‘The Artful Mix’ To Close Elm Street Store, Continue Selling Online

The Artful Mix, a handcrafted gift shop in the heart downtown New Canaan, is to close its doors Jan. 15.

The co-op model store at 134 Elm St. will continue to sell goods through its website, according to a sign posted in the window.

Its owner, New Canaan resident Suzanne Nardi, said she looks forward to serving Artful Mix customers in new ways, not only through online sales but also through services such as staging and finding art for people’s homes.

“I still want to be involved in the community,” Nardi said. “We will have items that people are accustomed to. We will still work with local artists.”

New Canaan-themed merchandise such as posters and platters will always be available, among other products, and jewelry and gift items will be curated around holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Mothers Day and graduation, she said.

Nardi said The Artful Mix’s website will be updated once the store goes to 100% e-commerce on Jan. 15. Though the permanent physical location will be gone, Nardi said the store will return as a pop-up at events such as the Sidewalk Sale. 

“I really do look at it as a positive—it’s sad, but it also is an opportunity,” she said.

She became owner of the store, formerly known as Ally-Bally-Bee, in March 2019, and changed its name to The Artful Mix last spring. Like many local retailers, the store struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health restrictions, Nardi said, and that’s what led to a decision to close to the physical store.

The shop’s closing will mark the latest in a series of changes on Elm Street.

The Bank of America branch at 94 Elm St. “closed temporarily” in late-December and it’s unclear whether or when it will reopen. The Verizon Store moved across the street, leaving a vacancy at 139 Elm, while Chef Luis reopened in November. The popular shopping and dining street also has seen The Back End restaurant, Patisserie Salzburg and The Adirondack Store open in the past six months.

Nardi asked that customers of The Artful Mix follow the store’s account on Instagram.