she says.

After graduation from Thomas College, she processed insurance claims, did accounting on her own, worked for an accounting firm, and later went back to Thomas for merchandising courses.

She considered going into fashion. After speaking with gift shop owners, and noticing they all shared an enthusiasm for their businesses, she settled on a gift shop. "With the gift industry, you have a couple of seasons, and it's easier to buy for."

She opened the store in a 400-square foot space, and in 1983, moved to the present location.

Greeting cards, glassware and giftware, jewelry, knick-knacks, and novelties are nestled into each nook and cranny. "We started bringing in more in the lines of tabletop and linens, because shortly after we moved here, Sterns closed. So, we introduced to our product mix more tabletop and glassware, and things of that nature, and decorative items. Over the past few years, we've added a lot of fashion accessories and jewelry."

St. Amand credits quality customer service and her efforts in finding things that are new and unique for the store's longevity. A passion for what she does also plays an important part; her duties include setting up the merchandise displays, pricing, buying merchandise, and dealing with customers.

"I really like working with the customers. It's fun. You make someone happy," she says, laughing. "Or you try to," adding that she gets to meet lots of different people. "You have a nice environment to work in, you get to work with nice people, and you get to deal with beautiful merchandise. What's not to like?"

She employs three to four people throughout the year, some on an on-call basis if they need extra seasonal help. Married for 40 years, with one daughter, her husband Roger, a science and social studies teacher for the China school system, helps out as well.

To keep the merchandise fresh and updated and to find out where trends are going, St. Amand finds merchandise at trade shows and through sales representatives, and conducts a fashion and accessory show.

"I don't have to love an item, but I have to like it to bring it into the store, and I have to think that it fits with the other things that I carry. Reps tell you, 'This is the hottest item. You've just got to have this.' And you look at the thing and you think, 'You should say no,'” she says, laughing. “You really need to go with your opinion. No one knows your store better than you do. Even if it is doing great in the next town over, doesn't mean it's going to do great where you are."

Best sellers include stemware, glass salad bowls, jewelry, the Sullivan line of artificial flowers, and Baggalini purses. "This is our purse line that was designed by a couple of flight attendants, and inside they're very well laid out so you can find things."

St. Amand says they do well with their bridal registry, and the difficult economy has made jewelry sell since it is more affordable for customers than redecorating. She notes that this summer's rain was a blessing to the business, bringing customers into her store.

The Paragon Shop will host a holiday preview on November 7th and 8th. St. Amand plans to feature "glitzy ornaments," decorative holiday trim and garlands, and a variety of Santas. "We have these fabulous gourd Santas that are quite different, so those are new for us this year."

"We still wrap," she says, laughing, "which not many places do any more."

For those looking for home essentials and decor, in keeping with its name, The Paragon Shop offers quality taste and style.

The Paragon Shop at 36 Main St. is open 10:00am to 5:30pm Monday through Friday, and 10:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday. Starting this November, it will be open on Sundays from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, and during December, will be open extended hours: 207-873-7760.

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