Shala's Gifts Celebrates 25 Years in Millburn

Many ladies spend their Saturdays shopping; others head to a friend's to catch up over lunch or a cup of coffee. In Millburn, home to one-of-a-kind Shala's Gifts, there's no need to choose.

"If a week or two has gone by and I haven't had my Shala and Vicky dose, I'll drive to Millburn and sit in that chair next to Shala's desk and chat with them," said Tamara Hammer of Chatham. She is one of the many loyal customers who are known to stop by on Saturday afternoons, whether to shop, browse or chat.

"They're like a little comedy act, they're a hoot," she said of Shala and Vicky Powell, the mother-daughter team behind the boutique gift shop that is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary in Millburn.

The conversations to be had in the high-backed wooden chair next to Shala's desk are almost as much fun as the items on the shelves. Vicky finishes many of Shala's sentences, jumping in as Shala gathers her thoughts, creating a constant, addicting banter.

The banter helps put overwhelmed, first-time customers at ease. What could be overwhelming about a gift shop? Shala's shelves are completely overflowing. She makes it absolutely impossible to keep your eyes focused on just one item as you enter the store.

"You don't want people to just see one color, " said Shala. "When people come in, you want them to look around, for their eyes to jump from one thing to the next."

An eclectic, bold collection of ceramics, furniture, picture frames and other gifts from designers across the country seemingly fills every inch of the one-room store. There are large ceramic dogs guarding the entrance, bright pink chandeliers hang from the ceiling and striped tin buckets and birdhouses sit in the window. Pieces are displayed within other pieces, as $1,000 picture frames sit out on a custom, refurbished end table.

The pieces reflect the overflowing energy of the woman who selects them.

"My mother's just very funky," said Vicky, "She's an individual person, with her own sense. She's unique and one of a kind."

Her personality did not always shine through quite so brightly. When the mother of three daughters and grandmother to 7-month-old Ashley opened the store in 1985, she said it was "stiff" and "conservative." The original store, located on the second floor of the former mini-mall above the current location, had more Asian pieces, including large vases and urns. There was no furniture, and she bought most of the pieces in New York. 

Over the years, said Vicky, Shala started to be more daring. "She had a little bit of her own self in that store, but she was trying to be more conservative. Then came the ceramic dogs," she said with a laugh.

She is referring to a collection of life-size ceramic dogs from an Italian designer. More than a decade after the line went out of production, the duo still has customers coming in and talking about the dogs. "They loved my dogs!" said Shala.

She stopped buying in New York because she realized her customers could head to Manhattan on their own if they wanted the pieces. She wanted to offer items and collections that weren't available in other local stores. She wanted to be one-of-a-kind.

She is also sure to set the store apart from major department stores. When a designer tells her "I just sold to Harrod's!" her first response, she said, is, "Show me what they didn't want."

"She has her own taste. If Harrod's wants it, she doesn't," explained Vicky.

The majority of the pieces—save for two a line from France and one from Italy—come from American designers.

"We fully believe we need to support our country," said Shala, the bracelets lining her wrists clanging together as she speaks with her hands. "Our quality and standards are American made. You will pay a little more, but it will last a lifetime."

Added Vicky, "The quality of American products is undeniable. It's the best."

The collections and designers showcased in the store are constantly evolving. If an artist hasn't added anything new to their collection for a six-month period, "I drop them," she said.

"We have our staples," explained Shala, "but our staples are always changing." They have been carrying the MacBeth line by Margaret for more than five years because, they said, she is constantly adding new patterns and styles.

In recent years, they've started decorating entire houses. Shala said the Internet has made this possible—she can just see a picture of a room and know how to outfit the space. She did exactly that for Hammer without ever stepping foot in the house, and the two became close friends in the process.

As they move into their second quarter century, the store continues to expand its offerings. The most recent addition is a collection of vintage jewelry.

Why mess with a system that seen obvious success? "You have to," said Shala, "You have to, so that you never get stale."

Her customers are not at all worried that the store will get stale.

"My husband used to joke that we were keeping Shala in business," recalled Hammer. "Every time he came home there was a new piece from the store."

Whether keeping them in business or simply browsing the eclectic collection, there is one thing Hammer said first-time guests can expect.

"If you walk in as a customer, they become your friends."