By Kate Bartlett
Lynn Timon has been a grateful Ellicottville community member since 1984. Having lived in the area for almost 40 years, she’s witnessed this small town go through many changes evolving into the four-seasons destination that it is today. Lynn is proud to call Ellicottville home, and to be a part of what gives it that small town charm. Locals and visitors alike look forward to Lynn’s casual but personal customer service at ‘Alexandra,’ a gift shop she’s worked in for the past 23 years.
Lynn was born and raised in Southern California. She married and had 4 children before moving to Ellicottville with her family in 1984 when her husband relocated for his job. Her first job here was working for Heidi Widger at Adventure Bound. Since she has always been a people person, Lynn found this job to suit her well. She found it satisfying and fun to facilitate customers preparing for ski or summer adventures.
“I’ve seen many changes to the village in the past 38 years. Years ago, more families with children lived here full time. Skiers bought ski homes or rented for the whole ski season and participated in local activities and events. They became close friends and an integral part of the community. It was much quieter, but businesses here suffered in the off-season,” Lynn remembers.
After several years, Lynn pursued a job that more suited her artistic nature. She worked for Luminite Products Corporation, formerly located in Salamanca. Her duties included color separating, interpreting and redrawing wallcovering designs by hand to be laser-engraved onto print cylinders. “Wallpaper was very popular in those days, and all of the designs were drawn by hand,” Lynn recalls. “It was quite a process, and I loved it.” Eventually Lynn’s position became redundant. Fortunately, the owner of “Alexandra”, Joan Ess, was looking for a new manager. Joan interviewed Lynn in September 2000 and she’s been happily working there ever since.
Alexandra is a contemporary gift store located at 10 Washington Street in the village of Ellicottville. The shop specializes in bath & body products, candles, pottery, glassware, cards and home goods. Each line is carefully selected by Joan. Lynn has found her niche offering “laid-back customer service,” as she calls it, helping people find gifts or select items for themselves and celebrate the simple joys the shop offers. “I’ve never been a ‘hard-sell’ person. I enjoy letting people browse and I’m available to help if and when they need my assistance.” Lynn strives to provide a casual, relaxing atmosphere by welcoming all who enter, hoping to give them a break from the outside world.
“The beauty of shopping in Ellicottville is the small-town experience. It’s disappearing from so many areas with the growth of big box stores like Walmart and online retailers like Amazon. Luckily, it is still thriving here in Ellicottville.” Lynn appreciates the opportunity for connection when people shop locally. “So many people miss out on the gift of human interaction when they shop at the big stores. When you shop small and shop local, you are given the chance to connect with people in the community, and you make a difference. Then both the shops and the community thrive.”
Lynn has taken over some of the re-ordering over the years. One of the favorite parts of her job is selecting greeting cards, funny napkins, coasters and magnets. “I love making these choices, and it’s validating when I hear customers laughing and sharing them with their friends. It’s not a small thing to bring a smile to someone’s face. It’s an opportunity to spread joy and I’m grateful for that. It’s so important these days to laugh and relax. We often forget that in today’s society. Our shop offers that sanctuary; an escape from some of the pressures of everyday life.”
For many years, Lynn was also involved in drawing most of the front covers for “E’ville Events” a local bi-monthly publication. As one of many volunteers, she remembers how they all spent hours typing, copying, cutting and pasting (with rubber cement) articles and advertisements. “The process was so much more involved and time consuming than how it’s done now. But it was a great artistic and social outlet and a fun way to serve the community.” The publication started in the early 1980’s and was an all-volunteer based monthly production. “So many wonderful women were involved. The original publishers were Mary Duszynski, Lori Northrup, Janet Tekavec and Pat Enger assisted by Marg O’Brien. Mary’s daughter, M.J. Brown took over as chief editor many years ago and remains our fearless leader.”
Lynn is proud to maintain the small town feeling of Ellicottville at Alexandra, and commented about the kind nature of this community. “We’re all here for each other and we help each other out whenever we can. If our store doesn’t have what someone is looking for, I’m happy to refer them to another store in the village. We’re all in this together. I’m happy to be working, I’m grateful for my job, and I’m so glad to be able to live here.”
Lynn hopes to be a bright spot in someone’s day by helping them find whatever they want. “We all have the opportunity to make even a little difference, every day. I love the quote by Mahatma Gandhi “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Lynn Timon pictured shopping at the Beekman Store in Sharon Springs, NY last May. ‘Alexandra’ carries their line of goat milk products. Photo/Andre’a Timon