Zora's Select Gifts - Leander

Zora's Select Gifts - Leander

Written by Cathy Kincaid Friday, 07 April 2006

Avid shopper restores old house into gift shop

According to frequent customer Jona McFarland, there is no better place to shop than Zora’s Select Gifts. She loves the assortment of merchandise and the friendly help.

Originally a little house built in the ’40s and added onto in the ’50s, it is filled with an assortment of home décor, jewelry, Tyler candles and Zora’s own brand of candles. In the old kitchen, items such as pie candles and pot holders create a down-home feel and on the walls and bookshelves, Western knick knacks and wall accessories add to the ambiance of the small shop.

“I have been shopping at Zora’s for two years for gifts for my family and friends,” McFarland said. “There is a greater selection here than in Austin or Georgetown; and if it’s not here, they will get it for you.”

Zora’s owner, Patsy Parker, readily admits to a true love for shopping, and this love led her to opening her own shop three years ago after her two children were grown. While working with her husband, E.J., in their business, Zora’s Enterprises, she decided it would be fun to have a few items to sell in the Enterprises office.

“I talked my sister and daughter into helping,” Parker said. “Then I went to market, and I bought so much, we had to open the little office behind our warehouse for all the gift items I brought back.”

Even though located off the main US 183, people heard of her merchandise. They began coming in, Parker says, because there was no where else in Leander selling the items she carried. She and her husband began looking for some place along US 183 to relocate the store, but there weren’t any places available.

“One day, however,” Parker said, “my husband saw the ‘for sale’ sign going up on this house being sold by the owner’s heir.”

Her husband stopped and bought it immediately.

“My business has blossomed,” Parker said. “It has tripled since we moved here in November, 2004.”

Parker thinks it will probably continue to grow, too, since Leander is growing so much in the shop’s area. A new HEB, an office center across from it and the commuter rail will all be just north of her shop at Hwy 2243 and US 183.

“Leander needed shops like mine,” Parker said. “People don’t want to fight traffic to shop in Austin or even Cedar Park.”

Her regular customers, such as the teachers and school administrators from nearby schools, seem to agree with McFarland who said that she doesn’t need to go into Austin to get good prices and great merchandise.

“Zora’s has the best prices there are on any item you find,” McFarland said. “This place is excellent!”

What’s Inside

• Circle E Candles
• Tyler Candles
• Crabtree & Evelyn
• The “Country” Club Handmade Soaps
• Collegiate gifts (UT/A&M/TT)
• Kenneth Wyatt - framed TX art
• AHAVA Skincare
• Janice Redford (artist) - Women of Spirit & Redford Crosses
• Fake Bake Tanning lotion
• American West handbags
• Rhinestone Roxy flipflops
• Wrist Wrappers wristwatches
• Rhythm magic motion clocks
• Willow Tree
• Alexa’s Angels jewelry
• Jewelry John Silver Bells

Zora's Select Gifts, 301 US 183 S, Leander, 78641

259-9899