For some, a visit to the Gourmet Soap Market in Willoughby may serve as a holiday gift in itself.
Refreshing fragrances, colorful and creative displays and thousands of interesting items stimulate the senses and encourage a pleasurable, relaxing shopping experience.
Owner Barbie Gennarelli initiates the satisfying venture by ensuring customers are greeted with scents, samples, smiles and the sound of music.
The shop, housed in a bright pink building, and its practical as well as pampering products, have garnered attention and multiple accolades.
The Heart of Willoughby organization has deemed the shop as the best place to buy a unique gift in Willoughby. Its products were honored in the Best of Cleveland 2013 contest, and the business ranked as the fourth top gift shop out of 84 nominees on Cleveland’s 2014 Hot List.
The shop has also been featured on local television shows.
Gennarelli, a gregarious and energetic individual, is featured in a book titled ‘The Entrepreneurs: Success and Sacrifice’ by Kip Marlow.
A Euclid High graduate and current Willoughby resident, Gennarelli worked successfully in the corporate world before deciding she wanted to travel less in order to spend more time with her family, which includes three sons.
Using her corporate and marketing skills she started up a home-based business selling soaps in 2010. Cleansing materials fascinated her since receiving a gift of soap molded to resemble a pair of shoes when she was a youngster.
Starting out at the seasonal Willoughby Market, the products’ success led her to open a shop on Erie Street, later moving to the current spot at 37917 Vine St.
‘The whole concept is fresh, usable, handcrafted gifts made in small batches,’ Gennarelli said. ‘Soap is something everyone will use. It’s not a gift that will sit on a shelf.’
A crafting team comprised of individuals from Cleveland and other areas in the U.S. supply the store with products in all price ranges.
Among top sellers is an olive oil soap made in three versions: wrinkle defy, oatmeal milk and honey and skin renew selling for $6 per ‘slice.’ Other soaps decorated for the holidays include sugarplum, Christmas tree and gingerbread.
‘Once you experience handmade soap with natural rich glycerine you’ll never go back,’ Gennarelli said. She noted that many times soaps made en masse and sold in larger retail stores remove the glycerin for its value, leaving a less effective product.
Another popular item is a triple-whipped lotion comprised of beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter that can be used on elbows, hands, feet, hair and other parts of the body selling for $12.95.
A Santa’s Corner has been set up with special holiday-themed items.
Those seeking inexpensive presents and stocking stuffers may assemble an assortment of samples costing as little as 50 cents each. Placed in a decorative bag, the variety provides a handy opportunity to try several products.
Among store staples and always in demand are soapy sponges and loofah bars containing both soap and a scrubbing element, Gennarelli said. Directions note to ‘have a blast with this unique soap and sponge in one. Simply wet the sponge and squeeze for a foamy clean shower or bath.’ Cost of the dual purpose sponge is $9.50; $8.50 for the loofah.
For an extra rich lotion, Gennarelli said Argan Oil at $21.95 is considered a drink for your face. She added that the oil is cold-pressed from seed of a tree and so effective that it’s often referred to as liquid gold.
Seeking to satisfy customers of different tastes, a Cafe Bakery area presents cupcakes and other sweet items, all made of soap. And the bonus? Each carries the fragrance of the confection serving as its inspiration.
Youngsters might easily be more convinced to clean up when presented with a bar of soap holding toy lizards or ballerinas. The more the soap is used the closer the child gets to uncovering the ‘prize’ inside.
Gennarelli claims that many of the shop’s customers are men, seeking to purchase treats for their significant others as well as themselves.
A section designated as ‘What Men Prefer’ offers body mists, body washes, shaving dishes and brushes and more.
Enhancing the positive aspects of each purchase is gift-wrapping. From free, simple wrapping to more elaborate totes resembling designer purses at an additional cost, the choice of presentation lies with the customer.
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