Great Goods for Giving Gifts at Variety, Discount and General Stores

By Sara Karnish

Not all gifts come from high-end boutiques. Variety, discount, and general stores carry a wide array of merchandise for cost-conscious customers suitable for any gift-giving occasion.

Shops like Winter Harbor 5&10 in Winter Harbor, Maine, carry staple items for locals and souvenirs and gifts for tourists within a 2,000-square-foot space. “I consider myself to be more of a general store because of all the stuff we carry,” said Owner Peter Drinkwater. “We’re really an old-fashioned 5 and 10; open year-round. Our best-selling gifts would be T-shirts, coffee cups, hats, magnets, and stickers.”

Vidler’s 5&10 in East Aurora, N.Y., has been a community fixture since 1930 and is billed as “the world’s largest 5&10.” The store carries an extensive selection of merchandise, including a dedicated gift section, in their 16,000-square-foot store. “There’s really not any one item that carries us,” explained Don Vidler , third-generation co-owner with his cousin Cliff. “We do a good business with the Ladies’ Night Out novelty cocktail accessories, unique coasters, wine bottle charms and koozies. We also sell a lot of items with the lodge/hunting décor—fishing and hunting motif, buffalo plaid. We have a boutique clothing and handbag section. We also do well with Snoozys [socks with fun patterns]. Right now we’re weeding out the summer items and bringing in the fall. Some people come here specifically looking for things—locals know we’ll probably have it—and others who come in are pleasantly surprised by what we have.”

Price point is sometimes less of a concern when buying a gift, but some shoppers are cost-conscious regardless of their purchase. Elaine J. Painting , manager of Ashton’s 5&10 in Carrollton, Ohio, said their biggest gifts are their selection of old-fashioned toys, and added, “We are in a farming community, and have to be thoughtful and mindful about price. It’s been difficult with the freight and surcharges—in some instances, they have gone up to 32 percent; we were used to 10 or 15 percent.” In addition to the retail store, which marks 90 years of business in 2022, the building is also home to the Ashton House Museum. Ashton’s founder deeded the property to a foundation prior to his death several years ago; Painting manages the foundation. She is familiar with her customers’ buying behaviors and does her best to stock merchandise accordingly. “We’re in

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