By Rich Bockmann
There is a colorful new store in Douglaston offering an array of gifts and a festive atmosphere.
“The store looks like a party, like a little wonderland,” said Giftalicious co-owner Demetra Sirica.
The store, at 42-34 235th St., has a cake-inspired, pink, brown and green decor and shelves stocked with gift ideas for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and a host of other occasions.
Sirica said she and co-owner Debbie Frantellizzi decided to open a shop about six months ago that would combine the sensibilities of a boutique gift shop and a neighborhood coffee place.
Upon first entering, customers are met with jars of candy, and a stroll around the floor reveals classic gift ideas such as balloons, picture frames, soy-candles, dips and crackers and other party favors.
What Giftalicious does best, said Sirica, is provide personal service for its customers. Sirica will create custom baskets containing any combination of items a customer requests, which can then be hand-delivered in Queens and Nassau County or shipped anywhere beyond.
Customers “can buy a cake, put it on a platter and get it gift wrapped,” she said. “They don’t even have to leave their house.”
The two owners, both longtime Douglaston residents, also wanted their store to be a place that would take advantage of its location near the Long Island Rail Road station and be a place for the community to gather. There is a small seating area where customers can sip coffee after making a selection from a display case filled with cakes, muffins, pies and other pastries.
Since the doors to the Douglaston Market were shut and locked last month, a community coffee shop is something that has been sorely missed.
“We want to be the new Douglaston Market,” Sirica said with a smile, “without the egg sandwiches.”
Giftalicious is open Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The shop will be offering free iced or regular coffee until Aug. 15.
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
