Iowa City Downtown District helping shoppers find gifts ahead of Valentine’s Day

IOWA CITY — With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, the Iowa City Downtown District has shopping appointments available to help customers find the best gifts for their loved ones.

Anyone wanting a little help finding the perfect gift is encouraged to book an appointment online through the downtown district’s website. Appointments are available now through Feb. 6.

The personal concierge shopping program was first introduced during the holiday shopping season last year.

It is designed for anyone who wants the help of a personal shopper to find the best gift for someone in their life from Iowa City’s locally owned shops. The personal shopper does the searching, shopping and delivery.

“The whole idea with all of our retail programs or services that we do is just to make it as easy as possible to shop downtown and to shop local,” said Betsy Potter, the downtown district’s director of creative services.

Potter said the program got really positive feedback over the holiday season.

”All of the customers that registered for shopping appointments found gifts that fit their needs and were grateful for the offering,“ Potter said.

Potter said the process is easy and something to try as people are looking for Valentine’s Day gifts for friends, significant others or family.

The program is intended to work with any gift budget, list or needs. There is no obligation to buy the suggested gifts.

After registering for an appointment, customers submit who they are shopping for, a budget and suggestions on what they’re looking for.

The downtown district’s personal shopper Frankie Schneckloth then goes through downtown and sends suggestions of various ideas and products back to the customer.

“She does take her time to look at everything and from a really great eye try to get something that will fit every budget,” Potter said about Schneckloth.

If a customer has specific stores in mind, Schneckloth will visit those first.

The customer can decide if the gifts are a good fit and which gifts should be purchased. The item is then delivered or shipped. There is free delivery in the Iowa City, North Liberty, Coralville, Tiffin and West Branch areas.

Potter said the shopping appointments will be offered again for Mother’s Day in May, and potentially other times of the year as well when there is demand.

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