Anissa Andazola and her mother, Molly, moved to the Gila Valley and opened a gift shop in February 2006. A year after opening, they saw a need for formal wear and expanded their shop into a bridal and apparel boutique.
Gowns Gifts-N-More now offers high-quality wedding gowns and bridal accessories, such as shoes, veils, hoop skirts, petticoats, gloves and jewelry. Also sold at the store is formal wear for women (including plus sizes), children and infants.
If customers are looking for something that isn’t in stock, Andazola said she has a great selection of catalogs from which to order. She said many times bridal or quinceanera parties make a large order from a catalog, but she also makes small orders for events such as proms.
Anissa Andazola is the owner of Gowns Gifts-N-More, a bridal and apparel boutique in Safford. Photo by Keri Lunt
Unique gifts, such as a diaper cake for a baby shower, are made and sold at the store. A diaper cake is an arrangement of diapers formed in the shape of a tall cake that can be given as an attractive, useful gift.
The store has a selection of silk floral arrangements, gift baskets, candy bouquets, balloons and Christian books and gifts. Flower arrangements and candy bouquets can be special ordered by the customer.
A long trip to Phoenix or Tucson is what Andazola said she wants to prevent, so her prices are affordable, and often customers are surprised at how inexpensive the items are, she said.
Watching a bride’s face light up when she finds the right dress is what she loves most about her job, Andazola said.
Gowns Gifts-N-More is located at 520 S. Fifth Ave. in Safford and can be reached at 428-1874. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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