Fiddle Stix Boutique

Mary Helen Dara, Taylor Automotive Family. Our community is so fortunate that Janelle Calverly opened up Fiddlesticks, one location in Perrysburg, and as you can tell with all this construction going on, we are at the location in Sylvania. We cannot wait to speak with manager Pam Geiger today. Let's go in, which is very easily accessible to do and speak with Pam. Pam, thank you so much for being here today and just quickly have to say easy peasy to get here. I hope that people don't get deterred from a little thing called construction out front because we came in and here we are and I can't wait to speak with you. Fiddlesticks has become a go-to for personalized gifts and unique finds. What do you think makes your boutique stand out in such a vibrant retail community? So I think there are a couple of things. First of all, the owners do a fantastic job and the buyers of bringing us a broad range of products, reaching all demographics. We have something for women of all ages, men, children, and just the uniqueness of those products and being able to personalize them, I think really makes us stand out. And then also the customer's experience when they walk in the door, being greeted and made to feel welcome, hearing the music just kind of creates a fun atmosphere and we hope they come in and want to stay and come back and shop again. Oh, wonderful. You carry popular lines How do you curate your collections to keep them fresh and meaningful for your customers? Yeah, the buyers always on the top of their game. They'researching constantly, not only products in the U. S. but around the world to see what the latest trends are. They use social media. We also take a lot of suggestions from customers and then our team members who maybe are out on vacation in a boutique and they see something somewhere and they want to bring it in. And so everything is brought to the buyers and then the final opinion of the owner makes the decision on what we bring in. So kind of a group effort on that respect. Love group efforts. With locations in both Perrysburg and Savinia, how do the two stores differ in vibe and offerings and what do you love most about each community? So the stores are very similar in what they carry, the product lines. There's just a few exceptions of things we have and they don't and vice versa. And the vibes are very similar. However, when the Savinia store was built out, it was built more with a small town vibe and feel with the exposed brick and the bigger windows in the front to get a more downtown walkability and keep some of the history of that downtown. Whereas the Perrysburg, being in a shopping retail complex, that's a little bit different. That has more of a warm cozy vibe and Savinia is just a little bit more industrial or historic. Okay. As we discussed, downtown Savinia is currently facing a major construction project. What would you We, the very first thing that's most important to us is to let them know we're open seven days a week. We are here Monday through Saturday, 10 to 7, Sunday, 11 to 5. And we do have two entrances now. So we have a back entrance or a side entrance. So if you're parked in the back or on Maplewood, you can come right in that side door, makes it really easy and saves you steps. And the front door will be open as long as it can be. We've not had the front door shut down either. So you have two entrances, the hours are the same. We'd love to just have them come in and shop. And as far as both our locations go, we love both communities. And I think the fun part of having two locations is you get a lot of crossover shoppers because they want to see what the other locations And if there is anything different and what's changed at one versus the other. So we love both communities for their respective uniqueness. Oh, great. Well, Fiddlesticks, looking around here, is all about celebrating life's little moments. What's one of your favorite customer stories or special gift moments that remind you why you do what you do? There's a lot. But one that comes to mind in particular is a husband who came in. I need leather. Do you have anything leather? Of course we do. We have a leather necklace. So we show him the leather necklace and he's I'll take it. Looks one time. It's done. Sold. We're checking him out at the cash register and he says, It's my third anniversary. And I really wanted to surprise my wife with something special. And she loves pearls. And ironically, it had a dangling pearl off the necklace chain or the leather necklace chain. So, It's exactly what he's looking for. And it's going to make his wife happy and he was happy and we can wrap it for him. So it looks phenomenal when she gets it. He was so grateful. And so it's things And just meaningful things Love my job. I can tell. Me too. Makes me emotional just recalling them. Well, buckle up. Okay. What was your very first job in retail or your first ever job? Oh, geez. Well, I do have to mention Janelle started in retail and she was 14 at a store in Ohio called Garden Smiles. And I remember Garden Smiles. Yeah. So she started there and then has been, So shout out to her for that. And then I started in high school at a s And then in college, majored in business and worked in retail doing a marketing internship there and was offered a management position. So it's kind of always been in the background of my career experience, I guess. And now you're here in the forefront. So what's your favorite gift to give from the store? Oh gosh, it's got to be the chirpy top. Go to it's a wine pour that chirps when you pour your wine bottle. We got to check this out. Yeah, it's great at a party. Everyone loves them. Yeah. And then jewelry, anything jewelry, especially E Newton. If you had to describe your personal style in three words, what would they be? Classic, fun and trendy. Okay. What's one thing people might be surprised to learn about you? Oh, I love biology. Really? Yeah, I was a science minor, love all things, science. Yeah. Oh, that is surprising. Yeah. You're go to wait to unwind after a long day at Fiddlesticks. Oh gosh, not having to cook dinner, so maybe going out to eat and then also reading a great book. Wonderful. And you can do both right here in downtown Savannah. Yeah, for sure. Well, thank you so much, Pam, for being here. We truly appreciate it. And I hope this solidifies to people that you are open and for business and for people to find that unique special something for their loved ones. We'd love to have them in and we appreciate your coming in. And again, thanks to Janelle too for giving me this opportunity to manage one of her locations and just love my job. Wonderful. Thank you. Thanks. Thank you, Pam, for showing us around this unique, unique, or the back door to find your next personal and unique gift item. Let's hit the road and see who's next in the driver'seat.