Bay Ridge is about to lose some of its Zen.
Lavender Blue, the colorful aromatherapy shop that stocked its shelves with Reiki candles, custom body and room sprays, incense, and fancy gift baskets, is closing on Thursday, and Ridgites are already lamenting its passing.
“I’m going to miss it so much,” said shopper Desiree Woehrle. “It was the last place in Bay Ridge that had such unique products.”
With its eponymous colors brightening Third Avenue, the store stood out in a sea of concrete and brick thanks to owner Kelli Kilbride’s design, which she based on her own bathroom.
“I live in the bubble bath and I wanted people to have access to all the things I loved,” said Kilbride. “And people really appreciated that concept.”
Kilbride says she’s stepping out the tub to say her final goodbyes because she has been offered a job at PS 176 in Dyker Heights, which will allow her to spend more time with her 8-year-old daughter, Emily.
“I’ve been working holidays, weekends and summers for 14 years,” said Kilbride. “I don’t want to keep missing out on important events in my daughters life.”
Kilbride has been well-known face on Third Avenue since opening Caffé Café near 84th street in 1995. She sold the popular coffee shop seven years ago, but says she still drops by once in a while to see old friends
That won’t be the case with Lavendar Blue.
“I can’t come back and visit like at the Café,” said Kilbride. “I’m going to miss the interaction with the great people of Third Avenue.”
Lavender Blue [8702 Third Ave. at the corner of 87th Street, (718) 748-0332].
