The Story of My Business: Gorge Gifts - Upd: October, 2004

Gorge Gifts is an online company that does what it's name says; sells gifts that are produced in the Columbia River Gorge. Our area has unique and high quality products and we sell these goods individually, packaged together as a unique gift boxes or we let the customer create his or her own gift box. We customize gifts for holidays, weddings, conferences and businesses - all with a personal touch.

It started with applesauce. During the rainy season, Jody and I would gather at each other's homes with our four young children and plan away. Evan and Jason, then nine and ten months old, were learning to eat real food.

"They've got to eat applesauce," we thought to ourselves. After all we're in the Hood River Valley surrounded by apples and pears. And we couldn't just buy applesauce, we had to make it. Then we thought, we could master the art of applesauce and distribute it world-wide. Well, there were a few problems with our plan. First, our kids weren't that keen on applesauce and second they wanted to go outside and explore.

So we got out of the kitchen, put on our sneakers and started exploring the Gorge. The result was our book, Kidding Around the Gorge - the Hood River Area's Ultimate Guide for Family Fun. Jill Crimmins, web designer with Locus Interactive (Jody's sister) created a website to market the book. The site was so professional that we decided to partner with Waucoma, the local bookstore, and sell all sorts of books about the Gorge. At that time we called ourselves Gorgebooks.com.

Our book showcases the wonders of the Gorge. One day, Jody suggested we also showcase goods made in the Gorge. She was frustrated last winter when she was buying gifts for her family and friends. In order to send gifts from the area, she had to shop at several stores and festivals, package the gifts and then wait in line at the Post Office to send them. Why not be the one-stop-shop and handle all of the work for our customers?

We started selling Apple Valley's jam, Peg Kinsey's dried fruit and gourmet chocolate covered cherries, Ambler's Blissful Brownies and Pucker Huddle's Lavender. Soon, we added art, including Craig Graffius' glass wine stoppers and Steven Daniel's mugs and hot plates. This expansion of our business made it preferable to change our name. Thanks to Doris Schmidt of e-Service, we were able to get a much more fitting name, GorgeGifts.com

In addition to selling goods online, we have added custom gift box/basket service. We work with hotels like The Columbia Gorge Hotel to put together unique gifts for the bride and groom. We also customize corporate gifts, from small snack sacks and gourmet taste boxes to impressive thank you gifts overflowing with unique products of the Gorge. When you combine the goods of the Gorge, the end result is a unique gift that is not only delicious, but also memorable.

Please browse our shelves at www.Gorgegifts.com or contact us at 541-400-9006.

Contact Us

Ruth Berkowitz and Jody Barringer
Gorge Gifts
2260 Riverdale Road
Hood River, OR 97031

(541) 400-9006

www.gorgegifts.com
sales@gorgegifts.com

Home

Home

Back to Archive Directory