William Wayne & Company

I went there with my wife to get a house gift. They’re stuff is gorgeous, but mostly out of our price range for this particular occasion. We did find something within our budget. It was even less than we wanted to spend — $ 27.50, but they wrapped it up beautifully, and treated us like we were visiting royalty. We’ve been there before, and that’s par for the course. And, obviously, we’ll be back in the future. I don’t know who took care of the people who had negative comments about the service, but whoever was working there then wasn’t working there today (or any other time we’ve been in).

While I have to admit this store has charming home décor and gifts, the customer service and treatment is atrocious. First let me say that I have shopped here for upwards of 5 years. I have bought many gifts for friends here, have bought things for my own home, have brought my mother here to shop and even registered for my wedding here. That being said, customers are treated like they are inferior and a nuisance. My first poor experience has been in interacting with a woman (I’ll leave her name out of it, but if you have been to this store you know who I am talking about) at the University store. She is dismissive and argumentative and orders around the junior store help in front of customers. I had to deal with her when I received a gift from my registry that I no longer wanted because it was duplicative of a gift someone sent me from somewhere else. She indicated I could not get store credit because this item is «special order.» (note: I did not want to return it, I wanted store credit to actually purchase something more expensive). How, as a customer, am I supposed to know this if there is no policy online, no label on the product, no agreement or policy associated with signing up for a registry that makes this clear? While I understand they are not a mass retailer, and cannot accept any and all returns, they also cannot expect customers to abide by a «policy» that they are never made aware of. After being told this, I phoned the uptown store and spoke to either William or Wayne. He reiterated (rudely) the «policy» and then hung up on me. Yes, hung up on me.
While I value and understand the circumstances of a small business are VERY different from a mass retailer, you cannot treat customers this way. Snobbery and rudeness are not appreciated and are no way to hold onto a client base or get recommendations. Yes, the store has lovely and unique things, but it’s not worth the infuriating treatment. It’s sad because my mother and I have purchased many lovely things for our home but we will have to search elsewhere now.

Small but adorable store. They have a wonderful selection of cobalt blue vases, chinoiserie plates, candles, trays, and other goodies. The downside is that some items are wayy overpriced like a pink faux leather waste basket for $ 85. And when I asked the woman sales assistant there she just obnoxiously answered «that’s the way it’s priced. I don’t know what else to say». The only reason I stayed and bought from them was because the super friendly male staff. Such a shame for such an adorable store.

Incredibly rude staff. My friend and I went in and looked around while quietly and respectfully talking about the wares. Were followed around by an obnoxious sales woman who lectured us on how our behavior was inappropriate for a place of business.
No wonder the place was empty!

this is one of my favorite gift stores. need the perfect hostess gift? wedding gift off the dreaded «registry»? upscale perfectly curated gift shop that has one of a kind finds along with standard items with a twist. helpful staff, jam packed store. you will see at least three things you can’t live without.

This is the nicest gift shop I’ve visited in the City. While some of their stuff is too pricy, there is a range of gifts that are more affordable. They have a nice selection from the whimsical to the vintage. I recommend especially for those times you don’t know exactly what to gift but know you should.

This is a small, compact spot, but it packs a punch. Gorgeous housewares include vases, dishes, mirrors, and the list of colorful, chic treasures goes on and on.
My choice, an indigo blue vase which also came in clear and amber. If I had a house that warranted buying hurricane vases for candles, this would be my oasis. Another vase contender was the one etched with bees, one large bee or multiple little ones. Or do you prefer palm fronds perhaps?
This is the kind of place where toile, art deco lanterns, mirrored pieces, and octagonal shapes abound.