Keepsake Christmas Shoppe opens doors this Saturday with Grand Opening

by Christy Parrott
Keepsake Christmas Shoppe will open its doors at 110 West Park Avenue #25 for a Grand Opening on Saturday, November 17th at 10am. Located in the Gore Range Artisan Village, the Keepsake Christmas Shoppe will be open year round and feature a variety of gifts “With ornaments and decorations for all seasons and occasions,” Owner Jerri Thornton assures. “Even if it’s February, and there’s a Valentines theme, there will always be Christmas trees.”

The Keepsake Christmas Shoppe will operate as an artist’s consignment shop, and feature local, anchor artists, such as Lorna Babcock of L’Ornamental Art. “Lorna brings her own style and years of retail experience,” says Thornton, who is grateful for Babcock’s years of expertise and proud to sell her wares, which includes the stunning sign marking the entrance to the charming Keepsake Christmas Shoppe. Babcock’s handcrafted ornaments, wood burning and signs will be available for purchase. Clem Staacks of Burls & Antlers will offer his famous artisan bottle stoppers for wines or oils, with jewelry and vases available soon. Julie Thomas’ Nana’s Sew Crafty will sell custom embroidery and glass etching, and Cliff and Holly Grant’s Craven Wood designs, which use Colorado cedar to produce beautiful tiered wood shelving, are on display and available for purchase. Additional items such as towels, placemats, fiber art, jewelry and watercolors by artists Janet Schayer, PJ Clark, Hannah George, Cassie Krehbiel, Lisa George, Patty Shannon, Amanda George, Julie Babcock and Ashley Tarver are available. Because the store is based on consignment, inventory will change daily.

With Keepsake Christmas Shoppe, Thornton is curating a space for artists who may not find a fit in other shops. “We need to keep room for growth in Kremmling,” she explains. Thornton would like everyone to be involved in local arts, whether supporting them through a purchase or trying their own hand at creating something new. “Competition is good and healthy. It keeps us fresh,” Thornton says. She hopes to sustain the “Shop Local” tradition that maintains and encourages businesses, new and old. This is important in keeping main street vital.

Along with her husband and partner Randy, Jerri has been a resident for over thirty years, running their charming and successful Keepsake Custom Framing & Gifts. “I’m excited to bring the Christmas Shoppe to the Gore Range Artisan Group Village, in addition to the other consignment and gift shops in town. Opening up some empty units will bring additional shopping to the community and tourists.” Thornton thanks the Gore Range Artisan Group Gallery, which she’s been a member of for over 5 years, “For helping me make this happen.” The Gore Range Artisan Group Gallery will be sharing the open house with Keepsake Christmas Shoppe Grand Opening, as well as their Annual Christmas Open House. “Grand County is big into the arts, and keeping it local is important,” Thornton says. With so many local artist’s pieces available, patrons can not only support their friends and neighbors but also discover folks and items they may not know, as well as see a little more of the creativity and beauty that Kremmling provides.

For the upcoming holiday season, the Keepsake Christmas Shoppe will feature a Santa’s Mail Box letter-writing station, where children of all ages are welcome to write out their wish list, which Thornton is happy to return to the families as both a keepsake as well as a way to figure out what loved ones actually want. The Grand Gazette will publish the letters for additional memorabilia.

Keepsake Christmas Shoppe’s regular hours will be Thursday through Monday from 10 am to 5 pm with extended hours by appointment (970-531-6264). The grand opening will include live drawings and refreshments.