Waterfront Living 2024 - 31

worthy causes such as ocean conservation, musicians,
homelessness, LGBTQIA+ groups, animals and more.
" I think in general, people who come into Oropa want
to support socially conscious products and companies, "
Meiggs said. " They want to choose products that align
with their morals and their values, which is great. "
She also focuses on finding products from local artists
that align with her mission.
" I love supporting the local community and the talented
people, " Meiggs said.
She looks to get Oropa involved in local festivals, sports
teams and events as well to give back to the community.
" All small businesses - not just Oropa - are a big part of
donating to the local organizations in town, " Meiggs said.
Most of her customers are people who are proud to live
in Duxbury or are visiting their hometown and want to
bring something back with them. She likes to help them
find what they are looking for and, a lot of times, they
leave with a gift for themselves, too, she said.
Oropa sells a lot of custom items - think mugs,
candles, apparel, stationery and jewelry - for Duxbury
and other towns on the South Shore. Now that people
are getting out again post-pandemic, customers are also
looking to buy gifts for party hosts, teachers and others.
" They're willing to spend the money on the handmade,
high-quality products that you just can't get anywhere
else, " she said.
Rustic Marlin - one of the store's top-selling brands -
is a local company about 15 minutes from Oropa. She said
Oropa has sold their products since the shop first opened.
During COVID, Rustic Marlin started a " Signs of Hope "
campaign during the pandemic and created kiosks to sell
signs that people hung up around the South Shore in the
shape of hearts or that read " hope. "
" It was a way to raise money for local businesses and
keep us in business during the time when people couldn't
go into our store, " Meiggs said. " It was pretty incredible. "
Other local products are provided by Duxbury Candle
Company, Saltery and Green Koala. One of her favorite
products is Sea Bags of Maine, which are bags made of
recycled sail cloth.
" It helps the ocean because it's recycled sails, and
we're a beach community - so it's a perfect fit, "
she said.
Meiggs' favorites also include Natalie Therese's cork
handbags and wallets, Pura Vida and Dune Jewelry,
which she uses in her everyday life.
" That was something someone told me when I opened
the store: 'Buy what you love, and you can never go
wrong,' " she said.
Meiggs is also part-owner of Kedamé, a gift box
company located in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, that was
created last year. Meiggs and two friends created the
company after discussing the lack of local companies
in Cape Cod, especially among gift box companies.
Although Kedamé mainly does corporate gifting to boost
Cape Cod's economy year-round, the products are also
sold at Oropa.
" It was the perfect add-on to Oropa, " Meiggs said.
Over her eight years in business, the shop has grown to
offer more unique products.
As the winner of the Best Gift Shop on the South Shore
twice - most recently in 2023 - Meiggs said she sees
Oropa continuing on its current path with its staple
products, while also keeping up with the trends.
" You don't want to get stale, " she said. " You want your
customers to come in and be like, 'Wow.' "
She plans to keep the shop at its current size in order
to provide a higher level of customer service. Meiggs also
wants to keep the personal feel of Oropa, with its staff
made up of friends and family.
" I'm also very grateful for my customers, who keep
coming back and entrusting us to have what they need,
even if they didn't know they needed it, " she said.
GIFTSHOPMAG.COM 31
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Waterfront Living 2024

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