Posted: 6/6/06
Gift store opens downtown
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
Caledoniaís newest business is expanding the choices loical shoppers have. Shelleyís Specialty Gifts, located between the Caledonia Boxing Club and Caledonia Drugs on South Kingston Street, offers a little bit of a lot of items to suit many tastes and styles.
The business is owned by Deb Schellsmidt, whose husband, Matt, runs the boxing club. Matt is known as ìCoach Shelleyî to the boxers, and Deb chose to call the business ìShelleyísî as a tribute. He is also an active participant in the business and is the one responsible for transforming the space into an attractive shop.
One line that Deb has high hopes for is the ìLidl Dollyísî selection of childrenís formal wear. There are tuxedos for little guys and ìSouthern Bellî type dresses for little girls. The dresses feature plenty of ruffles, frills and bows. She carries headbands that match the dresses and slips to add extra fullness. The clothes are reasonably priced, she added.
Shelleyís will also offer a selection of Maumbachel candles and Morgan Towle bath and body products. She has southwestern-themed ceramic kitchen items, a menís section with gifts that feature a wildlife motif. She will be offering the Redhead line of menís outdoor wear.
Shelleyís also carries wine charms and coasters, photo frames and a large selection of items with an international look from ìWorld of Products.î Also featured is the Anastasia collection of porcelain dolls. Debís daughter Crystal Collier will sell crocheted items and no-sew blankets and pillows.
For items purchased in the store there is free gift wrapping, but people can also bring in gifts purchased elsewhere and pay a fee to have their items wrapped, said Deb.
Deb will also have ready-to-go gift baskets and will soon offer unique ìGift balloons.î
The balloons are 18 to 19 inches across and can be filled with gift items for a special presentation.
Deb said she is limiting her inventory because she does not have a lot of storage space, but she is happy to order items in for customers from the World of Products line. There are no minimums, which makes it easier to accommodate her customersí requests.
A portion of the profits from Shelleyís will go to the Caledonia Boxing Club. Deb said she is also willing to partner with youth groups for fund-raising.
A grand opening is planned for Saturday, June 10. A ribbon cutting will take place at 9 a.m. and members of the Masonic Lodge will be present to help cut the ribbon. The lodge owns the building and built a new entrance to the store, which for many years was part of The Phyllis Shoppe. Deb will be offering a 25 percent discount on grand opening day only.
Store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. The store is closed Sundays.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com