Loraei’s Giftshoppe is fun, funky, unique

GRINNELL -- If you are looking for a unique gift for a wedding, anniversary, birthday or celebration of a unique person, check out the many offerings at Loralei’s Giftshoppe in Grinnell.

Located at 816 Commercial St., the business is owned by Verlan and Lori Vos of rural Searsboro.

Lori calls the business fun, funky and unique.

The Voses have owned the business since purchasing the building in 2002. The couple liked the feel of the building when deciding to purchase it. They have made many improvements, from new windows to hanging drywall and painting throughout.

The store has a variety of items from unique home décor and gift items to J. Devlin glass products (picture frames and jewelry boxes). There is a nice line of Iowa-made Milkhouse candles created in Osage. There is also a line of Studio M art poles (outside decorative items for flower gardens) and a wide variety of Geometry towels.

The building housed a harness shop for horses in the late 1800s.

After finishing the remodeling in 2003, the couple opened the Giftshoppe in 2004.

“We offer a handpicked selection of unique gifts, home accents and so much more,” said Lori. “Stop and test the scented candles or purchase another unique gift. Each season offers a new slate of products.

Village Decorating Studio

In addition to Loraei’s Giftshoppe, the couple also owns Village Decorating Studio across the street at 817 Commercial St., a business that specializes in floor, window, wall coverings and other interior design products.

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The couple purchased that business in 1999.

In fact, the studio is where Lori got her start in the decorating business.

After graduating from Lynnville-Sully High School in 1977, Lori earned an interior design degree from Kirkwood in 1979.

She was hired at Village Decorating Studio, working under three former owners before purchasing the business with her husband 20 years later.

When asked what keeps her going, Lori said her love of helping people with their decorating needs and helping them find the perfect product or gift that fits.

When asked what she enjoys the most about her businesses, Lori said meeting a variety of people.

“It is interesting how Grinnell is a meeting point from other parts of the state,” she said.

Lori often asks her customers what brings them to Grinnell.

“We use Grinnell as a meeting place,” one customer said. “We enjoyed lunch and wanted to check out the stores.”

A challenge is trying to find items that are unique for the variety of customers who stop at the store.

There are five part-time employees who help run the business.

“I couldn’t do it without a great staff,” she said. “I’m thankful for three things – a very supportive husband, a supportive family and three former business owners who mentored me.”

Lori’s goal in operating the business is to make her customers feel welcome and browse at their leisure.

“At Village Decorating Studio our goal is to help you make your home beautiful one room at a time,” said Lori. “We hope to inspire you with unique, one of kind items that can bring happiness to your own home or to that person receiving a gift.”

Loralei’s is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Village Decorating Studio is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday. Both stores are closed on Sunday.

Loraei’s Giftshoppe can be reached at 641-236-9605.

Village Home Decorating can be reached at 641-236-7890.

Checkout the businesses offerings on the internet at loraileisgrinnell.com or at villagedecoratingstudio.com.