If you love exploring quaint little shops filled with unique, eye-catching gifts, then you’ll surely want to visit The Flower Barn & Gift Shop in Northville. Owner Sally Peck continually searches near and far for just the right merchandise to spotlight her store’s distinctive vibe.

“My shop is nature-oriented,” Sally explains, “with an Adirondack, Bohemian, international flair. The resounding theme is nature-inspired art and art to inspire nature. I go artsy but not craftsy with prices ranging from $1 to $1000. I’ve never been afraid to invest in expensive art, if it’s worth it, but I refuse to be overpriced. I carry the work of local artists ranging from nearby communities to Rochester and Connecticut, and I carry the work of independent artists and fair trade cottage industries from as far away as Michigan, Oregon, Washington State, British Columbia, the Java Islands, and Indonesia.” 

Sally offers a variety of merchandise and price points because she wants people of all ages and financial abilities to be able to enter the store, have fun looking around, and leave with something they love. “I want that little boy shopping for a birthday gift for his mom to be able to find something nice and leave happy.”  

Located at the north end of town at 132 Division Street, The Flower Barn & Gift Shop is housed in an historic, beautifully renovated livery stable, roughly dating back to 1870.
As its name suggests, the barn actually comprises two distinct businesses: flowers and gifts. While the gift shop is Sally’s domain, the full-service florist’s is run by her husband, Bob. No stranger to the floral industry, Bob is a fourth generation florist with 45 years of experience.

For 30 years, Bob owned and operated Peck’s Flowers of Gloversville, a business begun by his grandfather in 1913. Upon opening his Northville shop in 2017, Bob brought not only a lifetime of floral experience but a much needed, warmly welcomed addition to the Village. As the sole employee, he does everything from ordering flowers and designing arrangements to making deliveries throughout the Great Sacandaga Lake region, ranging as far north as Speculator. 

“Bob is busier than ever these days, but he’s very happy,” Sally says. “He loves working in a small, friendly community. He says he always feels like he’s making an arrangement for a neighbor. We even handwrite every card for our customers. That personal touch is unusual today, and we enjoy doing it.”     

The Flower Barn & Gift Shop carries a floor-to-ceiling selection of intriguing gifts and colorful artwork as well as a variety of flowers and arrangements to suit any occasion, big or small. In choosing and arranging the gift shop inventory, Sally aims to engage all the senses, offering customers a sensory feast of enticing colors, textures, sounds, and essential oil scents.  She decorates with an artist’s eye, resulting in striking displays that highlight the beauty of each piece. 

“I love our rock sculptures out front,” Sally says. “They’re made of rock and sea glass from a cottage industry in the Java Islands. And our solar chimes are one of my favorite items, made by a woman in Michigan. They’re so unique! Powered by the sun, you just hang them indoors by a window.”

Sally also stocks an exceptional selection of greeting cards, ranging from big companies like Leanin’ Tree to local independent lines. And she handpicks every card! “I try hard to select a wide range that I think my customers will enjoy. People really seem to appreciate our many humorous cards.” The fact that prices start at just $1.95 is also much appreciated. 

When it comes to their dual businesses, Sally is as passionate about running the gift shop as Bob is about running the flower shop.. “We work from the heart, that’s for sure,” Sally says, “and it’s definitely a family affair. Six or seven years ago, my husband worked tirelessly to renovate the barn and convert it to a florist’s. Two years later, in 2019, I opened the gift shop. It had always been my dream to combine the two businesses, flowers and nature-inspired gifts, with each complementing and supporting the other.” 

Daughter Emma, a senior in high school, is invaluable to the day-to-day running of the store. “Emma helps out with whatever needs doing. She’s my right-hand man,” Sally says with pride. “She does it all.” 

In autumn, the front of this quaint historic barn is lined with a stunning array of potted asters and chrysanthemums in vibrant fall colors. The mellow tones of wind chimes swaying in the breeze in an outdoor gift tent create a peaceful mood, welcoming and preparing customers for a relaxing stroll through the store’s charming interior. 

“When you walk into the gift shop, you’ll see things hanging all over my ceiling,” Sally beams. “I just love things that hang. It creates a good energy. I try to make people feel good when they’re in the shop. I always hope they’ll leave feeling better than when they came in. This is a feel-good store. The world is so serious these days. You need a place where you can feel good.”   

Without question, The Flower Barn & Gift Shop in Northville offers an outstanding selection of flowers and gifts. But what brings it all together is the warmth and friendliness of the shops’ proprietors. Sally and Bob Peck are living their dream in an old barn on Division Street. They’re doing what they love... and it shows. 

The Flower Barn & Gift Shop:
132 Division St., Northville. 518-863-4374.
Hours: 10-5 weekdays; 10-3 Saturdays;
closed Sundays and Tuesdays. 

Flowerbarnandgifts.com 
Facebook