Sun staff
Area shoppers are encouraged to take advantage of the unique gift shop at Mercy Health Clermont Hospital, which supports healthcare programs and services at the facility.
Profits from Char-Mae Gift Shop, which opened in 1972, go toward the purchase of special equipment. Most recently, proceeds from the gift shop were used to purchase a pulmonary function machine.
The gift shop, named after its two founders, is overseen by the Clermont Mercy Hospital Guild, Inc.
The purpose of the guild is to fundraise for initiatives that support patient care, according to Tracy Taylor, director of volunteer services and Char-Mae Gift Shop at Mercy Health Clermont Hospital.
“Most people think it’s just a gift shop, but in actuality, there’s a really important reason for that gift shop to exist; the gift shop directly supports patient care in the community,” Taylor said.
The gift shop carries a wide array of distinctive gifts, including ‘up and coming products’ that are not found at discount chains, according to Taylor.
“We’re not a traditional gift shop. We made it our purpose not to be a traditional gift shop,” Taylor said. “We encourage people to stop in even if they don’t have someone in the hospital to visit.”
She added, “If you don’t want to fight the Eastgate traffic, stop here.”
Visitors to the gift shop can choose from candles, exclusive household items, jewelry, figurines, art prints and apparel, including ponchos.
“We try to carry a variety of unique items,” Taylor said. “In fact, people travel from other Mercy Hospitals to our store to shop.”
The gift shop also carries traditional patient gifts, like flowers, cards and balloons; about 25 percent of the shop’s sales come from these gifts, according to Taylor.
The gift shop, like many other retailers, was hit hard by the 2008 recession, Taylor said.
“This year, we made it our goal to stop the bleeding, and we exceeded last year’s sales by 25 percent,” she said.
“So, this year, we are on an upswing, and that just means more money for the hospital.”
The gift shop is primarily operated by volunteers. Taylor said the guild is looking for four more volunteers to work in the gift shop.
“Our volunteers are really passionate about community and giving back,” she added, “They really enjoy their work at the gift shop.”
The Char-Mae Gift Shop is on the first floor of Mercy Health Clermont Hospital, located at 3000 Hospital Drive in Batavia. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 12 – 6 p.m. on Sunday. Call the gift shop at 513-732-8218 or 513-732-8230 for more information.