Oct 24, 2009

Mother-daughter team create successful gift shopsBy Kathy HagemanAbilene-RC.com

Mother and daughter Marcella Steinhauser and Mary Montgomery have found they make a pretty good team when it comes to making business decisions for their gift shop Steinhauser’s Hallmark, located at 109 N.W. Third in Abilene.

“As far as our buying relationship in store, we are still mother-daughter. Mary’s choices are not my choices, but it’s a good blend,” explained Marcella, noting their differences work positively to keep the store appealing to both the younger customers and retired people as well.

The Steinhauser name is not new to Abilene residents, having been on the Abilene business scene for 27 years. Initially, the business operated as Steinhauser Drugs, but slowly morphed into a gift store. About 10 years ago, the Steinhausers sold the pharmacy portion and began concentrating solely on gifts.

Looking back, Marcella said the pharmacy began carrying gifts for Sunday shoppers since it was open that day, while nearly all other stores in the area were closed.

“We were open on Sundays and open on Mother’s Day, Easter and other special Sundays and we had these last minute gifts,” Marcella recalled. “As the need arose, we – by accident – got into the gift line,” Marcella recalled.

Since Steinhauser’s Drug store was affiliated with Rexall Drugs, the store initially carried Rexall gift items; however, as time went on and customer demand for items the store did not carry increased, the Steinhausers began to look for other suppliers.

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