For months now area residents have watched with curiosity as subtle changes began to take over the old Lynn’s Hallmark building on the corner of E. Burdick and S. Washington streets. First the windows were covered over, then workers began coming and going, and, finally, new signs appeared on the outside.
Well, the wait is finally over as Best of Both Worlds, LLC, throws open its doors to the Oxford community.
Founded in December 2002, Best of Both Worlds is an Anglo-American company started by Lapeer resident Cindy Bradford and Englishman Chris Batty, from Liverpool, England. The co-owners have 35 year of retail experience between them, with seven of those over the Internet.
‘I met Chris through trading on the internet,? explained Bradford, ‘he was a customer of mine. We had both just sold our businesses and we began talking about a new way to offer our products.?
Thanks to this British-American connection, Best of Both Worlds, LLC, is able to offer the Oxford area a wide-variety of products ranging from gifts cards to home decor to collectibles. Many of the items offered are unique within Michigan.
The quality greeting cards come from well-known suppliers such as Blue Mountain Arts, Lang, Leaning Tree and Tree Free Greetings. Some of the collectible lines include Bonsai Trees, several lines of collectible Disney figurines, Handmade Chinese Teapots, Cherished Teddies, Pooh and Friends, the humorous sculptures of Guillermo Forchino by Willits Designs, Ashton Drake Dolls, Prayers and Promises and Mother Says Figurines by Demdaco, and August Moon from Lang.
And if that isn’t enough, Best of Both Worlds also offers glass and stemware from around the world (including Italy, Romania and the U.K.), fantastic prints and canvas transfers, tapestry and throws, Heritage lace, sculptures and vases, collectors curios and furniture accents.
‘It’s a unique store with a great location,? said Bradford. ‘Our product lines will continue to grow and change to meet the needs of our customers.?
‘My goal is to bring this type of merchandise to meet the needs of the people here,? she continued. ‘We are filling a need for collectibles, gifts and unique home decor with an international flavor.?
Best of Both Worlds officially opened on August 2. Bradford said she will be holding the official grand opening in September after Labor Day. A special Disney event will also be held that month.
‘This is a great place to come to pick-up a card or a gift for someone, and then find some collectibles or home decor items for yourself,? concluded Bradford. ‘We have a very unique product mix to meet everyone’s needs.?
Best of Both Worlds is open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and closed Sundays. Shop hours will expand during the holiday seasons. For more information on the store and its wide variety of products, please stop by at 2 S. Washington St. or give Bradford a call at 248-628-8650.