By Celeste McLaughlin
As the holidays approach, we all start looking for the perfect gift – something unique and personal that shows how much we care. But, for those people who seem to have it all, how can we give something that is truly special without having to take out a mortgage?
That’s where The Gift Box Boutique comes in. Located in the Shoppes at The Pointe shopping plaza next to Stonewood Grill in Tampa Palms, the one-of-a-kind, fun shop has been open since June. Owner Jennifer Colón stocks an impressive array of gifts, home décor items, women’s clothing and jewelry and Jennifer promises that you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in her store, whether you’re shopping for a gift for someone else or just a treat for yourself.
Jennifer and her husband Rick moved to Tampa from Dallas seven years ago, and now live in Tampa Palms with their seven year old son, Jackson. Jennifer had been a stay-at-home mom since her son was born, and previously held corporate jobs, including her last position as a national account manager for Dr. Pepper and 7-Up.
Prior to opening The Gift Box Boutique this summer, Jennifer had a small gift business in another storefront in Carrollwood. She says she really wanted to bring the concept to New Tampa.
“There was such a void ifor this type of business in our area,” says Jennifer. “We have great stores, but not much outside of the usual ‘big box’ concept.”
In part because The Gift Box is smaller than big box home stores, Jennifer says it’s easier to find fun gifts you won’t find anywhere else at her store. This is both because of the varied, hand-selected, on-trend inventory and the way it is displayed, so that items are easy to find.
“Our goal is to provide unique gifts and great customer service,” says Jennifer. “We want to be known for that.”
For example, she says, regular customers will often call and tell her for whom they’re shopping. By the time they arrive at the store, the staff has pulled together a selection of items to make the customer’s shopping experience even easier.
Another example, she says, is that many USF students come into the shop regularly, and are a great source of on-trend ideas. For example, because of their suggestions, she says, the store has started carrying the popular Lokai beaded bracelets. She says that customers have been giving her extremely positive feedback, and many of them say that they have been waiting for this type of store in our area. “It’s a neighborhood place where they know they can find what they’re looking for, whether it’s clothing, gifts, or something for their home,” Jennifer explains.
Shelly Alt, who lives in Cross Creek, says she has loved everything about the store, from the moment she first walked in. “I’m from a small town, where my family owns a retail jewelry business,” Shelly says. “I feel like The Gift Box is the kind of store you’d expect back home, in a small town, because of the service, the selection of products and how great you feel when you walk out the door.”
Shelly adds that The Gift Box is bright and inviting, and although it’s filled with lots of merchandise, it’s still easy to walk around the store. She says she usually shops for others, but she also likes to buy clothes for herself. She’s a huge fan of the store’s Sweaty Bands headbands and also the selection of maxi skirts.
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“There are so many fun, exciting, and unique things in the store,” Shelly says. “I can find something for everyone, including me.” She says she often finds herself thinking about how different items in The Gift Box remind her of specific people. One of her favorite finds was a wine bottle with an umbrella inside, which made her think of her wine-loving sister-in-law.
“As the mom of four kids, I don’t have time to go (to South Tampa or International Plaza) to go shopping,” says Shelly. “So it’s awesome that there’s such a fun place to shop right in my backyard.”
Shelly also says she loves to bring out-of-town guests to The Gift Box to show them the store and share the experience with them. They often find made-in-Tampa items to take home to family and friends, gifts from local companies such as the Columbia Restaurant, Face Plant, Seventh Avenue Apothecary and Toffee to Go.
And, it’s no wonder that Shelly and other customers want to visit again and again. Jennifer says the store’s merchandise and its displays transition monthly, with new items added to the ever-changing inventory daily, in part because she has a number of local merchant partners who each help contribute to the incredible variety of apparel and gift items at The Gift Box.
To provide this creative, abundant selection, Jennifer is constantly watching trends. She attends gift and apparel shows in New York and Atlanta, as she says those cities best reflect what is current and relevant to bring back to Tampa. She goes to market two or three times a year to order items from manufacturers for next season.
The Gift Box Boutique offers lines you can’t find anywhere else in New Tampa. In gifts and housewares, Jennifer says Nora Fleming, Arthur Court, Chewbeads, Kate Spade and Jonathan Adler are among the many hard-to-find brands she has available. The store’s women’s apparel section caters to women of all ages, including items from Veronica M. and Escapada Living.
Jennifer adds that custom embroidery is popular with Gift Box customers. “As the holidays approach, we are embroidering many stockings, table runners and our popular cosmetics bags,” she explains.
If you’re looking for the perfect gift this holiday season, take advantage of The Gift Box’s “wish list” program. Stop by and create a wish list to help your husband choose something special you wouldn’t think of returning. And, be sure to take advantage of The Gift Box’s popular loyalty program. For every $25 spent in the store, you receive a punch on a card. When the card is full (10 punches), it’s worth $25 in store merchandise.
And, you also can receive 15-percent off your first purchase after you “like” The Gift Box Boutique on Facebook.com.
The Gift Box Boutique is located at 17032 Palm Pointe Dr. The shop is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and noon -4 p.m. on Sunday. Jennifer says that expanded hours will be offered as the holidays approach. Looking for a specific item or brand? Call the store at 284-5986 or email TheGiftBoxTampa@yahoo.com. Or, to see lots of pictures and what others are saying, “Like” The Gift Box on Facebook.com and be sure to see The Gift Box Boutique’s ad on page XX.
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