At Jacaranda Gift Shop, customers leave with more than their purchase – they leave as a friend. Owner Sarah Carrick has thoughtfully built her business around these relationships, as well as those with local makers and artisans. Listening to customers and learning their stories is perhaps the greatest advice she can give other retailers. She explained that Jacaranda Gift Shop’s belief is: “Arrive as a customer and leave as a friend.”

This brick-and-mortar retailer is located in Old Town Coppell, Texas. Its physical space is housed in an historic house which has been converted to a commercial property. “It was originally a hair salon and has been through a few ‘lives,’ and is now our gift shop,” she explained.

Carrick’s most requested items right now are bath and body products, as well as candles. But, she noted that popular items vary per season. “We’re coming up to baby season,” she said. Overall best-sellers at Jacaranda Gift Shop include locally made items that Carrick sources from small businesses.

The Caus tumblers they sell provide an opportunity for shoppers to give back to a variety of charitable causes. “We also donate and support locally,” she said. Additionally, shoppers will soon enjoy some delicious offerings. “We have just switched suppliers and will be offering food items that are Texas made and private labeled. Since we are ‘makers’ we are able to private label or customize many of our products,” she detailed.

The biggest obstacle the business has faced is locating commercial vendors that offer low minimum orders and a low annual minimum. “Many have recently increased their minimums, which means we won’t be able to carry their items anymore,” she emphasized. “Our greatest success is that we are still open during these times, and people love us and share our name on social media regularly.”

“Take the time to get to know your customers. Everyone has a story. And not everyone comes in to buy a ‘happy’ gift.” Sometimes, and a lot of times this past year, people come in because they’ve lost someone, or their friend has lost someone, and they just want to give them a ‘thinking of you’ gift,” she said. “Give your customer the gift of your time and genuine interest in what they have to say. It’s amazing what you learn about and from people!”

For more information on Jacaranda Gift Shop, visit its Facebook page. 

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