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Initial Presents gets personal
The new store, located at 5655 Main St., in Williamsville, carries a variety of items that can be specially monogrammed, from tote bags and towels to stuffed animals and blankets. This is the first storefront of the company, founded by Patty Vukelic and Debbie Koessler of Snyder, who began Initial Presents as stay-at-home mothers three years ago. They began by circulating fliers and featuring their wares in open house product demonstrations, which quickly expanded to include a Web site business before the opening of the Main Street store. "Every time we had a house party, there were requests for more parties," said Koessler. "What a great way to start. We could get used to the monogram machine and make sure people really wanted the products." The new store owners said they didn't even know how to thread a monogram machine when they first conceived the idea. They learned by taking classes at Aurora Sewing Center and started with a small machine monogramming felt. "It was really different because we didn't have a sewing background," said Koessler. "We had a girlfriend in Florida who did it, and we kept buying monogram things from her." Upon entering the store, visitors will first spot the spa table, where they can choose to purchase monogrammed towels, soap or scented candles, complete with a lavender-scented heat wrap, which can be warmed in the microwave and used for treating muscle aches. The baby corner has clothing, bibs, and plush blankets lined with satin, ready to be monogrammed with a name. One stuffed bunny rabbit features long droopy ears with the baby's name up one ear and the birth date down the other. Initial Presents also does large orders. Vukelic said that a local school recently ordered tote bags for all the teachers with the school initials monogrammed on the front. Insulated monogram lunch bags have also been a hit. A large beach bag, valued at $22, can be monogrammed for an extra $6, with a smaller bag to choose from for $17. "They're all in bright, fun colors, and we'll come out with fall colors, too" said Vukelic. Prices range from $10 to more than $100, but the average price of most products falls in the $30 to $40 range. "I think the monogram is so exciting, because you can personalize it to the person, right down to the color of thread and the font," said Koessler. The highlight of the men's corner is the leather money clips, embossed with initials, and a monogram blanket that rolls up as a small, compact duffel bag. "It's great for Bills games or Shakespeare in the Park," said Vukelic. There are also a variety of zany boxer shorts, and men's T-shirts from Hatley Co. One apron has images of fish, with the slogan: "The trout, the whole trout and nothing but the trout, so help me cod." Certain domestic items are sold with monograms, such as ice buckets, wooden cutting boards and Italian pottery. The owners are considering launching a catalog in the near future and said they are satisfied to have a store in town. "Williamsville has been so welcoming," said Koessler. "All the businesses are really open to helping each other, and that's been an unexpected bonus." Initial Presents is a family-run business, which opened in April 2007. Koessler is Vukelic's sister in-law and said that other family members help out by putting hours in at the store. "We can share the workload and still be there for our kids," said Vukelic. The store offers a small variety of other products and trinkets in addition to the monogram specialty items. These include necklaces, bracelets and picture frames. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with hours extended until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. For information, call 565-9595. |
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