...Romance Author...

December sales bring good tidings for the coming year

Despite the economic troubles that persisted throughout 2009, business owners Robert and Denise Binder seem to be holding their own. For Stroebels of Saginaw, a specialty gift shop located at 4882 Gratiot Road, December was their best month of the year, and hope for further recovery remains high for 2010.

Laura Stroebel opened the store over 30 years ago, sold to Marcy Watz, who then sold Stroebels to Robert and Denise Binder in March of 2009. At one time the store was located on Court Street in Saginaw, next to the Court Theater, before it was moved to the Gratiot Road location. Robert and Denise also own three different Hallmark stores located in Green Acres Plaza in Saginaw, Tittabawassee Road in Saginaw, and on Main Street in Frankenmuth.

Stroebels of Saginaw has been managed by Tricia Kaiser since the Binders purchased it in 2009. She believes the store’s success is due to the appeal of women’s accessories, their selection of unique gifts and jewelry, and extraordinary customer service. Shipping is another reason why their business is thriving, especially for baby items.

The store offers a wide selection of pewter, crystal, china, and jewelry like the very popular Trollbeads and Pandora, today’s updated version of charm bracelets, as well as Add-a-Pearl, which is performed in-store. They also have a bridal registry, provide engraving, carry a line of Polish Pottery and Nativity sets by Fontanini, offer complimentary gift wrapping, and take credit card purchases over the phone.

Stroebels of Saginaw makes a point of stocking many items that are made in the U.S., such as an extremely popular line of women’s handbags, designed by Stephanie Dawn. When the Vera Bradley brand sent its manufacturing overseas to China, over 300 workers at the Ohio-based plant, KAM, lost their jobs. KAM then started manufacturing the line of Stephanie Dawn handbags. Stephanie Dawn is the granddaughter of the owner. The quilted handbags come in a variety of vibrant colors and bold patterns, and are of similar quality as Vera Bradley, but at a 15%-20% lower cost. Stroebels, as well as Binders Hallmark on Tittabawassee Road in Saginaw, and on Main Street in Frankenmuth, is the exclusive carrier of these handbags.

Stroebels of Saginaw also carries scented candles made by Lakeshore Candle Company, based in Zealand, MI, and come in a variety of sizes, colors, and fragrances, and Peggy Karr decorative glass plates, also made in the U.S.

Stroebels of Saginaw is located at 4882 Gratiot Road, Suite 14. Store hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday. Check out their blog at stroebels.com, or contact the store by calling 792-4131 or 792-0888. Email Denise Binder at dab3949@aol.com.

 

 

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