Gifts Afloat Says Farewell to Old Location

After more than 25 years anchored at the corner of 10 Mile and Jefferson, will be relocating.

Never fear, the shop won't be moving far–just a bit south, where the Red Hat Winery used to be. Donna Flaherty, owner of Gifts Afloat and president of the , is shutting the door on April 14 and plans to reopen May 1 at the new site.

Flaherty started the shop in 1985 with her late husband Paul, but then it was more marine surveying and boat appraisals with a few gifts for sale. Her husband passed away a couple years after the shop opened, and in 1989 Donna made it 100 percent retail.

Gifts Afloat aims for quality, elegant items that are more investment than impulse. Flaherty regularly shops national markets. “I go and explore and find things” for the shop.

Flaherty says she sells to all kinds of customers, to furnish their homes, boats, offices and condos. Most of the items are décor, but she also sells plenty of other items, including jewelry, T-shirts, jackets and boat shoes. She also has themes–yachting, pirate, tropical fish and antique Chris-Craft. The new shop will house those types of motifs as well, including the Great Lakes and freighters.

“In reality, it's a mini-department store,” Flaherty says. “I emphasize unique and quality–that's my base.”

She says she will retain the boutique feel at the new location—“I don't want a box store.”—and keep the nautical theme–a given on “the Mile,” where she intends to stay. “I would never leave it.”

Flaherty is thrilled about the changes. “I'm excited about my move,” she said.

Plus, she'll only be down the street, and with the “tremendous support from customers and merchants on the avenue,” she feels only excitement.

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CORRECTION: The headline for this story was corrected on April 5 at 4:30 p.m.