Hi, my name is Susie, and I'm nearing the end of my second summer that I've been working at Three Orange Doors. Let me just say, this is the best first job I could have ever been blessed with. Gail's shop is above and beyond compare to any gift shop in the area, and the reason why becomes very clear within a single second inside her store. There is just a montage of items arranged in the most eye-pleasing, comforting, and inviting style throughout the small space, but it is never overwhelming and always exciting. So many customers have come up to me and said, "This is the most beautiful shop," or "I could stay in here for hours, there's so much to see." Also, she openly invites people to peer into her cupboards and touch the items, to take a free candy (there are stashes displayed throughout the store), and to ask as many questions as can be asked. On the first day of training last summer, Gail told me always to say hi to a customer when they first walk in the door and thank you when they walk back out. I follow that to a tee because it's such a wonderful thing to follow through on! It lets the customer know they're extremely appreciated (they really are).

     Some of my job duties include taking and posting pictures online for the 'Shop Online' section, writing descriptions for those items, dusting/vacuuming, ringing up sales, answering phone calls, opening and closing the store, creating or modifying displays, and just generally keeping up with Gail. She is always, always up to something new and creative. I work here only on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, but by the time I come back to work on Saturday, there are new items and new displays. Sometimes things are changed around so much I won't be able to find something! But that isn't aggravating, it's fun. It's the reason why Three Orange Doors has so many return customers and a great reputation. Old and new customers alike are always finding something fresh and different. She does have her staple items that are always popular and never go out of stock, though. These include some of my favorite items, as in her Swan Creek votive candles (I think they're the reason the store always smells so good!), Palm Press cards, and that funky red shelf stocked with all sorts of antique and vintage glass items. Otherwise, many of her items are unique and once they're sold, they're sold. Because she attends so many auctions, shows, and estate sales, shopping at her store is like shopping the cream of the crop. Truly, items never go into the store unless they're quality.

    Another favorite part of working here is my interaction with all the great people that walk into this store. I love seeing their reactions and hearing their laughter as they shop with a friend and giggle at the latest greeting card or their gasps of excitement when they find a matching piece of their mother's china set. I enjoy asking them if this is their first time in the store, and more often than not, it is. The quip, "I've passed by this store on the way to work/home so many times, but I've never stopped in until today," is a popular response. Through word-of-mouth, WSJ ads, and the www, her clientele is expanding on a daily basis. That is the best news possible! Because of all those amazing customers, Three Orange Doors is surviving the economy and continuing to maintain the lighthearted atmosphere it is so well known for. 
   
    Just as an update, the store now has a water station. So for all you thirsty bikers, busy parents, and wonderful customers, be sure to fill up your H20 bottles for free at the back of the store next to the cashier area.  Also, Halloween stuff is already out for all you efficient shoppers, and there is also a permanent half-price display shelf located in the center of the store. For all the jewelry hounds, there is a ton of new jewelry on the back table, particularly seed bead pieces. My favorite new addition is the sink that Gail recently retiled and that is now filled to the brim with some amazing smelling mosaic soaps just in from North Carolina. The woman responsible for those soaps, also makes chapsticks and lotions that are now available in the store as well. Come check it all out!

    I'm so glad I was able to be a part of the Three Orange Doors vibe for two summers straight, and I hope to be back next summer! I'm transferring to UW-Stout this fall as a graphic design student, which I'm very excited about. Unfortunately, the commute would be way too long to take on the weekends, so it's farewell to Three Orange Doors for now. Thank you for everything Gail, you're the best.  

We went to market in July and found lots of great jewelry and things that are slowly coming in. Come and check out the cute beaded jewelry from Pink House.  Also just got lots of fun decor from Creative Co-op, bird and bug paperweights, fun wall decor, tin calendars.....