The Rural We: Jaclyn Ryan
The owner of Hither Lane tells us why she chose to open a shop in North Canaan, Connecticut.
North Canaan, Connecticut seems to be undergoing a renaissance, and Hither Lane, a kitchen, barware and pantry shop on Railroad Street, is part of it. The owner, Jaclyn Ryan, fills the store with ethically sourced, sustainable items for the home. She established Hither Lane as an online business from her home in Ancram, and then started looking for a storefront in the bigger towns like Hudson. But then she met Canaan, she says, and learned about its vibrant past. She shares their vision of what the town can be.
I grew up as a local in the Hamptons, part of a unique breed of people who grow up in a huge tourist area but are just a blue-collar family. You see two sides of life, which is increasingly happening in this area, where so many city folks have moved up. This is not really my first rodeo doing something that speaks to all sort of people. If I’m going to open a store, I want it to be a place where weekenders and locals can shop.
I’ve always worked in retail. I went to art school for art history, and after I graduated, went straight into growing my retail career in the corporate sector. I was head of training for two luxury brands. I used to teach a lot about emotional intelligence and ethical selling…the idea that nobody needs any of this stuff, and that’s okay. But I can enhance someone’s life, bring joy, and source ethically, supporting makers that have a larger impact on the world.
My philosophy in life is: don’t save things for a special occasion. Use the good glasses. Those moments at home are so important. That really struck me during the pandemic. Because of my job in corporate, I traveled all over the world. But you spend a lot of time alone, you miss home and your friends and family. When I got grounded, it struck me how important those little moments at home are and finding the most joy in those moments.
Not wanting to live out of a suitcase anymore, I wanted a business that I could control. I thought, why don’t I do something centered around the home, since I’m so passionate about this idea? I began an online business.
When I decided to open a popup store, friends told me that the recently reopened Colonial Theater in North Canaan has a place for popups, and in November I began using that space for the holidays. I expected to make some sales and then figure out the next steps. I didn’t expect to fall in love with Canaan and the surrounding communities. There was something very romantic hearing about what Canaan was like in the 50s and 60s, and then what happened with the train stopped coming, how wistful people are for those days. I signed a permanent lease January 1 after a successful December.
I knew it was risky, but I’ve always been scrappy, and it was my kind of challenge — to become part of rebuilding something. I’ve been inspired by the attitude of the owners of the Colonial Theater and wanted to be part of it. I just want to see people walking around the town.
It’s going to be interesting to see how Canaan continues to change and develop. People are invested in the success of this town.
