Vacation is all about taking time to relax in a different location, whether that be by calming coastal shorelines, picturesque mountainsides or anywhere else in between. To capitalize on getting much-needed rest on vacation, people love going to resorts that provide them with everything they need in one destination, from food to activities and at the end of the day, shopping for mementos to take home.
Resorts are scattered all over the place in just about any destination people might want to visit. People flock to Palm Island Resort in Placida, Florida, for the tropical, island vibe it provides. Retail Manager Orchid Fernandez notes that visitors simply love that the spot is surrounded by the ocean.
“The atmosphere here is so laid-back and beautiful,” she describes. “You’re surrounded by palm trees and water. Everyone all says the same thing: it’s so laid-back.”
Instead of traveling by car, a lot of resort guests travel around by go-cart or simply by foot. Fernandez adds that all her customers say they appreciate the high level of customer service the resort offers.
“Everyone who stays at the resort notices that housekeeping is good, everything is good,” she says. “It’s a really great place to come on vacation.”
People interested in a more rustic vacation surrounded by nature might enjoy Fontana Village Resort in Fontana Dam, North Carolina. The resort’s Retail Manager Greg Brown says the resort offers 194 accommodations, including both cabin and lodge rooms along with additional camp sites along the Tennessee River. He notes that the resort boasts an array of amenities that cater to a variety of interests: a marina with boat rentals and tours, a swimming pool with a lazy river, a disc golf course, a mini golf course and over 20 miles of on-site hiking and mountain biking trails. The resort also has two restaurants, a gas station and, of course, retail.
“These features ensure that visitors have everything they need for a relaxing and enjoyable stay,” says Brown.
Other resorts focus on providing family fun for guests of all ages. Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan, Wisconsin, is what Gift Shop Manager Sue Phelps calls “a generational resort,” with many families returning to the lakeside resort year after year. The resort itself is rife with history.
Fontana Village Resort guests can commemorate their time on the Tail of the Dragon with a dragon-themed souvenir.
“This area was occupied by Native Americans thousands of years ago. It also was the headquarters for Barnum and Bailey Circus at one point in time,” Phelps shares, adding that a circus elephant was even buried in the lake after it passed away many years ago. “People come here because of the history. We still have Indian burial mounds on our property.”
Visitors love the resort’s lakeside activities as well — Phelps says guests can enjoy boating, water skiing, biking and more. In colder months, they can also ice skate or play ice shuffleboard. On rainy days, kids can enjoy indoor laser tag as well.
She adds, “It’s amazing. We get grandparents, great-grandparents and the great-grandchildren all coming here. It’s very much a family resort.”
Put the name on it
Like with many attractions, resort guests appreciate when resort retailers have souvenirs that feature either the town or resort name drop on them so they can remember their stay.
Phelps shares that she features the Lake Lawn Resort name drop on just about any souvenir she can — T-shirts, hoodies, plush, beach towels, decor and more.
“Whatever I can put a logo on, I will!” she says.
Currently, sweatshirts and hoodies that say, “Lake Lawn Resort – Catch the Vibe” and spell out “Wisconsin” down the sleeves are a big hit with customers, especially younger buyers.
Lake Lawn Resort opened in 1878, and Phelps adds that customers seem to like merchandise that includes “established in 1878” with the resort name drop.
Simplicity is also key with souvenirs. Phelps says people love to buy plain coffee mugs with the Lake Lawn Resort name drop.
“People seem to go toward larger mugs, plain with the name drop on it,” she explains. “They’re not fancy, but that’s what they want.”
Lake Lawn Resort Gift Shop features the resort name drop on many souvenirs in the store, including hoodies, plush and towels. Bears are also a popular motif.
Fernandez says she can’t keep merchandise in stock if it bears the Palm Island Resort logo, especially in the apparel category.
“Name drop is popular on both men’s and women’s apparel,” she notes.
Fontana Village Resort features four stores full of souvenirs and other essentials for resort guests, including The General Store, The Dam Garage, The Marina shop and The Dam Gift Shop. Brown says name-dropped stickers are popular at the stores.
“We carry many different styles of stickers,” adds Brown. “We currently have about 75 different styles per location. People love shopping stickers, so the more we can give them, the happier they are.”
T-shirts and other name-dropped apparel also do well at the North Carolina resort.
“Surprisingly, sweaters have been a big hit during the summer season,” he says. “Fleece crewneck has been popular, too.”
Brown adds that the softer the better with T-shirts. “People make a decision to buy with their hands and their eyes.”
Unique finds
Resort guests also appreciate when the shops carry some one-of-a-kind souvenirs or gifts they can take home.
At Palm Island Resort, people love that Dune Jewelry features sand from around the area.
“Everybody loves the fact that it’s the sand from here, all elements of Cape Haze,” Fernandez says. “We also sell a lot of the animal tracking bracelets from Fahlo. Those are extremely popular here since we’re near the ocean.”
Worry Dolls are also a draw for customers at the Palm Island Resort shop.
“They’re these little dolls that ‘take your worries away’ after you put them under your pillow,” Fernandez explains. “Those are really cute, for both kids and adults.”
Beachy and coastal themes are popular on souvenirs at the Palm Island Resort Gift Shop in Placida, Florida.
While not your typical souvenir, Lake Lawn Resort guests love browsing the gift shop’s assortment of moccasins. Phelps says the store carries a wide assortment of Minnetonka moccasins that are always a big seller among men and women alike.
“I’d have to say our most popular item are boots and slippers in the winter,” she adds.
Phelps says logoed beanies also do very well in the cooler months. And Lake Lawn Christmas ornaments are certainly big close to the holidays, but Phelps says those will sell year-round, too.
Women also love shopping around the gift shop for resort wear.
“I carry a lot of Coco + Carmen and Simply Noelle clothes for the ladies, and they love it,” says Phelps, adding that having nice apparel is great for guests who might be making their fifth or sixth trip to the destination. “A lot of people walk in and say, ‘I know I’ve been here, I don’t need more Lake Lawn Resort merchandise,’ but they’ll go to the women’s clothing.”
Fontana Village Resort carries a lot of nice items for customers to take home as gifts, such as resort apparel, vintage candy and some local crafts or honey. Brown says people also love the shops’ Tail of the Dragon-themed souvenirs.
“Located just nine miles from Fontana Village Resort is Tail of the Dragon,” he explains. “This nickname was given to a section on U.S. Route 129, which winds through the mountains along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. This 11-mile section of road is renowned for its 318 curves, making it a thrilling experience for motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts. The Tail of the Dragon has become a bucket-list spot for many drivers and riders due to its challenging and exhilarating nature.”
Over the years, the resort has gotten more guests who are in town to test the wild roads.
Brown adds, “Carrying Tail of the Dragon items is significant because it allows enthusiasts to take a piece of the experience home with them.”
Service focused
As part of a resort, these gift shops need to keep hospitality top-of-mind with customers.
Brown says listening to guests is key to success for resort gift shops.
“Listen to your guests,” he says. “If you have the things they want, they will continue to shop in your store. Communication and time management with staff is vital.”
More than anything else, Fernandez says she loves the customer service aspect of her job at the Palm Island Resort shop.
“In a gift shop, conversations and getting personal with customers is so important,” she shares. “Ask them questions — it will make things easier to sell. Build relationships. Remember, in a resort, you’re going to see the same people for about a week or two, and then you’ll see them every year. People come to private resorts like this for years. So build that relationship here in the shop.”
She concludes, “My main thing — customer service is what I like to give.”
