ADRIAN — Cynthia Denning-Moore spent many years in Chicago selling office furniture to Fortune 500 companies. But she found a home in downtown Adrian when she opened her gift shop, The Blue Finch, in April 2023. 

Denning-Moore moved to Adrian in 2016, and commuted to Chicago until COVID. But when her job changed to largely work on Zoom, she found that “it wasn’t fun anymore.” That’s when the idea of working in Adrian took hold. 

“When I started staying home and getting invested in Adrian, things started to change for me,” Denning-Moore said. She and her husband, Chip Moore of Adrian Insurance, owned the building at 112 N. Main St., and he suggested that she open a store when it became available. 

Denning-Moore describes the Blue Finch as “a real gift shop.” Finding unique items for the store is her goal, and she looks for items from small makers that are either European or U.S.-made, and “hopefully in Michigan,” she said.  

“I’m trying really hard to find things that people don’t see everywhere, so we’ve got quite a few things from France and Michigan and Sweden and different areas of the world,” she added. 

Gift items in the store range from candles, accessory bags, umbrellas, notecards, kitchen, tabletop items and jewelry. The Blue Finch also carries some vintage pieces. 

Making the commitment to work in Adrian has been a personal investment. 

“I think the most important thing for me about opening the store was community,” Denning-Moore said. “It’s about being part of the community, helping people find a gift, getting to know people, adding to downtown.”

“I love the excitement when people come in,” she continued. “I mean, they love it, so that’s fun.”

Helping customers find the right gift for someone, including themselves, is another big part of owning the store. 

“It’s fun to be part of their life,” she said.

In addition to regular business hours, Denning-Moore said she is “always available” to open the store by appointment.

“I don’t care if you just want to look,” she added. 

The Blue Finch is at 112 N. Main St., Adrian. Hours are Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information at thebluefinchadrian.com or 630-234-0495.