L.V. Harkness & Company

For those in Lexington, Kentucky, seeking truly distinctive and timeless gifts, or elegant additions to their own homes, L.V. Harkness & Company at 531 W Short St stands as a beacon of luxury and sophisticated taste. More than just a gift shop, it is a curated emporium where quality craftsmanship meets exceptional design, offering a selection that ranges from exquisite fine china and elegant dinnerware to unique home décor accents and personalized treasures. For over 25 years, L.V. Harkness has been a trusted name in Central Kentucky, known for helping locals celebrate life's significant milestones and elevate everyday living.

The store prides itself on a collection of distinctive pieces sourced from around the world, transforming houses into homes and moments into cherished memories. Whether you're looking for a bridal registry, a unique corporate gift, or a special item for a loved one, L.V. Harkness aims to provide a selection that is both luxurious and meaningful. As one delighted customer enthusiastically shared, "The best place for a beautiful timeless gift. We buy just about every gift from LV! We also bought our flatware from them and their customer service was exceptional. I had the artist paint a portrait of our home for my husband's Christmas gift. I of course requested this last minute and he had it finished in time and it is proudly displayed in our home." This testimonial highlights not only the quality of their offerings but also their commitment to going above and beyond for their clientele.

While a recent review mentioned an isolated instance of a perceived inconsistency in opening hours and initial service, the overwhelming sentiment from many long-time patrons consistently praises the exceptional customer service and the trust they place in the L.V. Harkness team. This dedication to personal attention and a willingness to accommodate special requests is what truly makes L.V. Harkness a cherished local establishment, encouraging residents to "get out and drive downtown to shop local." It’s a place where you can find elegance, artistry, and a truly memorable shopping experience right here in Lexington.

L.V. Harkness & Company is ideally situated at 531 W Short St, Lexington, KY 40507, USA. This address places the store in the vibrant heart of downtown Lexington, a prime location that contributes significantly to its accessibility and charm. West Short Street is a well-known artery in the city's core, making it a familiar and straightforward destination for residents from various Lexington neighborhoods and those visiting the downtown area.

Its placement is particularly convenient as it's located "1 block up Felix Street off W. Main Street, across from Central Bank Center/Rupp Arena." This central positioning means it is often within walking distance for those exploring downtown Lexington, whether they are attending an event at Rupp Arena, working in the city center, or enjoying the local dining scene. For those driving, downtown Lexington offers various parking options, including street parking (though it's always advisable to check local regulations and availability) and nearby parking garages. The upscale nature of the surrounding area also adds to the ambiance of visiting L.V. Harkness, making the journey part of the overall elevated shopping experience. Its established presence in such a prominent part of the city solidifies L.V. Harkness & Company as an easily reachable and esteemed destination for fine gifts and home decor in Kentucky.

L.V. Harkness & Company offers a suite of personalized services that go beyond simple retail, designed to provide a comprehensive and luxurious gifting and home decor experience for their Lexington clientele.

• Luxury Home Décor & Fine Gift Retail: The primary service is providing a meticulously curated collection of high-end products across various categories:

  • Dining & Entertaining: Exquisite dinnerware, flatware, serveware, barware, glassware, and table linens from renowned brands like Herend, Juliska, and Baccarat.
  • Decorative Accents: Frames, figurines, candles & diffusers, equestrian-themed items, vases, bowls, and unique objets d'art.
  • Bed & Bath: Premium bedding, throws, pillows, and body & bath products.
  • Jewelry: A selection of fine jewelry pieces.
  • Bags & Travel: Stylish bags and travel accessories.
  • Gifts by Occasion: Curated selections for weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, housewarmings, holidays, and more.
  • Corporate & Business Gifts: Customized gifts and trophies for companies looking to make a lasting impression.

• Luxury Gift Registry Service: A significant offering for special occasions like weddings, engagements, or baby showers. Couples and individuals can create a personalized wish list of items from L.V. Harkness's extensive collection, making gifting seamless and ensuring recipients receive cherished items. This service includes dedicated support to manage registries.

• Design Bar & Personalization Services: This unique service allows for custom touches. Customers can personalize items with monograms, engraving, embossing, and etching on various materials like glass, crystal, metal, pewter, silver, porcelain, sandstone, fabric, and leather. This adds a unique and personal touch to gifts and home items, including custom stationery.

• Complimentary Gift Wrapping: To ensure every gift truly makes an entrance, L.V. Harkness offers complimentary, elegant gift wrapping services for purchases made in-store, elevating the presentation of your thoughtful selections.

• Same-Day Click & Collect (Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store): For convenience, customers can browse and purchase items online and pick them up at the Lexington store, often on the same day, blending the ease of online shopping with the immediacy of local pickup.

• Personal Shopping / By Appointment: Customers can book an in-store appointment with the L.V. Harkness team for a truly curated and VIP shopping experience, allowing for focused attention and expert guidance in selecting the perfect items. The store also accepts appointments on Mondays when usually closed.

• Online Shopping: The robust e-commerce website allows customers to shop 24/7, browse their full inventory, manage registries, and arrange for shipping, catering to both local and out-of-state clientele.

L.V. Harkness & Company in Lexington, KY, offers several distinctive features and highlights that set it apart as a premier destination for luxury gifts and home décor.

• Curated Collection of Renowned Brands: A key highlight is the store's focus on top craftsmanship from world-renowned brands. Customers can find exquisite handmade ceramics, glassworks, dinnerware, and decorative items from prestigious names like Herend, Daum, Lalique, and Baccarat. This dedication to high-end quality ensures that every item is a work of art.

• Exceptional Customer Service and Personalized Attention: Despite an isolated concern about opening hours, the overwhelming feedback praises the "exceptional customer service." Staff members are frequently highlighted for being "kind and helpful," going "above and beyond" to assist shoppers. This personalized approach, including the ability to communicate in multiple languages (as one reviewer noted with Spanish-speaking skills), ensures a truly tailored and supportive shopping experience, fostering strong customer loyalty and trust.

• Unique Personalization Options (Design Bar): The dedicated "Design Bar" is a significant feature, allowing customers to add a unique, personal touch to their gifts and home items. Services like custom engraving, embossing, etching, and bespoke stationery design create truly one-of-a-kind treasures, perfect for memorable occasions or corporate branding.

• Comprehensive Gift Registry Service: For life's big moments, L.V. Harkness offers a sophisticated gift registry service. This allows couples and individuals to curate their desired pieces from the store's luxury collection, simplifying the gifting process for their guests and ensuring they receive items they truly cherish for their new home or life milestone.

• Equestrian Themed Items: Given Kentucky's rich horse culture, the store thoughtfully incorporates equestrian-themed pieces into its collection, appealing directly to the local heritage and passion for horses. This makes it a unique destination for gifts relevant to the Kentucky lifestyle.

• Timeless and Beautiful Offerings: The store is consistently described as the "best place for a beautiful timeless gift." This focus on classic elegance and enduring quality ensures that purchases from L.V. Harkness are investments that will be cherished for generations, reflecting a commitment to lasting beauty over fleeting trends.

• Support for Local and Artisanal Craftsmanship: While featuring international brands, the spirit of L.V. Harkness also supports artistry, as evidenced by their ability to facilitate custom art pieces like home portraits from local artists, contributing to the vibrant local arts scene.

L.V. Harkness & Company, as a purveyor of luxury gifts and home décor, generally focuses on value through quality and exclusive services rather than frequent, deep discounts. However, they do offer specific promotions and ways for their Lexington customers to save or enhance their shopping experience.

• LVH VIP Program / Email List Sign-Up: Customers are often invited to "Become an LVH VIP" by signing up for their email list. This typically includes an immediate incentive, such as "10% off your first online order." Email subscribers often receive exclusive updates on new arrivals, special events, and occasional promotions.

• Gift Registry Incentives: While not always explicitly advertised as a discount, gift registries with L.V. Harkness often come with indirect benefits. These can include a completion discount for the registrants after their event, allowing them to purchase remaining items on their list at a reduced price. Some registries may also offer bonus gifts for reaching certain spending thresholds.

• Complimentary Gift Wrapping: This is a standard, but highly valued, "offer." Providing complimentary, elegant gift wrapping for all purchases saves customers time and money, adding a luxurious finish to their gifts without an extra charge.

• Seasonal & Event-Based Promotions: L.V. Harkness may hold special events or promotions tied to holidays (e.g., Christmas, Valentine's Day), special occasions, or local events in Lexington. These could include trunk shows, designer spotlights, or limited-time offers on specific collections. For example, they have been noted for providing special trophies for events like the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.

• Special Offers for Corporate Clients: For businesses utilizing their corporate gifting and trophy services, L.V. Harkness may offer tiered pricing or volume discounts depending on the size and scope of the order.

• Online Exclusive Offers: From time to time, specific promotions may be available exclusively through their website, such as free shipping on orders over a certain amount, or online-only sales.

For the most current and specific promotions, local residents are encouraged to visit the L.V. Harkness & Company website, subscribe to their VIP email list, or inquire directly with their knowledgeable staff during a visit to the downtown Lexington store.

For inquiries about their exquisite collections, personalized services, or to arrange a visit, L.V. Harkness & Company in Lexington, KY, can be reached through the following contact details:

Address: 531 W Short St, Lexington, KY 40507, USA

Phone: (859) 225-7474

Mobile Phone: +1 859-225-7474 (This number is typically the same as the main store line for general inquiries and is available for calling and texting.)

Store Hours:

• Monday: Closed (By Appointment Only)

• Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST

• Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST

• Sunday: Closed

It is always recommended to verify the current operating hours on their official website or by calling the store directly, especially if you plan to visit on a holiday or for a special appointment, as hours can occasionally be subject to change.

For the discerning residents of Lexington, Kentucky, L.V. Harkness & Company at 531 W Short St is exceptionally suitable and truly indispensable when it comes to finding unique, luxurious, and meaningful gifts or enhancing their own homes. Its downtown location ensures easy accessibility, making it a convenient destination for those seeking high-quality items in the heart of the city. What truly sets this establishment apart and makes it ideal for locals is its commitment to timeless elegance and personalized service.

L.V. Harkness offers an unparalleled selection of fine china, dinnerware, home decor, and bespoke items from world-renowned brands, providing a level of sophistication and craftsmanship that is difficult to find elsewhere in the region. The ability to create custom, engraved, or monogrammed pieces through their "Design Bar" ensures that every gift can be made uniquely personal, perfectly suited for Kentucky's tradition of thoughtful giving. Furthermore, their comprehensive gift registry service simplifies wedding and other special occasion planning for engaged couples and new families in Lexington. While a recent experience highlighted a temporary operational snag, the overwhelming and consistent praise for their "exceptional" and "caring" customer service, including going "above and beyond" for special requests, underscores the deep trust and loyalty L.V. Harkness has cultivated within the community. For those who value quality, personalized attention, and a truly beautiful shopping experience, L.V. Harkness & Company stands as a cherished and vital local gem in Lexington, making it the perfect destination for every memorable moment.