Indy Gifts offers products for life’s milestones

Photo caption: Indy Gifts owner Jill Gray cuts the ribbon with her family members. Photo by Martin McConnell.

by Martin McConnell

A new gift shop called Indy Gifts has started garnering interest from locals. Products from the shop are already available online with the brick and mortar location set to open its doors in June.

The shop is located at 7085 Brecksville Rd., near the intersection of Brecksville and Hillside roads. The owner, Jill Gray, is fulfilling a lifelong dream of opening her very own gift shop.

“Over the past 15 years, I have worked as a high school counselor,” Gray said. “Over the past few months, God has continued to open doors leading me to make my dream of owning a gift shop a reality.”

Gray’s family has lived in Independence for three generations. She said her dream of opening a unique small business would not have felt quite right anywhere other than her hometown.

“I feel [Independence] is the perfect location to open a gift shop due to its centralized location, close-knit community, and the need for a nearby place to buy gifts for every occasion, especially those last-minute, unexpected ones,” Gray said. “Opening a gift shop in Independence also aligns with the city’s plan to promote entrepreneurship and develop the Independence local business district.”

Gray’s plan is to carry a wide variety of products so that consumers view the store as a one stop shop for occasions like graduations, weddings, birthdays and baby showers.

“Our mission is to provide high quality gifts for all of life’s important moments,” Gray said. “We offer jewelry/accessories, home and entertaining, inspirational, candles, sweets, bath and body, pet items, seasonal as well as locally made items.”

In addition, Gray wants to stock the store with products that support charitable organizations such as The Foggy Dog, Dock & Bay, and Seattle Chocolate.

“Inventory will be changed frequently to provide variety throughout the seasons while still offering signature items year round,” Gray said. “We also strive to sell product lines with one or more of the following values: made in the USA, women-owned, and locally made.”

Gray’s family roots have been entrenched within the Independence community for decades, and she hopes that Indy Gifts can take hold the same way.

“My family and I spent a lot of time in Independence over the years,” Gray said. “We love living here and are excited to open a small business in this wonderful community.”

For more information on Indy Gifts and to view products, visit shopindygifts.com, Facebook.com/shopindygifts, or the shop’s Instagram page at @shopindygifts. ∞