Winchester Patch Conversations: Who are Nick and Lizzie on Thompson Street?

Nick and Lizzie's Sweet Surprise is a staple on Thompson Street for Winchester pride apparel for the whole family. Or if you have a sweet tooth, this is the place to get sweets by the handful. Owner Janet Twombly took a few minutes to talk about her business with Winchester Patch.

WP: How long have you been here?

JT: Eleven years.

WP: How would you describe this store?

JT: Well, it’s a gift store but it has a lot of Winchester merchandise. We’re the only store in town that carries the Winchester merchandise. So we do a huge business with that. And then we have lots of candy and lots of gifts.

WP: Are you guys partnered with the schools in town?

JT: No, we do it on our own, but the logos are on the sweatpants and sweatshirts. We also have pajamas and t-shirts. Any Winchester apparel, we carry.

WP: Are you a Winchester resident?

JT: (Whispers) No… But I do love it here.

WP: How did you originally get into this business?

JT: I was a buyer for Macy’s and Jordan Marsh and Abraham and Strouse for thirty years and I decided when my kids were in school that I wanted to open my own business.

WT: What’s the business climate like down here in the middle of town?

JT: It’s really good. Especially good in the afternoon. Once the kids get out of school, the place is mobbed. They like the candy and the little gifts. Most of our business right now is for warm clothes: Scarves, gloves, hats, slippers, that kind of stuff. Business has been good this fall and we hope it’ll be even better towards the holidays.

WP: So obviously this is a very seasonal business?

JT: Definitely. Right now, fall and holidays are obviously the best time of year. Business is really good right now. I think people are Christmas shopping early this year. But most of the stuff is mostly cozy, so sweatshirts, slippers and those kinds of things are perfect. I like to be cozy stuff, so the store is mostly cozy.

WP: One last question, who are Nick and Lizzie?

JT: Those are my kids.

WP: No kidding? How old are they?

JT: Nick is 24 and Lizzie is 17, but they were little when I first started. They used to love coming in here to work.