New Gift Shop Adds Some Pizazz to Downtown Lakeville

Pizazz Accessories and Gifts is one of Lakeville’s newest boutiques, located in the back of Barger’s Salon on Holyoke Avenue. We sat down with owner Erica Demo to talk about what makes her shop unique and why she chose Lakeville.

Lakeville Patch:  What inspired you to open Pizazz Accessories and Gifts?

Erica Demo:  I’ve been working in Lakeville for about 14 years at Barger’s Salon, where I’m a stylist. My new shop is right in the back of the salon. I’ve always loved gifts, accessories and purses, and when the space became available I decided I’d give it a whirl back here on my own. That way I can still work in the salon as a stylist, but I have this on top of it. It’s nice because I have an entrance in the back by the post office, that’s sort of the main entrance where I have a sign, and then there’s also one in the front through the salon.

Lakeville Patch:  So you’re a fairly new business. How’s it going so far?

Demo: We actually opened at a great time, so it’s been pretty good. We opened on December 1st right before Christmas, and that gave us a lot of great exposure during the holidays. We survived January, which was good too, because January is a time when not many people shop. But things have been going well overall.

Lakeville Patch:  What are some of the products you sell and where do you get them?

Demo:  I carry purses, hats, jewelry, and other items like belts and wallets. I also have candles and soaps. So I’d call it gifts and accessories. Some of my vendors are online, and some are local. There’s a supplier I use in Albert Lea, MN called “Minnesoyda Nice,’ and they make the soy candles I sell right there. So it’s nice to have them on board as a local supplier.

Lakeville Patch:  So why Lakeville?

Demo:  I’m originally from Coon Rapids, but my husband is from Lakeville.  I’ve lived here for 15 years. Part of the reason was convenience I suppose, because I’ve worked at the salon for 14 years and of course I have established clientele here. When the opportunity came to add a new business in the same location, I took it. But we also have a lot of great foot traffic downtown, and a lot of businesses are growing, so it’s a nice spot to add a business to. Downtown Lakeville is a wonderful area. It’s so nice that so many businesses are doing well here. It’s an old-fashioned downtown not far from the bigger cities.  

Lakeville Patch:  Do you have a particular business philosophy?

Demo:  Well, I really try to keep my prices low. I want people to be able to afford to shop here, and I want them to come back. We’re also a family business--my husband and two daughters helped me open the store, and they also help me run it.

If you’d like to know more about Pizazz Accessories and Gifts, check them out on Facebook. Erica lists specials, new products and sales on a regular basis.

Pizazz Accessories and Gifts is located inside Barger’s Salon at 20700 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, MN.