The nationally award winning boutique, Duck Duck Goose, has been a part of the Gwinnett community for more than 30 years and has thrived by continuously evolving within the community and tending to its needs.
The 3600 square foot women’s specialty boutique and home decor store has a quaint and humble beginning. Owner Donna Simmons never intended to go into the business world. But when her florals and jewelry items continuously received great reviews at juried craft shows, she knew it was time to make a move.
Friends and family raved about Simmons jewelry, and before she knew it, she was thinking of opening a store. She already had a few of her own paintings, designs, and floral arrangements. All she needed was a name.
“My son named the store,” Simmons says. “It was his favorite game in preschool, and I wanted him to feel involved because I hadn’t worked since he was born. It was going to be a big change for the whole family. I wanted him to feel special. And thus, Duck Duck Goose was born.”
Duck Duck Goose has done tremendously well with keeping up with what’s in. In the 80s and through the mid 90s, they specialized in gift items and collectables. In the 2000s, they specialized in home accents and wall decor, including a Thomas Kincade Gallery in one side of their store. Today, the boutique is primarily a women’s fashion and gifts boutique carrying over 200 brands like Brighton, Alex and Ani, Steven, Spartina 449, Clara SunWoo, Umgee, Corkcicle, Mud Pie and Lilly Pulitzer. About 40% of the store remains home accents and gifts.
“We’ve evolved a whole lot over the years,” Simmons says. “I really listen to my customers and try to meet their needs and wants whether it is decorating or fashion advise. Customers do not want to see the same offerings in my store that you see at the mall. I want to stand out from all the others with unique merchandise and superior customer service! We are always ahead of the game changing our products mix and inventory to really stand out. We want the store to look fresh and new season to season.”
One of the things that makes Duck Duck Goose different is their annual pop-up Christmas store. Located right next to the original store, the 1800 square foot Christmas store stocks all the holiday favorites like gourmet foods, ornaments, tabletop, stocking suffers and 8 to 10 fully decorated themed Christmas trees. Every fall they host a Christmas open house with extended hours and refreshments for the community to come in & enjoy. Also the Saturday before Mother’s Day each year, there is a huge Mother’s Day Event. Some of Donna’s sales reps get involved and come to her event where they offer raffles, giveaways, special promotions, and refreshments. It’s one of our most successful days of the year. We host trunk shows, lady’s and men’s night out events as well.
In essence, that’s what’s kept Duck Duck Goose around for so long. It keeps it commitment to the community and its evolution of serving every customer’s needs. Social Media includes Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. In fact Simmons refers to her boutique as the Three Times Around store because it takes at least three times around to see everything!
“We strive to be a part of the community,” Simmons says. “We always like to work with local schools and churches. Anything we can do to help. We have sponsored teams for the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk, made gift baskets for local charities, held canned food drives, participated in Soles for Souls shoe donations and warm coats & gently used handbags donations.”
“We’re a family run business, and we want people to know we’re here for them and whatever they may need,” Simmons says. “When they come into our store, they’ll be greeted by name, or if they are new, well get their name, and we’ll make sure to find whatever it is they’re looking for – even if we don’t carry it.”
So, if you’re looking for women’s fashion, a unique gift or home accents, stop by the award winning Duck Duck Goose Boutique. We promise you wont be disappointed!
