After years of working for others, a Rochester woman is launching her own gift shop … with a smile.
Sheila Staver, a long-time employee at Hunt's Drug & Gift, is opening her own store called A Shared Smile. She plans to open for business Monday near Saint Marys Hospitalin the Blondell Crown Square Motel and Malloff Second Street Southwest.
"It has long been a dream of mine to open my own store," says Staver. "I can be my own boss, determine what I want to carry and have some fun."
In fact, the whimsical name of A Shared Smile is an anagram of the phrase "Sheila's dream."
Expect a diverse array of items on the shelves at A Shared Smile.
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"I want to promote Minnesota products made locally and cater to visitors with last-minute toiletries," she says. "And I'll bring some unique and fun gifts."
The spot A Shared Smile will occupy was last occupied by Edna & Hazel'sgift shop.
Staver's husband, Randy Staver, is a Rochester City Council member.
Biz buzz
Hundreds crowded the remodeled lobby of Paragon Chateau 14Thursday night for an early peek at the northeast Rochester theater under its new ownership.
The VIP event marked the premiere of almost $2 million in renovations done by Florida-based Paragon Theaters.
The movie complex has been closed since the end of January, when CineMagic/ Midwest Theatresshut the doors. Paragon acquired the Chateau soon after.
Paragon's top executives Mike Whalen, Mike Wilson and Albert Santana, along with Chateau manager Mitch Stephensonshowed off the theater's new features, including the Sony 4K HD all-digital projection technology.
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The theater is officially open for business with an array of movies on the screens, including opening night showings of the new releases "Hop" and "Source Code."
To see photos, go to Kiger's Notebook blog.
