Frogmore Country's Elegance: 45 years of offering holiday treasures

ANDOVER — The Frogmore Country's Elegance in Andover kicked off the Christmas season with their 45th Holiday Open House to celebrate its anniversary.

Attracting locals each year, such as Hanna Reardon of Byram and her mother, Cindy. They attended last year and Hanna tasted the best homemade ham she'd ever had.

"They know how to kick off the holiday season," Cindy Reardon said.

On Nov. 7 and 8, Frogmore Country Elegance — Sussex County's largest boutique and gift store — not only held the open house, they combined it with the celebration of their 45th anniversary. Raffles, a free gift with every purchase and homemade food underscored the evening for customers.

Owner Kate Reinhardt, of Byram, bought the store in 1991. She said that since the store originally featured Victorian antiques, the name Frogmore was chosen because it's the name of the property adjoining Windsor Castle where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are buried.

Though she's retained the name, much has changed under the roof of the country store located on Route 206 in Andover. To keep up with the competition in the area, Reinhardt has changed a number of the products she sells with the focus on featuring high quality, American-made specialty items.

"With the arrival of the big box stores, our collectibles ends died out," she said. "People were drawn to $15.95 items at the big boxes that were made in China."

Where these stores get a break on shipping due to the quantity they carry, Reinhardt does not.

"Stores like Frogmore don't get price breaks and we pay the highest taxes," she added.

So to compete, Reinhardt features what the big box stores do not. Frogmore is the only store in the area to feature Pandora. They are always fully stocked with Brighton, Vera Bradley, Sonoma Lavender, Crabtree and Evelyn, Melissa and Doug and more. Chocolates and a bath and body department are also available.

Reinhardt also carries "My Flat" in London line created by Brighton designer Jan Haedich.

"It's one of my favorite lines that we carry," said Frogmore employee Kaycee Cerni of Byram. "It's so much fun working here and the people are great."

Reinhardt has also brought in not just all kinds of made-in-America lines, but also made-in-New-Jersey lines such as Jersey Girl Sterling Silver Jewelry.

"I love shopping here and this is a great big event to start the holiday season," said Pam Raynor, of Newton who was shopping with Marie Davies.

"You just never have enough Brighton or Vera Bradley," Davies added.