Hillcrest Gift Shop The Full Moon Under New Ownership

An iconic Little Rock gift shop, The Full Moon, 3625 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, has a new owner, Casey Finch, who is eager to use her retail resume to further grow the already booming boutique. 

Finch brings The Full Moon not only a new face with years of experience working for luxury specialty retail giants Neiman Marcus and Harold’s already under her belt, but in the process is fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning the store that she has had a professional connection with for more than 20 years.

“She could have taken her experience with two of the world’s most famous retail brands, Neiman Marcus and Harold’s, and gone anywhere, but she instead chose to return to Little Rock and help make our small business community even stronger,” said Melissa Morgan, PR advisor for The Full Moon.

Approaching its 30th anniversary this fall, The Full Moon has long been known as a successful specialty retail store located in Hillcrest where customers flock to seek out coveted items such as Vietri dinnerware, James Hayes Art glass and Juliska dinnerware.  At approximately 6,200 square-feet of prime retail space, the store often boasts waiting lists for lines such as McCarty Pottery.

It’s amazing to see a small local business continue to increase merchandise and retail space, despite the downturns in the economy.

“Just as important is that The Full Moon is a small business, surviving at all odds for 30 years, and unlike so many other businesses who have struggled especially during this latest recession and ultimately their doors, they’ve instead expanded three times over in the same Hillcrest location,” Morgan said.

In her new role, Finch hopes to use her vast retail experience to make the store even more convenient than before.

“She realizes buyers today expect and demand an extremely convenient, turnkey approach to shopping,” Morgan said. “They will see more online and social media tools never before fully utilized by the store.  This will be the most immediate change and highest impact customers can expect.  The store will therefore have the opportunity to reach customers much farther than they have in previous years.”

In addition to the expanded customer-buying experience and enhanced social media presence, they’re looking to offer even more lines for customers.

“The Full Moon will bring exciting new lines to the store that will ensure our customers continue to receive unique gifts and home decor that you can’t find anywhere else,” Finch said.

Her introduction into the working world began within the walls of this charming retail space at age 15, and for Finch it was an immediate and long lasting. She continued working afternoons and weekends through the remainder of her teenage years and returned during the summers and breaks in college.  

Upon her return to Little Rock in 2010 after her stints as a sales manager at Neiman Marcus in St. Louis and general manager at Harold’s, she again began working for The Full Moon, armed with experience and knowledge having worked for some high-end retailers. 

Many Little Rock natives know her by her maiden name, Sparkman, and were thrilled to see the familiar face in the store once again.  She approached owners Becky Campbell and Linda Balch in the spring of 2013 with the idea of purchasing the store she had so long adored, and it was a perfect fit for all.

“I think the dedicated customers of The Full Moon will all be beyond thrilled to know the familiar, friendly face they’ve seen in the store for over 20 years will be bringing them even more reasons to get excited about the store for the future,” Morgan said.

Stay up-to-date with store happenings, sales and updates here.

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