Flowers in the Attic relocates to Sparta

SPARTA — Flowers in the Attic, a gift store that has a little bit of everything, has a new home in Upper Lake Plaza in Sparta.

After years in Newton, it was time for a change of venue.

Moving aroundPhyllis Flanagan had worked in retail for others. In 1993, she wanted to be her own boss, so the life-long Sussex County resident opened her own store. She chose the County Seat of Newton for her location, and the store she called Flowers in the Attic featured gifts, home décor and furniture.

Business did so well that she relocated on Spring street twice, finally settling in a location in the middle of Spring Street where she stayed for many years. Here she expanded to include jewelry, accessories, gifts and collectibles, glassware, lamps, candles, dinette sets, an array of linens ranging from polka dots to country lace, linens including curtains, valances, runners, table clothes and napkins, a childcare's section and more.

With this final move in Newton, she also decided to bring in some clothing.

“It was styles you just don't find around here,” she said.

Her customers responded with rave reviews, so much so that she morphed the whole back of the store into unique clothing central.

It was her customers' response to the clothing that prompted Flanagan to test the waters with a second store: a boutique featuring clothing, jewelry and accessories in Sparta. In fall of 2013, she opened Felicia's Boutique in a vacant space in Upper Lake Plaza.

"The impetus was the responses from my clients," Flanagan said, "When I expanded my lines at Flowers in the Attic into clothing we had such a great response. Clients were thrilled with the additional clothing choice added to our home decor and gifts.”

Sparta locationFelicia's Boutique received such a welcome from clients that this year she decided to relocate Flower in the Attic to Upper Lake Plaza, a few doors down from Felicia's at 270 Sparta Ave.

Flowers in the Attic's new home draws clients from Sussex, Warren, Bergen and Passaic counties and Flanagan attributes the move's success to attention to detail and especially to the customers.

“My specialty is customer service,” Flanagan said, “I love helping my clients and enjoy picking out a perfect gift for someone special with them. I can help them decorate their homes personally. I can also help them dress for a special occasion. My clients have faith that I will be honest with them and chose what is in their best interest.”

Now, with her two stores a stone's throw apart, Flanagan is able to bounce back and forth between the two.

“Flowers in the Attic is doing great in its new location. Customers love the variety we offer and parking is available right in front of our door,” she said, “Since relocating we expanded into candy, food lines and gift baskets.”

Flanagan uses Facebook and Instagram to keep customers up to date with new items and special surprise discounts.

“I am always changing," Flanagan said, "researching new things and this year will bring more new surprises.”

For further information and hours, call 973-729-9502.