A pop-up finds immersion

‘Tell me two things about a person, and then let me tell you what to get.” 

Those are the words of Jacyln Ryan, the proprietor of Hither Lane, a pop-up in the Colonial Theatre building on Railroad Street that is one of the latest incarnations of the North Canaan renaissance. 

Ryan, who is from Ancram, New York, has strong roots in retail and said that she “really likes meeting customers on the floor.” 

Her shop, located in one of the street-facing rooms of the Colonial, offers an eclectic mix of kitchen, barware and pantry-focused gifts that are in a price range that is accessible, she noted, ranging from $7 to $100. Some of her specialty items include vases, cheese plates, salts, olive oils and chocolate bars. 

The store is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ryan started Hither Lane about one year ago as a business centered around an  at-home model. She said that she has had difficulty finding rental spaces while looking around Hudson, New York, and in Dutchess and Columbia counties.

She opened the pop-up before Thanksgiving and said it will be in the location through the end of December.

But Ryan, who moved to the region from Brooklyn during the pandemic, also has been charmed by the sense of rejuvenance in North Canaan.

“I’m drawn to the small towns around here, and I want to experience the renaissance,” she said. “I certainly feel that’s happening here.” 

Railroad Street recently has become home for Ilse Coffee and a new branch of Covered Bridge Electric Bike, which has locations in West Cornwall and Kent. Down the street, Homegrown Cafe offered pretty much only source of smoothies for miles around, but plans to close. Not to forget, the Colonial Theatre is becoming a big draw as a community space.

Ryan’s message is: “We have gifts for anyone in your life without having to think too hard.” One display in the shop offers ideas for “beer lovers, cheese lovers, spice lovers and cocktail lovers.” 

She said her experience in this holiday pop-up is making her consider a longer-term relationship.

“I’m being convinced by the community to stay,” she said. “Maybe expand into other categories and become something like a general store.” 

“It has been touching to become immersed in this community,” she said. 

Hither Lane is located in the front space of the refurbished Colonial Theatre in North Canaan. Photo by Colin Bazzano