Meet Tracey & Jill
Born and raised in Newburyport, sisters Tracey Jacques (Hovan) and Jill Hovan are proud to continue the tradition of Partridge in a Bear Tree. For nearly 20 years, Jill has worked in the store, helping curate the unique collections and timeless treasures that customers have come to love.
Together, Tracey and Jill are committed to preserving the warmth, exceptional quality, and personal service that have always defined the shop. They look forward to welcoming both familiar faces and first-time visitors while carrying this cherished Newburyport tradition into the future.
A Store Built on Joy
In 2002, Kevin Riley opened the doors to Partridge in a Bear Tree with a simple dream—to create a place where the magic of Christmas could be experienced every day of the year.
Inspired by the love he shared with his mother for Christmas traditions, Kevin transformed that dream into something much bigger than a retail store.
Over the next twenty-three years, Partridge in a Bear Tree became woven into the fabric of downtown Newburyport.
For countless families, a visit to the store became part of the holiday tradition.
For visitors, it became a place to discover a little piece of Newburyport to take home.
For locals, it became a place filled with laughter, memories, sparkling ornaments, friendly faces, and a little Christmas magic—even in July.
Kevin believed shopping should be fun.
He believed people should smile when they walked through the door.
He believed traditions matter.
Those values remain at the heart of everything we do today.