Concierge

Welcoming a new arrival to the islands or saying bon voyage, at least until the snow flies up north? Custom-designed gift baskets are a popular and memorable way to do just that. Around the country, they are often chosen for birthday, wedding, and anniversary gifts, but they are big business on the barrier islands of Southwest Florida. Realtors and rental agents, in particular, use them for customers.

Fortunately, the islands have a wide variety of shops to meet the demand for gift baskets. Island groceries and flower shops especially stay busy designing and delivering them.

"Everybody in the produce department at Bailey's makes them," says assistant produce manager Barry Wells. "We have $15 basic ones with what's in season-say, apples, citrus, bananas, grapes. Then the price goes up if champagne or cheese is added." Wells explains that Realtors order the baskets year-round, to put in condos for people as a welcome back gift. "Or we'll get calls from New York that someone's kids are coming down and they want to have it waiting for them." Periwinkle Way and Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 941/472-1516.

Buzz Caron, assistant produce manager of Jerry's, says, "It seems like every weekend during season we do three or four gift baskets for rental agents. Lots of people call long-distance to order baskets as thank-yous or wedding gifts." Jerry's delivers on Sanibel and Captiva. 1700 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-9300.

Across from Jerry's is the aptly named Periwinkle Florist and Gift Baskets. The shop is known for its "romantic basket," which includes champagne, strawberries, and chocolate body paint, says manager Darcy Purnell. Breakfast baskets include pastries, and the shop also prepares a barbecue basket, as well as baskets filled with key-lime products. 1719 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-3125.

Floral Artistry of Sanibel makes custom gift baskets all year. It likes to include flowers in fruit or wine baskets. 2400 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel, 941/3040 or 800/449-1282.

"It's a typical thing to do for condo owners, so we have year-round, steady orders," explains Mike McClure, who, with his wife, Nancy, owns Flower Shop of the Islands. "The gift basket says, 'Enjoy your vacation.' It's also pretty common as a business gift." The McClures dress up their baskets with flowers. Their orders run the gamut, he says. "Some health nuts just want fruit. Other people order a basket full of candy bars, cheese, and salami." 2449 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/3707 or 941/472-6225 or 800/933-3646. Weeds and Things proprietor and designer Wayne Besson says gift baskets "are a nice alternative to someone not partial to flowers or plants." So, as an adjunct to his main business, he creates baskets for people wanting gourmet food, wine and champagne, or snacks. 2330 Palm Ridge Plaza, 941/472-2112.

Jessie Raynor, owner of Captiva Cottage at Paradise Village Shops on Captiva, has many clients from South Seas Plantation or Sunset Captiva who order custom baskets. "I'm obviously busier in season, but requests come in all the time. You name it when it comes to themes." Raynor often combines chocolate with other gifts and fresh flowers; she also creates cigar or liqueur baskets. 11508 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 941/395-0354.

At Chadwick's Square, CW's Market and Deli does a steady business in custom gift baskets. Requests include wine or fruit with cheese. Other popular basket items are coffee and chocolates. CW's makes deliveries on Captiva. Chadwick's Square, Captiva, 941/472-5111.

The Sanibel Wine and Coffee Co. has sold custom baskets for as little as $20 and as much as $600. "That $600 one was for a wedding and included several expensive wines and a wine stopper with a 23-karat gold shell," says owner Ken Boyce. "It all depends on the budget. People will order a basket for friends vacationing here, wanting wine, biscuits, coffee." Boyce's baskets always feature a lollipop with the shop's logo designed in the candy. 2003 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-1144.

Cheese Nook owner Steve Corbin's baskets include many of his shop's big selection of cheese, crackers, and wine. Customers often choose such Florida products as jellies, candies, and seasonings. For parties, he makes "festive-type baskets" with cheese and other snack foods. 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-2666.

Sanibel Perfume is a big seller in many of the baskets made by Forest of Flowers Christmas Shoppe, according to employee Jerry Olson. The shop's gift baskets are usually for local giving, he adds. Other popular requests are collectibles and, of course, ornaments. 1622 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-0755 or 800/264-0711.

"I custom-make gift baskets year-round," says Kassia Strauss, owner of The Secret Garden. "They always include candles, potpourri, a silk flower, Times of the Islands magazine, fruit. Some are 'themed,' such as golf or tennis or another hobby." She is often asked to design welcome baskets or a basket for a special dinner, which might feature party favors based on a theme. 2340 Periwinkle Way, #B-2, Sanibel, 941/395-0600.

Arundel's creates gift baskets using its wares. "Sometimes, baskets include a camera, cards, funny napkins, or trinket stuff," explains Chris Arundel. "Many orders come in around October and November when people are coming back, and April and May when people are leaving." 1626 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-0434 or 941/472-0430.

In Ft. Myers, Creative Baskets has been in business nearly a decade, "taking custom orders for gift baskets for any occasion, from birth to bereavement," explains Ginger Newmeyer. The shop always keeps one or two of each kind of its baskets on hand, for customers who pop in and need something right away. A big seller is the "gourmet goodies basket," which includes nuts, pretzels, cookies, biscotti, and crackers. "You can't go wrong with that," Newmeyer adds, "as it's a great one to give when you don't know what to give." Pewett Shopping Center, 9290-1 College Parkway, Ft. Myers, 941/433-4434. -LG