Expert advice on Mother’s Day shopping
Still need a gift for Mother’s Day? Our scientific approach to unearthing the very best gifts for Mother’s Day has you covered. We went to the source and visited the many Garden City businesses owned and operated by the experts—moms. From accessories to a spot of tea, these business owners shared their inside knowledge to solve your Mother’s Day conundrum:
A New Leaf Tea Emporium
Kimberly Orlic, mom to three daughters and the proud owner of this 7th Street tea shop, is a true tea sommelier. The shop features over 55 varieties of fine black, oolong and green loose-leaf teas as well as rooibos, fruit and herb infusions. Featured Mother’s Day gifts include a cold steeping iced tea jug, assorted teapots and mugs. The shop is also featuring a Mother’s Day Tea Service.
The perfect Mother’s Day gift for Orlic is a little bit of rest and relaxation and time with her family.
Envie
Christina Mamos always had an entrepreneurial spirit. While raising four children in the village, she ran her own graphic design business. As the matriarch of this stylish accessories boutique offering an eclectic array of jewelry, scarves and handbags, she supports local artists. Mamos, who runs the business with her daughters, strives to provide a range of styles and price points to meet the tastes of young and more mature buyers.
Her ideal Mother’s Day is a day spent with her family.
The Pear Tree Shoppe
Lois Tighe, Jan McDonough and Dale Brokaw, recently named “Businesspersons of the Year” by the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, are proud mothers and grandmothers along with being proprietors of this 7th Street boutique. Tighe says the season’s popular items include monogrammed handbags, accessories in bright colors or tortoise shell, and the popular Thymes bath and body line. The shop also features fine accessories for the home.
Since spring is busy season for the shop, Tighe enjoys spending time with her family and relaxing on Mother’s Day.
Garden City Salon & Spa
Mom and owner Dorothy DiLullo believes Mother’s Day is all about being “pampered.” At the helm of a proprietorship that specializes in beauty and relaxation, her gift recommendations are massages, facials, a natural spray tan – or a gift certificate so mom can choose.
Her favorite Mother’s Day treat is breakfast in bed.
Studio Strength
Former teacher Christine Inguanta turned her affinity for fitness into a business thanks to her children. After giving birth to baby number three, she decided to get in shape, and found a second career. As co-owner of Studio Strength, a personal fitness studio on Franklin Avenue, she teaches the benefits of staying “strong.” According to Inguanta, the best gift you can give yourself and your children is being a healthy mom. “Moms tend to think of themselves last,” said Inguanta. She prides herself on providing a no-judgment zone and recommends gift certificates for personal training or special packages.
Breakfast in bed is a Mother’s Day tradition in her home—her favorite part is the coffee service!
The Island
Located in the courtyard off of 7th Street, The Island stocks Lilly Pulitzer’s colorful and trendy classics along with resort-chic apparel and accessories. According to owner Carol Mangels, proud mom of three, lace and bright neon colors are big trends this season. Gift items with a seasonal flair include nautical jewelry and resort wear. Mangels, also proprietor of Ivy Lane in Floral Park, says her businesses have always been a family affair, employing her mother-in-law, husband and children.
Her preference for Mother’s Day is to have the family over for dinner but she passes on doing the dishes.
Coquette
Mom Lisa Duff, a Garden City native and former shoe buyer for Bloomingdale’s, brings her passion for fashion to the village by featuring new and established clothing labels. While growing up, she dreamed of creating a local clothing haven. Coquette serves up that dream, offering party dresses to the basics. The Mother’s Day jewelry options include printed scarves and statement necklaces that Duff says, “everyone from teens to grandmothers can wear.”
Her Mother’s Day ritual is a reprieve from work; her husband minds the shop.
The Cupcake Corner and Cupcake Corner Too!
Laura Graney, a former computer professional, has created a sweet enclave for dessert lovers. The new grandmother came up with the idea when she saw the retail opening on the corner of New Hyde Park Road and Dartmouth Street. Her daughter, Lisa Romero, is one of the chefs creating the shop’s delectable gourmet baked goods. For Mother’s Day, Graney suggests specially designed Mother’s Day cupcakes, or choosing from the 30+ flavors they offer. A Mother’s Day Tea/Brunch will be hosted at the Cupcake Corner Too! a party facility located across the street.
As a Mother’s Day gift to Graney, her staff is taking over the helm for the holiday.
