WESTWOOD, N.J.—Dozens of notes of surprise and support are flowing to the owner of The Canteen on social media this afternoon, hours after the boutique announced it was shuttering after eight years in business.
Owner Rayna Pine posted a farewell on the shop’s Facebook page, employing a smiling, haloed “feeling blessed” emoji to announce that “After eight fun-filled years it is time to say goodbye.”
Pine thanked customers for their business, their stories, their smiles, “and for letting us be a part of your families. We are so incredibly grateful and honored to have built so many amazing relationships.”
Pine told a Pascack Press reporter, “I’m starting a new phase of life, a new chapter; my kids are in Spain—I had an epiphany there—and it’s time for me to fly.”
She added, “I just… I love the town, and I wish the town the best. I want to go out on a high note.”
The colorful and vibrant store, at Five Corners, 277 Westwood Ave., specializes in custom items, from personalized baby gifts to items perfect for sleepaway camp and college.
Adjacent to The Canteen, under its bright blue awning, a Stack Creamery is inbound. And just a few stores away, the former L&N Grand stands empty, closed in 2019 after 60 years of business. The new building owner envisions a craft brewery.
Pine, who was active in the Chamber of Commerce, told Pascack Press, “I’ve serviced babies, college kids—I do camp appointments downstairs. I’ve serviced kids since they were 2 years old and now they’re 10 years old—and the 10-year-olds are now in college. So it’s a circle of life.”
She said she did not know when the last day will be. At press time there was a storewide sale of 25% off, with all sales final.
Pine says on her website’s “Our Story” page that she worked in the Garment District for 20 years then stayed at home with her two children for seven years, “working part time wherever she could, including five summers at a sleepaway camp owned by family members.”
In August 2011 she decided to combine her experience in fashion and trends with her love of motherhood.
“Together with her friends Lori and Andy Stern, who are sellers in the sleepaway camp supply business, Rayna created, a family-friendly gift shop that also specializes in summer camp,” the site says.
The Canteen opened in November 2011.
“I had young kids and I was away from them in the city, and I felt the need for a change. I didn’t want to have regrets, I want to look back on my life and say I was there for my children. I needed to reinvent myself,” Pine says on the site.
She describes The Canteen as “a place where people can come in and feel comfortable shopping with experienced staff to help find the perfect gift, party favors, and basic and unique sleepaway camp supplies.”
She also says The Canteen has a talented in-house airbrush graffiti artist who creates custom designs on sweatshirts, sweatpants, hi-top sneakers, hats and other accessories.
A mom blog at the time noted The Canteen emerged from a popular web-based shop selling camp goods “and then added super-cool totally mom approved gifts (think monogrammed tins and trays), games, accessories and clothing.”
A few of the messages coming in for Pine and her team:
- “Noooo. We love you guys! Best of luck!!!” — Dara London.
- “Oh no my favorite place??” — Jessica Feinhals Blume.
- “Great memories, great partnerships, love love love.” — Eliza Sutnick.
- “WOW! What an amazing store and culture you brought to life at THE CANTEEN. I haven’t been in the store in a while, because my girls got older… but we loved it! Best of Luck to you Rayna and your Canteen Family XO.” — Dana DeSimone.