Big birthday at Peebles indie marks Stephanie Morrison’s 25 years in business
A quarter century of keeping people in touch has just been marked by The Gift Box in Peebles where Stephanie Morrison has been celebrating her shop’s big birthday.
“Over those 25 years, I had one shop, then two shops, then back to one shop, had two children and thankfully still the same husband!” Stephanie laughed.
“Back in 1999 I started off as a gift shop selling cards but, over the years, I’ve evolved into a card shop selling gifts!”
She was just 26 when she took the plunge, taking over the premises where the previous owner Elizabeth Ballantyne was retiring, and opened The Gift Box, with then Scotland rugby star Duncan Hodge cutting the ribbon.
After 10 years at number at 29 High Street, Stephanie moved across the road to the double-fronted premises at number six, running the two stores for a while before closing the original, and the anniversary has been marked with cake, a free prize draw, and a 20% discount day across the shop.
“It was a fantastic day and I’ve been overwhelmed by the kind wishes from my customers, companies and agents,” she added. “I received flowers, bubbly and lots of cards including a couple of beautiful handmade cards.”
Having seen many customers through their family lives, from pushing prams to their children coming in to buy cards and gifts themselves, Stephanie and hubby James had their own two children who are now 19 and 22, and her mum helped in the shop where she now works with three part-time staff having had “countless people working here over the years including youngsters working on Saturdays”.
Having earned a degree from Galashiels Textiles College, Stephanie worked at Jenners department store, in Edinburgh, on the graduate scheme and she said: “I went to different departments and that’s when I became more interested in gifts and cards. Living in Edinburgh, near Morningside, there were loads of lovely shops which were an inspiration.
She’s noticed many changes over the years as the designs used to be quite minimalist, with more hand-finished cards and the sustainability drive means the old days of everything being cello-wrapped are definitely over.
Stephanie added: “I do remember the company Art Angels as I loved them, and Saffron Cards from when I started. I used to sell a lot more house gifts and interior things, more jewellery, it’s flipped and I sell a lot more cards than before, supporting local artists and independent suppliers – everyone calls me the card shop now!”
