Gift basket boutique opens in downtown Fergus Falls

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Monday, August 27, 2007

A few months ago Judy Carlson, who operates Therapeutic Massage for Women on the west side of Fergus Falls, was talking with her son, Kyrk, who lives in Colorado. He said that candy baskets are really becoming popular in his state. That conversation sowed the seeds for Cordial Expressions by Ann Elaine which opened Aug. 18 in downtown Fergus Falls at 212-1/2 West Lincoln Avenue.

Carlson runs the establishment with her sister, Joyce Visser, who lives in Alexandria and who formerly worked as an Associate in Ministry at First Lutheran Church of Alexandria. She still lives there and said that Alexandria will be part of the marketing area for Cordial Expressions.

Judy is currently juggling both careers.

“I love my clients and intend to continue my massage practice on a part-time basis until the right person comes along to take over for me,” she said. They added Ann Elaine to their gift basket business name as an afterthought.

“Ann and Elaine are our middle names and we thought it had a nice ring to it, as well as differentiating us from any other possible Cordial Expressions,” Judy said.

Joyce said that she and Judy decided to go with a European theme in the store.

“Belgian chocolates, which is included in each gift basket, is one of our main items,” Joyce said. “In addition to gift baskets, we carry an assortment of other gift items such as ceramic glassware, novelty photo frames and organic coffees — to name a few.”

Each basket is designed according to the occasion and the person receiving the basket. Judy said that once she and Joyce have the information, they can go over the price ranges with the sender and create what they term “the perfect basket.”

Customers can come in and pick up their baskets or have them delivered by Cordial Expressions.

Judy and Joyce can also ship the baskets nationwide.

There are a variety of items that can be included in the gift baskets sent to relatives or friends. Along with the Belgian chocolates, Visser and Carlson said the gourmet coffees and teas are especially popular.

There also are a wide variety of nut mixes, candies, cocoas, chocolate dessert sticks and other goodies.

Baby baskets for new mothers are popular as well.

One basket ready for purchase includes Belgian chocolate, a coffee mug, chocolate spoon, teas, a relaxation bar of soap, candles, a teething rattle for the baby and a doily.

“We like to tell people about Karen Neuberger’s new line of flavored sugars, teas and coffees, Joyce said. “Our intention is to expand our giftware lines considerably as we move into the holidays.”

If people don’t want to take the time to wait for a customized basket, there are ready-made baskets available.

They also have a handyman’s gift basket. Items include a pliers, screwdriver, sunflower nuts, caramels, gourmet coffee, peach jelly, Bourbon Street mix (spicy crackers), sweet and salty mix and Bison sticks (a form of beef jerky).

“We want to establish a reputation for great service, quality and value,” Judy said. “We’re a work in progress.”