From dog toys to Russian Lomonosov porcelain, The Perfect Gift … Shoppe sets out to fulfill its name by offering “a little something for everybody,” according to owner Kimberly Heimerich.
“If you want a little something for you, if you want a little something for a friend — I think you can find something here,” she said.
The shop at 901 Rio Grande NW opened its doors June 1.
Heimerich said she intentionally tried to cast a wide net when deciding which items to stock by making trips to buyers markets and poring over merchandise catalogues. But while the shop may be just north of Old Town, don’t expect it to be filled with turquoise and other Southwest-themed goods.
“If you want that, you can go into Old Town and find that Southwestern item there,” she said.
Heimerich said she wanted to create a shop with items not commonly found in that area.
Her journey to gift shop ownership started several years ago when she was working as a buyer and gift shop manager at the St. James Tearoom and stumbled upon her love of the trade.
“Working there … was such a joy that I thought ‘I want to have my own giftshop,'” she said.
Heimerich began her hunt for the shop’s location last August.
Of course, opening in the middle of a pandemic has involved some hurdles, like having to forgo a traditional grand opening while also making sure to keep a supply of disposable gloves and masks ready for her customers.
“I’m just trying to make people feel as comfortable in my shop as possible, because I don’t want anybody to come in and not enjoy themselves,” Heimerich said.
The Perfect Gift .. Shoppe is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
