Lauralee Gifts: A distinct Cary boutique with local products

This birthday celebration was important. It had been a very long time since we were together for a birthday.

After getting the essentials - cake mix and champagne - I remembered that I needed to get my sister a gift. I wanted a gift that reflected my sister’s summer in Raleigh with me. As usual, I waited until the last minute and forgot to order something on Etsy.

So when I saw a small shop nearby, I prepared myself for the usual boring gift shop offerings - monogrammed everything and Lily Pulitzer prints galore.

Stacy Thompson, the owner, gained experience selling jewelry online but had always wanted to be a small business owner and knew a local gift shop was the way to go!

While jewelry and handbags are Thompson’s best sellers, what sets her store apart is her love of locally-made goods and handmade items! (Their “Buck Naked Farm” products are a MUST TRY.)

Building on Thompson’s past success as an online retailer, Lauralee Gifts has a strong online presence. The entire store is ONLINE, which is typically unheard of in the boutique business.

The store name, named after Thompson's children, is just as precious as the contents that are inside. Her daughter’s name is Laura, and her son’s middle name is Lee.

I found the perfect bracelet with an NC charm, and my sister loved it!

Officially claiming “Lauralee Gifts” as my go-to gift shop.