Photos by Sabrina Sucato
From group workshops to pre-made arrangements, Fishkill’s green boutique has everything locals need for succulent success.
What’s not to love about succulents?
The Insta-perfect plants are one of the hottest trends in home décor, and for good reason. Because they store water in their leaves, they’re easy to keep alive – green thumb or not. Plus, it’s hard to deny how cute they look inside a glass terrarium or tiny terracotta pot.
Lucky for local greenery lovers, the Hudson Valley has Come To Your Scentses, a dedicated succulent diffuser bar in Fishkill, to help craft artful arrangements featuring the pretty, bitty plants. The shop has been open online since mid-April and in-person since early June. During that time, it’s fast developed a following among local crafters, gardeners, and friends who want to hang out, get their hands dirty, and create something beautiful.
“I’ve been an essential oil lover for years, [and] I used to teach classes about essential oils,” explains owner Sanya Lynn of her initial inspiration to open the store. After taking a succulent diffuser workshop for herself, she fast fell in love with the idea of pairing essential oils with plants for even more wellness benefits. Of course, she also liked the notion of the hands-on experience, one that would allow participants of all ages to get creative and have fun while crafting something beautiful.
So, when the Fishkill resident drove by the quaint little building that now houses her shop, she knew it was meant to be. Not only was it just the size and color she envisioned, but it was conveniently located on Route 52, just a few minutes away from her home. In no time at all, she signed a lease on the space and was ready to debut her brick-and-mortar vision for Come To Your Scentses in the Hudson Valley.
Then COVID-19 hit. Two weeks after signing her lease, Lynn realized that, because of the pandemic, she needed to put her in-person plans on pause. Even then, the entrepreneur and mother of one didn’t let the restrictions deter her. She launched her online shop in the spring as a way to spread the word about her business, which had previously operated as a pop-up shop in the Hudson Valley. Through it, she sells everything from themed succulent diffuser gift boxes to pre-crafted arrangements and D.I.Y. arrangement kits.
“The interest has been incredible,” she enthuses, adding that the hybrid experience of an online and now an in-person business is a perfect way for her to balance raising her son with fulfilling her entrepreneurial dreams. With the addition of the Fishkill storefront, she’s been able to further spread the word about her shop and plant boutique through her curated workshop offerings. While visitors can certainly drop in to browse the wares for gifting or crafting at home, they can also schedule a dedicated succulent diffuser workshop for themselves or a group. For parties of four or more, Lynn offers the option of entirely private sessions that can be held indoors, outdoors in the shop’s garden patio, or at someone’s home.
“We make everything affordable,” she says, adding that her workshops have drawn everyone from couples looking for unique date activities to birthday parties and Girl Scout troops. To keep visitors safe, she offers parties the choice between her inside and outside spaces, with the option to rent out the store completely for groups with four or more participants.
Looking ahead, Lynn anticipates the day she can add drop-in sessions to her arsenal of activities. Until then, she promotes her motto of “health meets happiness” both inside her Dutchess County location and through her online store. As a one-of-a-kind gift shop in the Hudson Valley, Come To Your Scentses aims to spark delight for visitors of all ages. Because of this, Lynn hopes to introduce succulent diffuser workshops for corporate events, team building sessions, and even weddings and bridal showers down the line.
“I wanted to create something that’s for everybody,” she says. “I’m all about the hands-on experience.”
Come To Your Scentses
1542 Rte 52 Ste B, Fishkill
