
Dec. 18, 2008
By Amy K.D. TobikObserver Staff As the glass door slowly opens signaling the chime, customers peek in for a quick look, intrigued by the brown logo with hot pink lips on the window. "Welcome to It's a Chick Thing!" cheery owner Kerrie Stumpf calls out. It's easy to be drawn in by the jazzy holiday music and a large collection of unique treasures artistically displayed among stylish decorations. The new business, located on Aloma Avenue just east of Lakemont Avenue, alongside Outback Steakhouse, Tijuana Flats and Einstein Bagels, gets a constant flow of lingering pedestrians. "This plaza has such a nice feel to it — there are always people around, they congregate," Stumpf said. Stumpf often jokes with customers as they comment about the interesting collection of gifts. "My slogan is: I'm in the want business, not the need business," she said with a laugh. "You don't need a single thing in here, you want it!" Only a month since It's a Chick Thing! moved from its Winter Springs location, the 900-square-foot shop has become the ideal Winter Park spot to find those hip novelty gifts for friends, new moms and bachelorette parties, as well as sentimental mother-daughter gifts. From attractive pre-monogrammed travel mugs to traditional monogrammed silver necklaces, there is something charming for every woman. The stylish La-Tee-Da home fragrance lamps and candles make fantastic housewarming gifts and the handmade sterling silver fossil, mineral and gemstone jewelry makes a sophisticated present. The extensive selection of Pandora beads and bracelets has become their No. 1 seller, Stumpf said. Customers are immediately drawn to the extensive collection of UCF, Gator and FSU collegiate gifts, from decorated wine glasses to photo frames and food trays, all hand-painted by a local artist. First-time visitors can't help but laugh when they spot the high-heeled cake server or the drink holders with hot-pink feathered rims. The hand-painted martini and wine glasses decorated with tennis motifs or dice from a bunco game, and silly T-shirts with comical sayings about chocolate or wine, also earn a giggle. "People who want to spend between 20 and 30 dollars on a gift can come in here and pick up one or two things. It's fun and different and they didn't break the bank to do it," Stumpf said. Customer Patty D'Angelo of Winter Springs said she appreciates having a gift shop nearby that offers monogramming so she can personalize her gifts. "They have unique things you can't find at other stores — it's like a craft fair in here," D'Angelo said as she made her selection. Amber Tyler, once a dedicated customer at the Winter Springs location, traveled from Chuluota to the new shop to do her holiday shopping. "You can find unique gifts here, nothing that you absolutely need but is really cool and you just want it," she said with a laugh. "Where else can you find 'Future Trophy Wife' key chains?" she asked as she laid down her purchases on the counter for a newly engaged best friend. "I think it's fun to have the sassy items," Stumpf said with a smile. "People are so serious all the time." ----------
Find the Thing Women's novelty shop "It's a Chick Thing!" just moved from Winter Springs to Winter Park, at 1961 Aloma Ave. It's open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call 407-388-1400 for more information.
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