Hens Teeth Rare Gifts and Collectibles - Doylestown’s Newest Unique Boutique

Lisa Schwartz could only imagine the kind of store she thought her hometown was missing. Something different. Something creative. A place to browse, to shop or to just decompress. “I always thought that if I could open the right kind of store in the borough, I would,” she says. Opportunity came knocking when her job fell victim to corporate restructuring. And after her daughter spotted a vacancy on the northwest corner of West State and Hamilton Streets in the heart of Doylestown, Hens Teeth Rare Gifts and Collectibles had a home.

“This has always been one of my favorite buildings in Doylestown,” Schwartz says, of the oddly shaped corner building that was once the residence of prominent Doylestown department store owner Otto Kolbe and his family. She redecorated the space, and within only seven weeks, enlisted a variety of artisans and craftspeople whose handcrafted wares she would display.

But even as Schwartz charged full steam ahead, she drew on her past for inspiration. Remembering her childhood spent with her English grandmother, she christened her new venture after an old British expression: as rare as hen’s teeth. Then seemingly by Providence, while browsing a local home goods store with her close friend, they stumbled upon a bulbous, decorative hen whose charming “personality” appealed to Schwartz. Her friend bought the hen, which Schwartz dubbed Camille. Her newest “companion” would soon become the store’s mascot and her muse. Camille’s likeness is incorporated into the Hens Teeth logo and is featured on the store’s overhead sign, website, business cards and gift bags.

The distinctive name and endearing mascot are emblematic of Schwartz’s purpose. Her mission: to put her knowledge of marketing and brand creation to work on behalf of those following their hearts in artistic fields. “I wanted to provide a venue for creativity to flourish,” she says. “There’s an entire generation of young people who are very much committed to doing artistic things with their lives.”

Hens Teeth offers a diverse selection of one-of-a-kind gifts, including handcrafted jewelry, leather goods, knitted fashion accessories, organic cosmetics, home textiles, decorative glassware and ceramics – all of which are produced by crafters throughout the U.S. “I only offer handmade goods,” she says. “I don’t import anything. And I add new items all the time.” The gallery currently features 40 artisans, including many from throughout the Delaware Valley.

And while Schwartz serves as both a buyer and distributor, she also “works” her artists’ public relations. Ask about the jewelry-maker, the designer or the glass-blower, and she will spout off their resume, background and techniques. In addition to providing a showplace for what she calls “wearable art,” Schwartz, who is the current president of the Philadelphia Folksong Society, enthusiastically introduces shoppers to the music of local and emerging artists with an eclectic, offbeat soundtrack that plays during business hours. She speaks glowingly about the fringe benefit of working with creative types: “You can absolutely tell that they love what they’re doing. Their joy and their passion rub off.”

Schwartz is grateful to have been so warmly embraced by the close-knit community of residents, customers and fellow boutique owners that make up one of Doylestown’s busiest retail areas. “People in the borough have been so wonderful,” she says. “I’ve had people come in and literally say, ‘Welcome.’” And Schwartz is proud to pay it forward, passing on that friendly spirit to her customers and fostering a casual, no-pressure environment in her store. “I feel very strongly that when people come in, they should be allowed to explore and ask questions without feeling obligated to buy anything,” she says, extending an invitation to everyone – from the casual to the serious shopper – to stop in, browse and spend some time with her. And Camille!

Go online at hensteethraregifts.com