Our Story

Welcome to Pennyweight – A Beloved St. Helena Institution, Reimagined

Pennyweight, the cherished gift and accessory store at the heart of Main Street, St. Helena, began an exciting new chapter in April 2025. Housed in a beautifully preserved 1892 Victorian building—one of the town’s most photographed landmarks—Pennyweight has long been a destination for those seeking thoughtfully curated treasures and timeless charm.

The store’s founders, Wayne Armstrong and Marcus Robbins, along with longtime store manager Nichole Dreyfus, passed the baton to new owners Helen and John Thompson, who are honored to build upon Pennyweight’s 21-year legacy. Since moving to St. Helena in 2017, Helen and John have fallen in love with the Napa Valley and its vibrant community, and are committed to honoring the store’s heritage while gently infusing it with their global perspective.

“We felt Helen and John’s warmth and their deep respect for what Pennyweight represents,” says Marcus Robbins. “Their vision and appreciation for craftsmanship made them the perfect stewards for this next chapter.”

Helen and John bring a worldly sensibility shaped by their time living and working in South Africa, England, India, and Australia. Their passion lies in discovering beautifully crafted items that carry a sense of place and history. “We’ve honed a fine eye for quality and exceptional craftsmanship—those pieces that have a story worth telling,” they explain. Their goal is to share the best of the world with the community they’ve come to call home.

Originally from South Africa and England respectively, Helen and John share a love for connection, storytelling, and beautiful design. With Helen’s creative flair and John’s operational expertise, the couple sees this as a chance not just to run a store—but to create a meaningful space where people feel welcome and inspired.

Helen envisions regular in-store events and gatherings that celebrate artisans and their stories. “I want Pennyweight to be a place where people come to engage—not just to shop, but to experience the story of the creator behind each piece,” she says.

As they step into this new venture, Helen and John are rebranding the store as Hartford House, a nod to tradition and transformation. While the name is evolving, the spirit of Pennyweight remains: a place of warmth, curiosity, and delight.

Visitors can look forward to a rotating collection of distinctive gifts and collectibles —leather goods, artisanal glass, fine writing instruments, jewelry, sculpture, accessories and homewares — all selected for their craftsmanship and beauty. Helen and John aim to make every visit to Hartford House an experience of discovery, wonder, and genuine connection.