By Beth Barhydt
The bells on the door ring as it opens and Sophia Scarpelli looks up from a display of snow globes. A young boy presses his face to the glass of the front window, mesmerized by a glowing snow lantern. His mother brings him inside, her eyes shifting between the glittering ornaments, the festive pillows, and the shelves lined with candles that smell faintly of pine. “This is beautiful,” she says, almost to herself. Sophia, tall and striking, steps forward, holding up a snow globe that hums with soft, tinkling music.
“This one has a train that moves, circling the tree at the bottom,” she says, shaking it gently so the glitter inside swirls like a snowstorm. “Magical, right?” She smiles, and the woman laughs, nodding.
This is Sophia’s, now nestled at 428 East Putnam Avenue in Cos Cob—a smaller space than the sprawling store on Liberty Way where Sophia built her reputation over four decades. There, her shop was an anchor of downtown Greenwich, a destination for vintage costumes, quirky gifts, and a little bit of magic. But in 2021, when her lease ended, she had no choice but to leave the space that had become her second home.
“I didn’t want to go,” she says, her voice softening. “But sometimes life pushes you in a different direction. And when it does, you have to trust yourself to make something new, something good.”
In the hands of anyone else, the forced move might have spelled the end of a storied business. But for Sophia, it became an opportunity to reimagine what her shop could be.
The new Sophia’s is smaller, yes, but every inch reflects her warmth and energy. High ceilings lend the space an airy charm, and every corner is a feast for the senses: ornaments sparkle under soft light, candles flicker on carefully arranged shelves, and playful stocking stuffers— irreverent cards, whimsical trinkets—invite laughter.
“I want people to walk in and feel like they’ve stepped into another world,” she says, pausing to adjust a garland of twinkling lights. “Especially at Christmas. We all need a little magic.”
Sophia herself is as much a draw as the merchandise. She has a presence that commands attention, but it’s her warmth that lingers. She moves through the shop with purpose, greeting regulars by name, helping first-timers find exactly what they didn’t know they needed.
“She makes you feel like you’re the only person in the room,” says one customer with a silk jewelry pouch that Sophia had just shown her. “She has so many cool things.”
But behind the laughter and the ease is a story of resilience. When the pandemic hit, Sophia’s world was turned upside down. Events were canceled, costumes gathered dust, and the shop—a Greenwich institution—faced an uncertain future.
Her bank at the time refused to help, leaving her feeling abandoned. “Nobody wanted to help. I felt like I was sinking.”
Then came a lifeline: The First Bank of Greenwich, just two doors down from her new shop. Under the leadership of Frank Gaudio, the bank guided Sophia through the pandemic, ensuring that her business could stay afloat.
“Frank and his team saved me,” she says simply. “They didn’t just step in—they cared.”
That care extends to the relationships Sophia has built with her neighbors. On the other side of her shop is The Happy Coin, owned by Chris Moran. “Chris is someone you can totally trust,” she says. “Whether you’re buying or selling, he’s the person you want.”
This grouping—Sophia’s, The First Bank of Greenwich, and The Happy Coin—is just one small part of Cos Cob life, indicative of the its resilience and heart.
December is when Sophia’s truly comes alive. Outside, her windows glow with frosted snowflakes and tiny Christmas scenes. Inside, snow globes hum, ornaments glint, and customers are captivated by the wonder of it all. Sophia watches them and smiles.
“At Christmas, you want people to feel something,” she says. “Joy, nostalgia, and definitely laughter. That’s what this place is about.”
It’s not just about selling gifts; it’s about creating moments. A woman hesitates over a candle, and Sophia steps in. “This one burns for 170 hours,” she says. “And when it’s done, you can use it as a lantern. Isn’t that lovely?” The woman nods, charmed.
Sophia’s enthusiasm is infectious. A young couple laughs as she shows them a novelty pack of gum that reads, “My dentist said I needed a crown. I was like, I know, right?”
“Laughter is the best gift,” Sophia says, her smile widening. “We need more of it.”
For Sophia, the magic of her store isn’t just in the merchandise— it’s in the connections she builds, the laughter she sparks, the sense of belonging she offers. “People come here for different reasons,” she says. “Sometimes they need a gift, sometimes they need to feel seen. Whatever it is, I want them to leave happier than when they walked in.”
And they do.
With parking behind the shop, on the street, and across the road, it’s as accessible as it is enchanting.
Sophia’s is located at 428 East Putnam Avenue, Cos Cob and her website is at sophiasgallery.com. Holiday Hours Through End of December are Tuesday – Saturday 10am to 6pm Sunday 12pm – 6pm.
