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A shop wall featuring a variety of unique custom items that Custom Etching & Gifts has to offer here in Grants. The shop is located at 200 W. Santa Fe, Suite D. Kylie Garcia - CC
GRANTS, N.M. - Closures of Tri-State Escalante Generating Station and Marathon Refinery in McKinley County have left the Cibola County area in need of new businesses and jobs more than ever. Instead of sitting back, Pete and Annmarie Perez, Grants residents for more than 40 years, decided to act. They started a business that was very dear to their hearts. Pete had been doing sand etchings for more than 10 years and often made different items for members of his extended family. The Perez’ loved the reactions and emotions they received when giving unique gifts to people, so the passion for gift-making grew from that point and so did their business.
Pete retired from the State of New Mexico two and a half years ago and began working for the Grants/Cibola County School District. The etching and gift making mainly served as a special hobby, but people thoroughly enjoyed the work, especially when the Perez’ participated in the Future Foundations Family Center Craft Show every year. With the pandemic keeping students away from school and canceling events like the craft show, Pete decided he wanted to dedicate himself fully to his passion of etching and gift making. With his wife’s support, they were able to set their official business plan into motion.
They opened their store on October 3, and according to Pete, business is going well because of all of the amazing customers he had prior to the opening that now have an official place of business to utilize for all of their etching and special gift needs. Just some of the different products that the store offers are acrylic cups, handmade cards, home decor, glass etching items, scented candles, soaps, various kinds of retail items, religious and holidaythemed shirts and items, and custom orders. According to Pete, some of their most popular items sold so far are the acrylic candy cups, and An-nmarie’s homemade cards and journal sets.
“The best part is all of our items are very reasonably priced,” said Pete.
One of the Perez’ main hopes for the store and its role in the community is longevity.
“I want to make sure we are here for the tourist as well as [members of] our community. Grants took a big hit when we lost the Hallmark store. Also, Grants has never had a store like ours. If you have ever been into a little shop in downtown Santa Fe or cities as such, you will see [that] our shop gives you that comfy, warm, happy place to shop ....We want to ensure we have quality gifts that count for every occasion. The items that can be handed down from generation to generation,” explained Pete.
He credits the support of his wife, Annmarie, son, Adrian, and daughter, Elena, for making it this far, and he hopes that the community will help propel the business even more and “shop local”.
Custom Etching & Gifts’ hours are Noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The shop is located at 200 W. Santa Fe Ave., Suite D, Grants.