In 1974, with her husband Jim, Mary Lou Chalmers
realized a childhood dream and established a gift shop in the
Towne Plaza, in North Chili. Housed in the building of the
former Pocket Theater, the shop (left) focused on Early
American decor. For the next 25 years, the store evolved
and grew steadily before building it's new home (above)
across the street.
realized a childhood dream and established a gift shop in the
Towne Plaza, in North Chili. Housed in the building of the
former Pocket Theater, the shop (left) focused on Early
American decor. For the next 25 years, the store evolved
and grew steadily before building it's new home (above)
across the street.
How it started
Located in the heart of North Chili, a quaint suburb of
Rochester, NY, The Glue Factory Gift Shop has been a favorite
shopping destination of Western New Yorker's for over 30
years. We offer a distinctive blend of Victorian and Country
gifts and home accessories to choose from. Inspired by
Nantucket, Massachusetts architecture, our store offers
customers a warm, inviting atmosphere with over 6,500 square
feet to explore. In addition to local and regional products, we
offer a wide selection of popular brands including Vera Bradley,
Yankee Candle and Crabtree and Evelyn.
Rochester, NY, The Glue Factory Gift Shop has been a favorite
shopping destination of Western New Yorker's for over 30
years. We offer a distinctive blend of Victorian and Country
gifts and home accessories to choose from. Inspired by
Nantucket, Massachusetts architecture, our store offers
customers a warm, inviting atmosphere with over 6,500 square
feet to explore. In addition to local and regional products, we
offer a wide selection of popular brands including Vera Bradley,
Yankee Candle and Crabtree and Evelyn.
About The Glue Factory
Why The Glue Factory?
The store's inspiration came from Chalmers Gelatin Works, a five-generation family business. The gelatin
factory, a landmark in the couple's hometown of Williamsville, New York, had been affectionately
dubbed by locals "the glue factory". It seemed fitting to name the store after the business that had such an
impact on their family. In 1999, a contest was held to solicit possible alternative names for the new store.
In overwhelming fashion, customers voted to keep the unique name.
factory, a landmark in the couple's hometown of Williamsville, New York, had been affectionately
dubbed by locals "the glue factory". It seemed fitting to name the store after the business that had such an
impact on their family. In 1999, a contest was held to solicit possible alternative names for the new store.
In overwhelming fashion, customers voted to keep the unique name.
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