Georgetown Gifts

Briefly noted

by Sally Mitani

posted 7/22/2012

Laurie Wicks bought Georgetown Gifts fifteen years ago from Marilyn Harber, who started the store in the 1970s in Georgetown Mall. Now Wicks is hoping to find someone who wants to buy it from her. Though it's currently located between Whole Foods and Barnes & Noble on Washtenaw, "there's no rule that says Georgetown Gifts needs to stay in this spot," she points out. Wicks should know. Five years ago, as its namesake location on Packard was going down the tubes, Wicks up and moved the store to its present location. But while the location is flexible, the calendar is not: the gift shop year is upside down from the calendar year. "Normally right now I would be finishing my holiday shopping," said Wicks in late May. "It seems strange not to be buying pumpkins, turkeys, and snowmen." (While we're all celebrating the winter holidays, she's buying what's selling now: "graduation, Dad's day, summer garden and general summer entertaining.")

In addition to gifts and greeting cards, the store comes with a contract with the U.S. Postal Service. "They supply everything except the staff: the computer equipment, the furniture, the signage," says Wicks. "If there's a rate change, or procedure change, we get automatic updates. It brings in revenue, it brings in people."

Wicks says she's an "active empty nester" and wants to retire. If the shop doesn't sell, she will close it on September 1.

Georgetown Gifts, 3215 Washtenaw, 971-1068. Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (post office closes at 4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and noon on Sat.). Closed Sun. georgetowngifts.com   

[Originally published in July, 2012.]