AUBURN – A specialty gift store has closed downtown, but customers can still shop online for its unique inventory.

Rysen, a home and garden shop that celebrated owner Beckie Swanson Conrad’s Swedish heritage, closed New Year’s Eve. Conrad notified customers via her electronic newsletter Tuesday.

The shop, which opened at 86 Main St. in 2003, offered unusual linens, tableware, antiques, garden accessories, decorations and other items from around the world. Conrad said the items featured on the shop’s Web site will be handmade in America, or from countries that embrace fair-trade policies. A full inventory should be available soon at www.rysen.net

Conrad, a longtime advocate for downtown revitalization in Lewiston and Auburn, begins a new job today as development director for the Maine College of Art. Her husband, Austen “Audie” Conrad, had operated Austen’s Fine Wines next to Rysen on Main Street until it closed in March 2005.

– Carol Coultas