Ten Years, and Zinnia's is Still Going Strong

From purse hooks to chenille baby blankets, Zinnia’s is bursting like a spring bouquet, brimming with colorful, fragrant and fun gifts. The one-stop gift shop is tailored to meet customer needs for garden, birthday, special occasion and holiday shopping. It’s hard to not find things to buy at Zinnia’s Home and Garden.

Proprietor Marion Palm chose the Scotts Valley locale, in Graham Plaza at 219 Mt. Hermon Rd., because Starbucks was opening up next door. A boutique needs foot traffic to find success, and Starbucks helps make that happen.

In June, Zinnia’s will celebrate its 10-year anniversary.

“Things are going very well,” Palm said. “We have a great team, a great location and excellent customers—that’s what you need for success.”

Palm said her customers are loyal and have kept Zinnia's busy during a time when lots of small businesses have not been so fortunate. Customers know that if they need a gift, Zinnia's will deliver. Mother’s Day was so busy at the store, said saleswoman Ana Jiménez, it was like a second Christmas.

Zinnia’s stocks posh brands like Crabtree & Evelyn and Brighton (jewelry, wallets, handbags and sunglasses), lady’s apparel, candles, local art and so much more.

“The women in your life will love this store,” Jiménez said.

But Zinnia’s is not just for the ladies; it’s also men-friendly, according to Palm. It even have a section with Father’s Day gifts, including uniquely designed graphite writing utensils, perfect for the man with a desk job. It looks like a pencil, is a beautiful desk object and works like a pen. A literary line of candles—Henry David Thoreau and Oscar Wilde inspired scents, photo imprinted wood hangings and Woodstock Chimes also make good guy gifts.

Navigating a successful gift boutique through a topsy-turvy economy requires care. Palm seems to have a knack for fulfilling customer needs both in stocking and in pricing.

“Marion is great at following customer needs,” Jiménez said.

“We have to keep a close eye on what we’re selling. We try to have a good range and be within people’s budgets,” Palm added.

Palm knows what customers need, want and like. And her sales force is refreshingly attentive, friendly and helpful.

“Something that I’ve noticed is that people aren’t buying for themselves as much, but they’re still buying gifts,” Jiménez said. “Things are still going out the door, they’re just gift wrapped.”

For customer convenience, complimentary gift wrapping is available year round on all non-sale items. Yes, Zinnia’s aims to pamper customers, making their gift giving simple and fun.

 “I like working at a small business," Jiménez said. "Working here gives me a chance to hear people’s stories and to connect with the community. I love it."