Saying Goodbye to The Pink Daisy

After five decades, The Pink Daisy is closing its doors in June. Before we officially say goodbye, see what Linda had to say about her inspiration for opening the store, how it evolved, and what she plans to do next.

What inspired you to open The Pink Daisy?

It was right after a deep recession, and I had just been laid off from my job at First National Bank. My mother had her own business (The Pink Daisy in Elkins Park), and she gave me the best advice: even in a recession, people have to eat. 

So I learned everything I could about the cheese business and opened a little gourmet food shop on Main Street in Yardley in 1976. I called it Linda’s Country Cupboard.

How did your original store evolve into The Pink Daisy?

The shop gradually shifted from food to gifts, and I renamed it Linda’s Country Cousin. Around 1980, my mother suggested we share the name so we could advertise together. I loved the idea, and just like that, I became The Pink Daisy.

From there, the store kept moving and growing. I spent twelve years in Morrisville, and then, 33 years ago, I moved back to Yardley to the location I’m in now. The store, the styles, the products, and the customers all changed constantly over the years.

One of those changes happened about 15 years ago, when we noticed that our longtime customers still wanted to come in and shop despite having fully furnished homes. To give the people what they wanted, Carole and I started buying clothing, handbags, and accessories. That became a really important part of the business, especially as the gift and tabletop sides began to slow down as people started shopping online.

What impact do you think The Pink Daisy had on the community?

That’s something that’s really come into focus for me these last six months, as people have been coming in and expressing their sadness over the store closing. They’re happy for me, but also sad. And honestly, I’m sad too. 

It’s made me realize what an impact this little store really had on the neighborhood, and that means everything to me.

What’s your favorite memory from all these years?

Oh, I have so many. But one that really stays with me is from the Covid period. I was at the store, but scared to be there, so I had the lights off and was keeping a low profile.

One of my best customers came by and knocked on the door. She said she needed her fix and had to go shopping. I called Carole and said, “What do you think, should I let her in?” And I did. It’s still one of my fondest memories.

What will you miss the most?

My customers, without question. Most of the people who still love coming into a store like this are my kind of people. They want to touch things, be helped, and have an experience. I’ll miss them terribly.

I’ll also miss the creative side of it. My favorite thing is when someone walks in and says, “I’m building a house, and I need everything.” So, they want everyday dishes, silverware, glassware, the works, and I get to pull it all together for them. That’s the part that lights me up. 

And gift wrapping. I genuinely love gift wrapping. I’m actually toying with the idea of starting a little gift wrapping business in retirement, so maybe that’s not entirely behind me.

How did you come to the decision to close?

It was a combination of things, honestly. I’m 75, and that’s enough already! My lease was up in June, and we were going back and forth about whether to hold on another year. But then all the uncertainty around tariffs hit, and we were dealing with prices changing almost daily. 

Traffic had also slowed noticeably, and we were only getting one or two bridal registrations a year — something that had once been a real cornerstone of the business. But the internet changed everything. 

Younger people just don’t shop in stores the way they used to, and brands now want to sell directly to consumers.

The world I built this business in doesn’t quite exist anymore, and I think I’ve made my peace with that.

What’s next for you?

I am so ready for this next chapter. I’m selling my house and moving to be closer to my family, where I’ll have a beautiful view of the Delaware River, and I could not be more excited. 

I feel like I’ve been married to this store for fifty years. I never had time to have a real social life, like join a book club, play Mahjong, play cards, or even go out to lunch with a friend. For fifty years, the store always came first. Now it’s time for Linda! But I can’t wait to bump into customers out and about in Philadelphia.

We Will Miss You!

Linda and the rest of The Pink Daisy want to thank every customer who walked through the door and every person who came back year after year.

You are the reason this was worth doing and what kept the business going for over 50 years.