Occasions Gifts Celebrates One Year In Potomac

This weekend a Potomac store celebrates one year in business at the Cabin John Mall with a party for customers.

Occasions Unique Gifts owner Stephanie Menick began her 10-year career in the gift industry, selling gift baskets from her home. Today she celebrates a decade long career culminating in a successful physical store presence in Potomac.

In 10 years Menick says her favorite part of the business is just making people happy.

“It’s a happy industry, people enjoy shopping, enjoy receiving,” Menick said. “We’re working around pretty items, colorful bows and creating things that touch people.”

With many memorable sales throughout her career, Menick says there’s still one that sticks out:

An older gentlemen came into her store on Valentine’s Day looking for a gift for his wife. “We picked out so many different things for him for his 80-year-old wife, and towards the end he begged us to let him buy the roses on display.” Menick hesitated because she doesn’t sell flowers, and the blooms were just used as a backdrop for her items, but in the end gave in and handed the man the flowers.

“Fifteen minutes before closing his wife called the store, giddy over her gift,” Menick said. “To think of people being together for so many years… We thought about them for a few weeks after.”

For Occasions’ anniversary celebration, Menick will host a sale today and Saturday, featuring refreshments and raffles. Items in her store generally range from $20-$60, with personalized gift wrapping also available.

“It’s definitely been a great first year and everything seems to be going well,” she said.

Check out the event listing here for more information.