Offering up variety
Cultural center gift shop manager adds a little bit of everything to store
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Monday, February 4, 2008 10:59 AM PST
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| Shawn Maggard, manager of the gift stop at the Four Rivers Cultural Center, stands among the many gift items available to people who stop in looking for that special gift or a particular book. |
ONTARIO — The gift shop at the Four Rivers Cultural Center is a place to find information about different cultures and diversity, but it’s also a place to find that special gift or to order those unique items needed in large events or celebrations, such as 100 pairs of chopsticks for a wedding. Overseeing the store to make sure this all happens is Shawn Maggard, who has been at the center for almost three years.
Besides managing the gift shop, Maggard is also the bookkeeper at the center.
“I started in retail with Mr. Quisenberry (who had stores in both Vale and Ontario) in Vale,” Maggard said.
“I did some retail with Central Rent to Own,” she added, but said that was mainly in sales.
Then, with her husband having his own business and having little children at home, Maggard dropped out of the of work force.
“I felt it was important to stay at home,” she said.
In addition to taking care of the family, Maggard also did the books for her husband’s business.
With the children getting older, she decided she could work outside the home again.
“I work here part-time and still do his books,” Maggard said.
One aspect of the shop Maggard enjoys is the variety it offers.
“I like the ordering and arranging the displays,” she said.
The shop had just been moved to the front entrance, switching places with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce when Maggard started. When stocking the shelves, she tries of have items that represent the cultures of people who have lived in the area.
“I have some Native American items, some Hispanic, some Basque and things pertaining to our area, Oregon and Idaho,” she said.
Maggard also takes items in on consignment, including paintings and pottery from local artists.
“We are also getting in local authors who have written historical books. We try to carry local cook books. We do sell a lot of books,” she said.
In fact there are plans to have more books available in the store, she said.
“We get a lot of field trips,” Maggard said.
“They are our biggest shoppers,” she added, so she tries to have a large selection of inexpensive items for the children to buy, for about $1 or so. However, not every teacher allows students to stop at the gift shop.
“I try to keep a good selection of Japanese and Chinese items,” Maggard continued. Sushi sets are popular, she said, and lots of chop sticks.
“It’s small, but I think we pack a lot of interesting things in the shop,” she said. “I do special order for people.”
Maggard will also research things people require.
“We’re an information center,” she said. “We try and help people. We locate a lot of things.”
The gift shop hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
“I’ve learned more from it than any other job,” Maggard said of her position at FRCC. “I’ve learned a lot.”
