Hi, I'm Aubrey!

Hi, my name is Aubrey, daughter of Heidi "Ho"- owner of HiHo in Gardiner. As only a 14 year old, I've grown up around my moms genious-ness and natural talent for interior decorating. When we moved the store from New Paltz to Gardiner, in 2005, I was devastated. The store on North Front Street was the only store I had ever known. To calm me, my mother told me that I would be "department manager" of the pet area and pet's being something I loved, I was easily enthused. She quickly collected wholesale catalogues for me to search through and pick out merchandise that I wanted to use. She taught me how to 'place an order' with sales representatives, follow a color scheme and be financially conscious with pricing. Then she later asked me to paint the bathroom with flowers I knew from our garden from home. Earlier that year I had won a blue ribbon at the Ulster County Fair for a painting of the garden. I also participate in store events like when we launched the bridal registry we had a few years ago. My sister and I wore vintage dresses and my moms wedding dress was on display throughout the month of April along with her mothers vintage homemade vintage jacket worn at her wedding. I also helped out at every annual Tent Event, although I did have to make quick breaks to run to Gardiner Park to perform a tap routine with my dance studio. I also was Mrs. Claus' friendly elf when she visited HiHo from the North Pole. The laughter and snicker bars we shared will never be forgot. Mrs. Claus along with Mr. Claus have visited HiHo many times. Christmas at HiHo is always spectacular. At my home and at the store there's candy canes, Christmas lights, and mistletoe galore. It all kicks off with a great party. We invite family and friends to put up all the decorations for the store. One of my good friends Eva loves Christmas at HiHo so I invited her to the party and we were assigned to decorate the baby room. Between eating our hearts out in cheese doodles and slurping down cranberry juices with pizza, we actually accomplished something.
Because HiHo is known for Christmas, my mother decided to open up a permanent Christmas room in 2007. In there, a stage was built for Santa to sit after his long journeys from the North Pole. We set up the whole Christmas room in just 5 weeks.

I come and visit the store often to see my new friend Humphrey, grab a scoop of raspberry sorbet from the market across the street, chit chat with my Auntie Claudia and see whats new in the shop. Ciao!