museums&MORE Winter 2013

Lilia Villasenor

Lilia Villasenor
Rose Garden Store
Portland, Ore.

1. What makes your store unique?
To start, we are located in the most beautiful setting in the city. Our store is a continuation of the International Rose Test Garden that surrounds us. You see and smell roses everywhere, and for those that choose, they can taste roses in the tea samples we offer.

2. What is your retail background?
I have 25 years retail experience, with 18 years of that in museum stores.

3. What is the most popular product you sell?
Rose tea! Although the rose tea is our most popular item, our top department is apparel that includes T-shirts, scarves, socks and hats. Our top vendor, Oregon Rain Soap, provides us with locally made soaps, lotions and candles. Carol Wilson, another local company, provides us with beautiful notecards that fly off the shelves.

4. What is your favorite part about working in this industry?
I love all of the people that I meet from around the world and pride myself in offering excellent customer service. I train my staff to not only be great at sales, but to be ambassadors for our beautiful city.

5. What advice do you have for other retailers?
Life is too short to not love what you are doing.