5 minute read
Q&A with Pacific Treasures
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.
Q. What was the biggest thing that Pacific Treasures had to overcome?
A. Christmas night of 2018. That night changed everything forever. There was a big fire on Main Street and we lost our location and all of our inventory to smoke and fire damage.
The next evening, all of us PT (Pacific Treasures) sisters gathered on December 26 for our planned Christmas party. It turned out not to be so much of a party, but a time for us all to just be together and think about what was next. As we grieved our beloved store during the next few weeks, we all jumped into action together. We found a new location, remodeled it, and all the while, I was ordering merchandise like a crazy person! We banded together and took all the knowledge from being in business that many years and made a whole new store! It took awhile to love the new store as much as the old one, but I can honestly say now that I absolutely adore the new store! Rebuilding the store helped all of us PT sisters to bond in such a very special way. On March 29, 2019, Pacific Treasures was the first business destroyed by the fire to reopen on Main Street.
Q. What are the advantages of shopping in person in regards to the customer experience?
A. I personally love to shop in person. I want to see it, touch it and take it home immediately with me! I love the instant gratification of shopping in person. Shopping at Pacific Treasures is an experience: Great music, wonderful aromas, happy people, and tons of things to look at and interact with. Plus, gorgeous gift wrapping and a good vibe all around from top to bottom!
Q. What have you enjoyed most about owning a retail storefront in downtown Visalia?
A. I have loved everything—all the friendships made here, for sure! Most of you know that I grew up in downtown Visalia in my dad’s (Arnold Wiebe) car dealership. My old joke is that I was raised by car salesmen on Main Street! Having been downtown for most of my life, I have to say that I love our downtown dearly. I have always been very happy to be part of it.
Q. What is on the horizon for Pacific Treasures & Gourmet?
A. After 31 years of owning Pacific Treasures (and at times being owned by it) I am ready to catch up on home life, be with my family, cook, garden, and do all kinds of other fun stuff. Melinda Kuhnel, who has worked for me for seven years, will now take the wheel as she and her husband Aaron have purchased the business. I am more than confident that they will do an outstanding job moving forward. I now have the opportunity to be a “PT employee” which means I get to do all the fun stuff that I enjoy so much, like wrapping beautiful gifts and designing gift baskets—my absolute favorite things to do! (And of course, visiting with all of you.) Thank you all so much for your friendship, support, love, and being part of this big Pacific Treasures family for 31 wonderful years! Cheers to another 30 years with Melinda and Aaron! See you soon!
Michelle Wiebe-Andrews, original owner and founder
