New gift shop opens in Kasson

Smiling Moose Coffee & Gifts opened the retail side of its business Friday, May 7, at 408 West Main Street. The coffee shop, with a two-window drive-through outside and a walk-up window inside in case the drive-through line is too long, will be opening soon.
“We need this in town,” said Margie Blood, a Kasson resident who was found shopping at the Smiling Moose on its opening day. “It’s just great to see a new store.”
“It will be a big draw,” said Nancy Nord, also of Kasson. “They have lots of nice gifts. This way we don’t have to run to Rochester to buy presents.”
That was exactly the reaction Kim White, owner, was hoping to receive upon opening Smiling Moose. Her inspiration for the gift shop comes from owning and operating a similar store in Alaska years ago.
Moving to the Kasson area, she decided the town needed more retail on Main Street.
“I noticed that Kasson did not have many options for retail or coffee shops,” Kim said. “I found the building for sale, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to utilize the existing drive-through window for the coffee shop and bring my gift store experience on board to provide more services to the Kasson community.”
Kim said they will partner with Trail Creek Coffee Roasters in Kasson and Fiddlehead Coffee Roasters in Rochester to source the coffee, and Rochester’s Mandala Tea company for the teas. 
Included on the coffee shop menu will be espresso drinks, hot and cold-brewed coffee and teas, baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, soups, desserts, and hand-dipped Bridgeman’s ice cream. Smiling Moose Gifts will also have grab-and-go items, snacks, beverages, and candies.
The gift store will offer unique gift items for all ages, from baby to adult. Smiling Moose Gifts will also stock home décor, Kasson-Mantorville sports apparel, and accessories, women’s apparel, accessories, and jewelry.
Gnomes, dried flowers, candles, doormats with whimsical sayings such as “Beware: dog can’t hold its licker,” and “Peace, love and muddy paws” are other clever items found on the Smiling Moose’s retail side. Gift cards, tea sets, coasters are more. “If drinking on the front porch counts then, yes, call me outdoorsy,” one set said. Another featuring a picture of two dogs in a bathtub said “Did you just fart?!”
Card games, oil diffusers, word art, pens, mugs are among the merchandise.
“I’m on maternity leave and I like to spend money when I’m off work,” said Kaeley Smith, another Smiling Moose shopper found at the store on Friday. “I’ve been looking forward to this place. I’ve been excited to see something new come to town and bring life to our Main Street.”
Smith was buying baby books, jewelry, and candles for her mother and mother-in-law. “I’m a last-minute shopper so it’s perfect to have this right down the street.”
Cutting boards, recipe books, measuring spoons and dish towels take up residence in a kitchen-area corner of the store. Dish towels feature such cutesy sayings as “OK, the school is closed. So, do we just drop the kids off at the teacher’s house or what?” and “They should put more wine in a bottle, so there’s enough for two people.”
 
Napkins, bottle openers, pillows, and wall hangings are also featured. Wood boxes, gloves, fake plants, lipstick, detangler, satin pillowcase, face masks, and donut bath bombs are for sale at Smiling Moose as well.
Soap, clothes, purses, leggings, scarves, shoes, and 3D wooden puzzles are for sale, along with stuffed animals. Socks, hats, notebooks, PJs, and leather wallets are here too.
Smiling Moose’s hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. while the retail side only is open. Once the coffee shop opens in a few weeks, the hours will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eight employees help operate the store.