Lifelong Friends Open Gift Shop In Enfield's Southwood Acres

ENFIELD, CT — Growing up on Clear Street off Raffia Road in the Southwood Acres section of Enfield, lifelong friends Michele Latulippe and Lori Davis used to ride their bicycles to the nearby Raffia Plaza, which has contained a variety of small businesses since its construction in 1958. Still neighbors years later, albeit in the center of town on Misty Meadow Road, the two ladies are now collaborating on a shared interest in crafts with the opening of Tulip's Gift Shop in that very plaza.

"Michele and I did craft shows last year; in fact, we've each been crafters our whole lives," Davis said in an interview at the shop Tuesday. "Michele was talking to Gary Raffia, a longtime friend whose family has owned the plaza for decades, and found out there was an opening here."

The business, which officially opened Oct. 1, features a wide variety of unique gift items, including candles, scarves, signs, soaps, wooden decor and more. Nearly every item in the store is handcrafted, with about 20 area artisans contributing a variety of goods. Custom orders are welcomed.

Since opening, Davis said the initial reception to the shop has been "better than we thought. It is a busy area, and everybody in this plaza has been so nice."

Wreaths and holiday arrangements are very popular, and new items are arriving daily. A new artisan specializing in embroidery began contributing to the inventory this week, Davis said.

Among the unusual handiwork found at Tulip's are old albums (remember those?) which have been transformed into decorative wall art. Hard rock, Broadway shows, movies - all are currently for sale in the shop, with a variety of selections including The Wizard of Oz, KISS and Cats.

Tulip's is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from noon to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Davis said extended holiday shopping hours are being planned. More information about specials and shop events is available on its Facebook page and Instagram.

All photos by Tim Jensen/Patch Media Corp.