The Celebrate Spring Issue
A New Wave for Pacific Treasures & Gourmet
Pacific Treasures & Gourmet has been operating in downtown Visalia for more than 30 years—an impressive milestone. Original owner and founder Michelle Wiebe-Andrews shares this month about how her storefront began and the exciting new plans to pass the torch to new owners.
Q. How did your shop come to be? A. I opened my interior design studio, Wiebe Interiors, in 1988 and I loved doing interior design, but I found that it lacked the social interaction I so enjoy. So, after three years of doing that, I felt a retail location made perfect sense; and I felt it needed to be more than just design and decor to make the business flourish. That’s where Pacific Treasures was born. I did start out selling higher-end kitchenware, tabletop and gourmet foods, and over the years I added additional facets, including garden items, candles, bath accessories, barbecue accessories, a men’s section, the pet section, the baby and kids’ boutique and all the other fun stuff! Q. What key things have contributed to your success? A. First of all, our wonderful customers, my awesome staff, and all the behind-the-scenes people: my wonderful husband Jack, the many sales reps and companies that keep us supplied with great merchandise, and all of you who love and support me on a daily basis. Q. Did you originally envision it to be what it is today or was there a natural progression? A. I would have to say natural progression. Back in 1991, I never dreamed that Pacific Treasures would become what it is today. Every day in retail is a different day, meaning you never know what’s going to happen when you open the door in the morning. And every style and every hot item that comes along and everything that just happens along the path—they all contribute to how the store has evolved.
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