The Divine Gift Boutique now has almost double the spaceof the previous 450 square footgift shop. To celebrate, the Divine
Gift Boutique will have a grand
re-opening ribbon-cutting ceremony next Sunday, December 8 following the 9:00 a.m. Mass. Fr. John will do the honors. Everyone is invited.
“Although we made some minor renovations to the old gift boutique only one year ago, space was the major constraint in the boutique recognizing its full potential. The new Divine Gift Boutique now
has an array of merchandise allowing for a truly unique shopping experience. There is literally something for everyone,” said Scott Schlossberg, General Manager.
Gift shop manager Jackie Gibson is excited about the enlarged space. “With the larger space, we can accommodate a lot more people…. and display our items much better,” she said.
The gift shop expanded into the adjoining altar server room, which was relocated across the hall. Parishioner Marty Gauthier subdivided the sacristy space to make room for the altar servers. The closets
were removed from the original altar server room making space for more merchandise. “This makes it easier to have duplicate merchandise,” Jackie said.
The larger space allows Jackie to carry a wider assortment of merchandise in a larger quantity.
“We have a large selection of crucifixes, statues, a new tower of medals and crosses, and we have a baby section. Also we carry jewelry, holy cards, St. Christopher and angel sun visors medals. In addition, we have a new large selection of night lights,” Jackie said.
The Divine Gift Boutique now has a new Book Nook with the lastest book selections, including Bibles, children books and a selection of everyday cards for birthdays and all occasions from Printery House, a division of Abbey Press.
Seasonal merchandise is more prominently displayed in the larger space. Jackie and her staff of volunteers have stocked a wide selection of Christmas merchandise for the holidays from nativities, mugs, angels, ornaments, stocking stuffers, hostess gifts and much more. Currently, Advent wreaths, Advent candles and Advent calendars are in stock as well.
The Gift Boutique appeals to all age groups. “I have two little regulars every Sunday morning, They have bought almost every little glass animal in the shop,” Jackie said.
To make things run more smoothly, the gift shop accepts credit cards, as well as cash and checks and now has a cash register, making checking out and inventory more efficient.
“The gift boutique provides the community with the opportunity to make purchases right on the spot. We offer merchandise that our parishioners might not readily find at any other place. All the money goes right back into the general fund,” Jackie said.
The boutique is staffed by volunteers. “They are completely dedicated to our boutique and to making the customers happy by helping them find just the right gift,” Jackie said. “The Divine Gift Boutique is dedicated to servicing the St. John Evangelist community in every way we can.”
The expansion of the gift shop was done in house by Marty and the maintenance staff of Marcos Burgoa and Ovidio Moreno.
Everyone is invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony next Sunday, December 8 after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. “We hope you will join us in this re-dedication of the Divine Gift Boutique. We
will serve light refreshments and have a drawing for a snowman that can stretch up to 62 inches,” Jackie said.
Stop by the ribbon cutting next Sunday to fill out a card with your name and phone number. You do not have to be present to win.