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New business is “total package” for parties and gifts
Gigi’s by Grace Ann Designs opened its doors to the public on Oct. 1 and has since steadily grown to offer a range of services to local Baldwin County residents. Owner Anna Grace Pryor is a loving mother who spent the majority of her professional career working in the corporate world. For about seven years, she worked by another person’s schedule and assigned tasks before making the decision to stay home with her children. She wished to have more control of her job and time to better spend it with her kids.
“I began with exploring side hustles like monogramming and crafts,” said Pryor. “I really enjoyed making the jewelry and it kind of took off from there.”
Before Gigi’s opened, Pryor established a business in 2019 named Grace Ann Designs. She had been dabbling in crafts and different business ventures when she discovered an enjoyment in making jewelry. Over the years, Grace Ann Designs would expand to offer homemade necklaces, bracelets, earrings and eventually gifts.
“The opportunity to open Gigi’s fell into my lap,” said Pryor. “I applied for America’s Next Great Pop-Up, which is a part of the American Dream Project, and it was during that interview process that Gigi’s came to me.”
According to Pryor, her mother was a party planner which made her very interested in parties and their design. In the interview, she had to expand Grace Ann Design’s to support why it would be a great store and that is when she realized that Baldwin County did not have its own party store. Crafts and design like she was doing in her small business was similar to party stores. The two businesses were on the same spectrum of creativity and interest for her.
“I wanted Gigi’s to be a one-stop shop for parties and gifts. It evolved from the gift business of Grace Ann Designs,” said Pryor. “And the business was inspired by my mother who instilled the love for parties within me. That’s why we call it Gigi’s, as that’s what my kids call my mom.”
Gigi’s offers small and large event planning, along with do-it-yourself decor or decoration installation. The gifts side of the business is growing from Ann Grace Designs and will continue to sell jewelry amongst other gifts.
“We have the products for a range of parties from weddings to tailgates. We offer services that span from planning to the execution of the party,” said Pryor. “I work closely with the client to make their vision a reality and offer ideas whenever we hit a roadblock. It’s a very close-knit relationship between the client and creating a party that matches their aspirations.”
According to Pryor, her favorite part of the business overall is party design and seeing her client’s end reaction.
“It’s such a blessing to see their smiles and excitement when the design is done and we reveal it,” said Pryor. “I love every part of my job but nothing can beat genuine human emotion and the gratitude that comes from making someone happy.”
Gigi’s is currently located at 2400 North Columbia St in Milledgeville. According to Pryor, it’s the “total package” store for parties and gifts. It’s a unique business created by the love for a mother and a mother’s love for her children.
“In January, we will be moving to a new location, in which we will stay permanently. We will be near Chatter Boutique,” said Pryor. “And I hope in the future to open a small event space.”
Pryor’s new-year goal will be to work on a small event space. Currently, Gigi’s hosts several events which she hopes to expand and find a space for.
“We do a range of events from kids to adults. It’s always been something of interest to me and I am always receiving feedback on what classes we can do. I thoroughly enjoy our events and that is why I hope to expand them just like my business has over the years,” said Pryor.
Gigi’s is open from Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Their next events will be a Girls’ Night Out on Tuesday, Dec. at 5 p.m. and a Mommy & Me class on jewelry and ornaments on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. The link to sign up for these events can be found under their Facebook event descriptions.
“We encourage everyone to visit our store and get involved with our events,” said Pryor. “I work to bring all of you a big smile. That’s what it’s truly about.”