About Us

Established in 1989, The Bowerbird in Old Lyme, Connecticut represents the quintessential family shopping experience. The Bowerbird strives to offer products and services that reflect quality, uniqueness, affordability and fun with an emphasis on superior customer service.
With over 4,500 square feet of "impulsive necessities" from over 2,000 vendors, their vast selection of great gifts includes; decorative home and garden accessories, toys, baby gifts, stationery, jewelry, gourmet food; all that's fun, special, and trendy. Worth the trip from anywhere!

So...what is a Bowerbird?

From Webster:

noun bow-er-bird \ ˈbau̇(-ə)r-ˌbərd 

any of a family (Ptilonorhychidae) of passerine birds of Australia and New Guinea in which the male builds a chamber or passage arched over with twigs and grasses, often adorned with bright-colored objects, and used especially to attract the female.

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Bowerbird Gift Wrap Donation Program

 

Pictured L-R: Kirsten Cooksley of The Bowerbird, Greg Allen and Floresia Allen, founder of S.W.E.E.T. Potato Society and Chris Kitchings, owner of The Bowerbird.

The Bowerbird in Old Lyme, CT recently wrapped up their 2024-2025 Gift Wrap Campaign. They donated $3,677.50 to the S.W.E.E.T. Potato Society of Old Lyme, CT, representing 1,749 packages wrapped.

The Bowerbird has selected the Connecticut Brain Tumor Alliance based in West Hartford, CT as the recipient of the proceeds from their 2025-2026 gift-wrap program. The Connecticut Brain Tumor Alliance, Inc. (CTBTA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing hope and support to brain tumor patients and caregivers, while advancing brain tumor awareness, quality of care, and brain tumor research. The Bowerbird donation program runs from November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2026.

 The Bowerbird charges a nominal fee for gift-wrapping purchases and donates 50% to local non-profit organizations.
The Bowerbird pioneered ‘cause’ marketing when they created their gift wrap donation program in 1992. In the past twenty-nine years, The Bowerbird has donated over $113,000 to 34 statewide and local non- profits proving that small businesses can make a difference.

Please keep reading for a complete list of past recipients.

  • 2024-'25 S.W.E.E.T. Potato Society $3,677.50      1,749 packages
  • 2023-'24 A Place Called Hope $3,517      1,405 packages
  • 2022-'23  A Place Called Hope  $3,737   1,608 packages
  • 2021-'22  LOL Food Share Garden  $3,605   2,064 packages
  • 2020-'21  Safe Futures  $3,058   2,597 packages
  • 2019-'20  Safe Futures  $2,747   1,812 packages
  • 2018-'19  East Street Arts  $3,845   1,983 packages
  • 2017-'18  Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center  $4,044   2,894 packages
  • 2016-'17  Waterford Country School  $4,496.00   3,253 packages
  • 2015-'16  Read to Grow, Inc.  $5,335.00   3,897 packages
  • 2014-'15  Connecticut Children's Medical Center   $5,360.00   4,019 packages
  • 2013-'14  Eastern Connecticut Ballet   $5,228.00   4,000 packages
  • 2012-'13  Lyme-Old Lyme Lions Club   $4,883.00   2,870 packages
  • 2011-'12  The Connection   $4,921.00   3,571 packages
  • 2010-'11 Connecticut Families for Effective Autism Treatment   $4,611.00   3,326 packages
  • 2009-'10  American Heart Association   $4,161.00   2,795 packages
  • 2008-'09  Child & Family Agency of Southeastern CT   $4,302.00   2,940 packages
  • 2007-'08  Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation   $5,307.00   3,481 packages  
  • 2006-'07 Estuary Council of Seniors based in Old Saybrook and the Alzheimer Association Connecticut Chapter   $5,638.00   3,675 packages
  • 2005-'06  Charter Oak Chapter of the American Red Cross   $4,171.00   4,153 packages
  • 2004-'05 Old Lyme Affordable Housing and Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern CT   $4,354   4,302 packages
  • 2003-'04 Connecticut Forest and Park Association and Old Lyme Conservation Trust   $3,984.00   3,936 packages
  • 2002-'03 Visiting Nurse Association Inc. Old Lyme   $3,905.00   3,872 packages
  • 2001-'02 Lyme Fire Department and Old Lyme Fire Department   $4,486   4,427 packages
  • 2000-'01 Literacy Volunteers of America Valley Shore and New London Chapters   $2,378.00   4,905 packages
  • 1999-'00  Pet Connections, Inc.   $2,820.00   5,357 packages
  • 1998-'99  Shoreline Soup Kitchen   $2,388.00   4,734 packages
  • 1997-'98  Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut   $1,413.00   5,153 packages
  • 1996-'97  High Hopes, Therapeutic Riding   $1,172.00   4,178 packages
  • 1995-'96  Lymes' Youth Service Bureau and Old Lyme Children's Learning Center   $1,139.00   4,065 packages
  • 1994-'95  Lyme Senior Center   $725.00   2,880 packages
  • 1993-'94  Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, Old Lyme   $495.00   1,000 packages