Fall 2020 - 59

L
ocated 40 miles south of Springfield, Missouri,
Big Cedar Lodge was created by Johnny Morris,
founder of Bass Pro Shops. It is situated in a
remote region that is surrounded by natural beauty and
offers a " rustic luxury tucked into the rugged landscape
of the Ozark Mountains. "
The resort overlooks the serene Table Rock Lake and
affords visitors a breathtaking view.
This establishment was created as " a destination for
families and friends to connect in the great outdoors. "
Big Cedar Lodge not only provides its guests with
a plethora of amenities, such as restaurants, marinas,
golf courses, a spa and more, it also offers ample retail
experiences on its property. Gift Shop interviewed Shada
Hillman, retail manager for Big Cedar Lodge to learn more
about its offerings and how the pandemic has impacted
operations for its stores.
GS: What are your product offerings?
SH: We specialize in handmade holiday décor and
gifts. We have Christmas ornaments, stockings and
pillows, children's pillows and toys and adorable Easter
items - even knit dresses.
GS: Tell us what makes shopping at Big Cedar Lodge so
unique and experiential to the guests?
SH: We do our best to find the finest, most unique
products. Our boutique clothing offers styles and fabrics
that you won't find in the department stores. Our
private label foods allow you to bring home the tastes of
Big Cedar and our selection of home décor and lamps are
unique and provide those special accents for your home
that make it special!
GS: Do you have any local customers in addition to the
resort clientele?
SH: Our local ladies love to make a day at Big Cedar
having lunch, enjoying the majestic views and shopping
in our unique stores. Each shop has products that are
exclusive to that one shop, which makes it the perfect
place to spend the whole afternoon shopping. Many
ladies also add shopping to their spa day in our Big Cedar
Spa for a truly special day of pampering.
GS: Do you offer online shopping as well?
SH: We do offer some of our most popular items in
our online store. We are also expanding our wedding
registry. And of course if you didn't pick up that special
item while you were staying on property and can't find
it online, you can give us a call and one of our gift shop
associates will find that item and have it sent to you.
GS: Describe your product mix in each store.
SH: Each store carries logo product that is specific
to that location as well as a good mix of product that
enhances the guest experience based on location. For
example, our retail store located at Top of the Rock,
Arnie's General Store, will carry product that ties into
our museum of Native American Heritage and modern
industrial decor that we use throughout Top of the Rock.
Tabletop and food offer a focal point in the holiday
displays that Big Cedar Lodge arranges in early October to
appeal to the busy season visitors.
The Shoppe carries men's and women's fashion, home
furnishings that are very similar to what our guests will
see in their rooms, and merchandise that reflects our
mission for environmental conservation. The marinas
offer surf inspired activewear.
The resort also has four pro shops - located at each
golf course - that offer golf accessories, golf attire and
logo merchandise specific to each course. Retail options
are also available at our Shooting Academy.
GS: Do you offer signature or custom products in
your stores?
SH: We have a wide variety of logo products: apparel,
mugs, barware, picture frames, bath products, wines and
foods. We have Christmas ornaments to remember your
stay, including a custom glass ornament from Old World
Christmas designed exclusively for Big Cedar Lodge. We
also sell prints on canvas, otherwise known as Giclee, of
award winning paintings from various artists that have
come to Big Cedar to paint our beautiful grounds.
GIFTSHOPMAG.COM 59
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Fall 2020

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