Trends Gift Gallery celebrates 25 years
Exeter — Twenty-five years ago, Keith Lemerise started Trends Gift Gallery by selling sunglasses and suntan lotion from a sidewalk stand on Hampton Beach.
He got a break on the rent for also renting out chairs and umbrellas for the owner of the location.
The location and the assortment of merchandise has changed significantly since 1984, but one thing remains the same — the gift shop offers the latest trends in gifts for customers. The current trends, seen at their Water Street shop, include Stonewall Kitchen items, and a wide array of unique gift cards and invitations for all occasions. But back then, the sunglasses that Keith sold were the latest trend.
Keith stepped back from running the store in 1991 to focus on his advertising business, and since then his wife, Kathy, has run the business. The couple was married that year, and Kathy jokes that with her marriage came the store, although, in actuality, she had been involved with the business since it began as the couple met the same year Keith opened the stand on Hampton Beach.
Keith had just received a kidney transplant from his brother, Greg, and was in Boston for a follow up doctor’s appointment. Some friends of his were having a party near Fenway Park and invited him over since he was in the city.
When he arrived, his brother was talking to Kathy. The connection was instantaneous.
“We’ve been together ever since,” Kathy said.
