The Gift Gallery

This is the second in a series of articles about local businesses, researched and written by Bartlett High School journalism students.

by John A. Plewa and Lauren M. Hughes

Twenty-seven years ago, the idea of trying something new entered the minds of the newly married couple and soon to be business owners, Kevin and Joanna Chester. For some time, they had always wanted a business of their own, and they chose the town of Webster for the start of their business, the Gift Gallery, which is located at 505 South Main Street. 

At the start of their business, the Chester family lived in the upstairs apartment portion of the building, with the store on the ground level. The store is family owned and operated by Kevin and Joanna Chester, along with the assistance of Joanna’s brother, John Scianna, who has been the manager there for 23 years and is always ready to assist customers.  Joanna Chester originally worked in retail stores; however she went to school to become an elementary teacher. Her husband, Kevin Chester, graduated from Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, and after graduation, worked in marketing.

Over the years, the Gift Gallery has provided services to many residents from around the area. Now they are expanding their line to compete with bigger stores and better serve their customers, while still maintaining reasonable prices and service right in the backyard of the residents of the area. The Gift Gallery offers a wide range of products, and is continuing to add more products to their stock; their merchandise includes unique gifts and collectibles, along with a new line of women’s fashion and accessories. And let’s not forget the sports section for the men (and women).

As a small business that is family owned and operated, the staff is more dedicated to its customers, providing one-on-one service, along with items that can be found in big box stores, such as a line of Yankee Candle products. The owners agree that meeting old and new customers provides a great feeling. Owning a business has its drawbacks, such as the amount of work needed to maintain the business, especially in this economy. In the economy today, everything is a risk, especially for business owners, who must balance the amount of products to buy, and realize that they cannot buy every product on the market.

So, if you are still looking for that perfect gift, your search is over. Look no further than the Gift Gallery. Their range of products is designed to provide unique collectibles at reasonable prices. If it weren’t for family owned businesses like the Gift Gallery, would America have been shaped into the country that it is today?

If you prefer to shop in the comfort of your home, no worries, the Gift Gallery is online as well at www.thegiftgallery.com. Store hours until Christmas are as follows: Monday-Saturday from 10-8 and Sunday from 12-6. Regular hours will resume after Christmas: Monday to Saturday from 10-6, Friday from 10-8 and closed on Sundays.