Eclectic Gifts offers unique, specialty items
Browsing through Eclectic Gifts is a journey of the senses.
Exotic candle scents fill the air, and the swish of water flowing through fountains made of Grecian pottery conjures up images of Tuscany.
“It’s an experience going there. It’s something I do for entertainment as well as when I’m on a mission (to purchase gifts),” said Jill Lees, a regular customer at the Liberty Lake store.
Since it opened four years ago, Eclectic Gifts has become a favorite stop for Lees. She particularly likes the “seasonal room,” which alternates between garden-theme décor and Christmas decorations.
“I buy almost every one of my girlfriends’ Christmas gifts and birthday and housewarming gifts there,” she said, adding, “They just go out of their way for the customer.”
Although it’s a half mile off Liberty Lake’s retail path, Eclectic Gifts has gained a loyal following.
Judy Jorgensen opened the specialty gift-basket business nearly five years ago. Since then, the store has expanded into a gift and home décor gallery with annual sales of about $400,000.
“We’ve been out here in nowhereland for four years and things are finally building up,” Jorgensen joked.
The shop’s unique inventory is a collection of purchases from trade shows, wineries and travels with her husband and business partner, Brian Jorgensen.
Brian Jorgensen owns Medicine Man Pharmacy, next door to Eclectic Gifts in the minimall they own.
Jorgensen does all the purchasing and searches for unusual dishes, glassware and niche merchandise that ends up gift-wrapped and given to hard-to-buy-for people. Some items, like jewelry and wooden garden art are made by local artists.
Corporations, banks and other businesses order baskets filled with coffees, wines, gadgets and treats to thank customers and employees. During peak months, companies have ordered as many as 400 baskets at once, Jorgensen said.
“We do a lot of corporate gift baskets. They keep us open year-round,” she said.
Employees design theme-baskets for babies and even college students, who receive a revolving variety of treats. Parents or grandparents provide a list of likes and dislikes and their favorite students receive monthly surprises.
“I guess they like that personalized service and our employees are good at that,” Jorgensen said.
Mike Baisch, public relations coordinator for Spokane Teachers Credit Union, orders baskets that STCU donates to local fund-raisers.
The baskets include plenty of STCU logo items and have themes ranging from golf to the city of Spokane.
“It’s just a friendly store. I try to make it a point to go down there at least every other week,” Baisch said.
Besides shopping for the company, he also enjoys the store’s extensive selection of Northwest wines.
Jorgensen, who schedules regular wine tasting events at the store, said men are becoming a larger part of the clientele.
“The men come in for the wine and to buy gifts for their wives. I have men come in and say, ‘I’ve got to tell my wife about this place.’ “