Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
Jordan Hardy, daughter of owner Linda Hardy, stands by the storefront where the newest branch of Magnolias Gift Shop will open this August in Chelsea. This will be the third location for Hardy’s business.
Magnolias Gift Shop is celebrating its 25th year in business, and part of that celebration will be opening a third location in Chelsea this month.
Known as a one-stop shop for gifts, the newest Magnolias Gift Shop will be on Chesser Crane Road, just off Shelby 47.
Owner Linda Hardy opened the business in Sylacauga in 1992 while still working her full-time job at Kimberly Clarke. She continued to work there 10 more years, then spent time traveling with her daughter, Jordan, who played golf for Birmingham-Southern College then professionally.
During that time, Hardy did all the buying and paperwork while her store manager took care of things at the store.
“I always had a vision of having at least three stores,” Hardy said. “When Jordan would come home during her off season, she would work at the store, and when she stopped playing golf professionally, she got the retail bug.”
Hardy opened the second Magnolias in Pell City in 2014 and said she is excited to open her third location in Chelsea. The location was a natural fit because it is a quick drive for her from Sylacauga or for her daughter who lives in Meadow Brook, Hardy said.
“Chelsea is booming, and we felt like it was a place we could take the business model we’ve developed, and it will work well there,” Hardy said.
Located in the former Zig Zag location, the 2,600-square-foot space will be smaller than the Sylacauga location and larger than Pell City.
Magnolias carries a wide selection of gifts and home products. It also offers a bridal registry and baby registry and is well known for its complimentary gift wrapping and elaborate presentation that includes handmade bows, Hardy said.
“Presentation means a lot when you give a gift,” Hardy said. “There’s a joy of seeing it when you get it in your hand. We think it makes our store a step above other gift stores.”
Hardy said at Magnolias, she and her staff pride themselves on taking care of their customers. They can even take phone orders if customers don’t have the time to come in and shop.
“People can call and say they need a gift for friend around age 30 and that they want to spend $25,” Hardy said. “We will give several options and send them pictures via phone. We just try to make it as easy and convenient as possible.”
Hardy said she believes small stores can stay in business by offering great customer service and giving customers the warmth you can’t get over the internet and in big-box stores. If Magnolias doesn’t have a product that people want, it will adjust the business to that.
“We try to accommodate every person’s situation the best we can,” Hardy said.
At the Chelsea location, Hardy, daughter Jordan and her other manager, Anna Bentley, will cover the shifts. Hardy said she plans to hire at least three people, possibly more.
“Our stores are a friendly, happy place where we really get to know and love our customers,” Hardy said. “I think we have that magical small-town-touch feel. We hope to be a great addition to what’s already in Chelsea and grow with the community.”
