By Kevin Greer
Lakeside Communications Manager
Gifts That Give Back quickly became a popular store on Second Street since opening in April 2023. Owners Cassie and Charlie Davis have decided to move, but Lakesiders won’t have to go far to shop at the new location.
The Davises will be moving all their merchandise to 123 W. Second Street, the site of the former Marilyn’s 2, about a block east from the current location. It will remain open until moving begins.
“My real estate agent texted the link to me that the building was available,” Cassie said. “I was like, ‘I don’t think I have another project like that in me,’ and my husband’s like, ‘Let’s do it.’”
Cassie said the added space and the second floor apartment were determining factors in their decision. Their Gifts That Give Back location in Logan, Ohio, is larger and has a rental unit above the store, so the concept is nothing new.
“We have the same concept in Logan, where we have an Airbnb up top,” Cassie said. “It helps to take care of the store below. When we realized that there was an apartment above Marilyn’s 2, it seemed like a good call.”
Renovations to the new store will begin sometime in the fall with plans to open by Memorial Day weekend, possibly sooner. The inventory will consist of ethically made items from artisans all over the world Lakesiders are used to seeing. With the added space, home goods that are available in Logan will also be on the shelves in Lakeside. Cassie also is hoping to host workshops like she does in Logan.
“We’re going to completely open the store up,” Cassie said. “They’re going to have to do beams and stuff like that on load bearing areas, but it’s going to be a pretty wide open floor plan.”
Charlie will a have small crew helping him with the renovations. They also completed construction on the apartment prior to the 2024 season, including floors, ceilings and the entire kitchen. It comfortably sleeps six with bunk beds, a queen bed and a full size bed. A laundry room will be added prior to the 2025 season and a golf cart, bikes and on-site parking are all included. There is a two-night minimum for all stays. Rental costs vary depending on the time of the year, but there is a 10% discount for booking three months in advance.
“Everything is brand new,” Cassie said. “We’ve already have people booked into next spring and summer. Luckily, Charlie is a jack of all trades, and he can do the renovations with some helpers.”
Cassie says they took a “leap of faith” when they decided to open Gifts That Give Back in Lakeside, and it has been very successful. Now that they have a store and apartment, they can follow the same business model they have in Logan.
“We always say, ‘You can shop with purpose downstairs, and you can stay with purpose upstairs,’” Cassie said. “It’s kind of our whole model, because when you stay upstairs, you’re also contributing to the whole mission behind the store.”
