Customer gift baskets, which were prepared by Shay — owner of S&M Gifts N More | Photo courtesy of Shay

Julia Williams

Editor-in-Chief

S&M Gifts N more — a family business, with “S” standing for its owners, Shay and “M” for  Markus — has operated for 12 years. While formerly located in Gates Plaza at 12th and Brooklyn, the shop moved in August to its current space on Independence Avenue (2633 Independence Ave) — as Shay said the store was looking to expand but also find a space near its original location.

Specializing in gift baskets, Shay — along with her associates — create customized gift baskets for customers with products provided by vendors and company sources, S&M Gifts N More Associate, Mica said in an interview, Friday. 

Hand-selected by each shopper, these baskets can include anything from handbags, colognes, perfumes, trinkets or stuffed animals, among others — depending on client request. While Mica said Shay and her team create around 10 to 15 customized gift baskets per week, this amount fluctuates with the time of year — with a higher demand over the holiday season and spring months. 

This store additionally sells products in-house including women, men and children’s clothing, accessories and shoes. 

Shay said she wanted to create what she calls a  “one stop shop,” where clothing, accessories and shoes, among other items are accessible and affordable to the Northeast Community.

“We’re here to grow and be a part of the community,” Shay said in an interview, Friday. “We [want to] give back and [show] quality can be affordable.”

Every Saturday and Sunday, S&M Gifts N More holds its “Dollar Deals” days, which includes selling select bin items for a dollar. Products within these bins can range anywhere from work clothes or everyday wear — from infant to mens and womens — to wedding and prom dresses. 

As this store specializes in custom gift baskets, Mica said it plans to start hosting a “create your own basket day” for the public once a month. This would allow customers to visit S&M Gifts N More to create their own basket with personally selected products. 

In addition to S&M Gifts N More, Shay has acquired the old Dairy Queen space just next door (2635 Independence Ave), which she is in the process of turning into a restaurant.

An avenue location she said she visited in her youth, Shay now has plans to restore this space into an eatery with burgers, fish and chicken options — including offering themes such as Taco Tuesday, Wing Wednesday and Fish Friday.

While construction is still underway at this location, Shay and her team hope to have this space finished and opened to the public within the coming months.

“[We] hope to give back to the community and they embrace us,” Shay said in an interview. “[I’m] excited to touch the ground running.” 

S&M Gifts N More is open to the public from 12 to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. 

For vendors — local and otherwise — interested in partnering with S&M Gifts N More, they are asked to contact the business at: (816) 287-2803 or on facebook at: S&M Gifts N More.

Bring this sponsored content into S&M Gifts N More to receive 10% off a purchase.