EVERETT — It takes a special eye to find the items that line the aisles of J. Matheson Gifts, Kitchen &Gourmet.
It also takes a special ear.
J. Matheson celebrates 25 years in business in early April. The store is a fixture in downtown Everett, offering a mix of gifts and home decor. Shop owner Judy Matheson credits the store’s longevity to listening to what her customers tell her, what they like and what they need.
“I go to gift shows with customers in mind,” Matheson said. “If I see something, I think, ‘Oh Mary or Sue would love this.’”
And Matheson has a special knack for finding what will be popular with her customers, said store planner Galen Spaulding. In fact, that level of customer service is what separates J. Matheson from other shops of its kind around the Puget Sound area, she said.
“The product selection, you can’t argue with, it’s top notch,” Spaulding said. “What puts this store over the top is people enjoy coming in here. It’s a good experience.”
The store at 2615 Colby Ave. plans a two-day anniversary sale Friday and Saturday, giving away merchandise every half hour. Matheson grew up in Everett and has lived almost all of her life in Snohomish County. The exception was a three-year stint in Alaska where her husband, Hugh Matheson, was stationed in the military.
When they returend, Judy Matheson went to work for Jim and Nancy Mitchell of Mitchell’s Pharmacy in Lake Stevens. She spent 18 years at the pharmacy and even became a partner in their Granite Falls store. Still, she wanted to venture out on her own.
In 1991, Matheson opened her store on Colby with the help of the Mitchells. Over the years, J. Matheson Gifts has evolved from offering quality and unusual gifts to a store that features home accessories, kitchen and bake wares, gourmet foods, clothing and accessories, children’s wear and toys, jewelry and more.
“I always wanted to have my own business and dreamed about it being in Everett,” Matheson said.
Need a dragon-shaped children’s backpack? J. Matheson has it. Paper table runners? It’s there. Pots and pans or cocktail shakers or aprons, all are stocked on the shelves.
Customer Kim Lamb has been her customer dating back to when Matheson was at Mitchell’s Pharmacy.
“I was so excited when she started this store because everything she buys, I love …” Lamb said.
To find all her wares, Matheson or one of her employees — she employs two full- and six part-time — heads to gift shows across the U.S. She also spends much of her free time looking for what may be the next hot seller.
“I read every giftware catalog I can get my hands on,” Matheson said. “I really take them to bed and read them at night. I don’t read novels, I read giftware catalogs.”
The holiday season is the busiest time of year, but Matheson also is busy before Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and graduation. She also keeps a selection of cards on hand for every occasion.
Mixed in with her stock are books that she thinks will appeal to her customers. (Celebrity chef Tom Douglas packed the store with people when he showed up to sign one of his cookbooks several years ago.)
Over the years, Matheson said she has chosen only a few duds, remembering a bottle warmer that didn’t do as well as she expected. She said if she really believes in an item and loves it, it’s easier to sell. Besides, most of the stock gets cleared out when she does an annual sale.
“We don’t mark things up to mark them down like the big stores do,” she said.
After 25 years, Matheson has gotten the inevitable question: How much longer will she run the shop? While her husband Hugh has retired, Matheson doesn’t expect to step away any time soon.
“If you love what you’re doing, why quit?” Matheson said. “I enjoy getting up and going to work each day. I can’t ask for anything more.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
