Customers Always Come First at Past & Present Home Gallery!

Turning a visit to our store into a fun shopping experience is our top priority…

In the year 2020, Past & Present Home Gallery was honored to receive the Retail Champion award in ‘Customer Experience’ during the Minnesota Retailers Association (MnRA) 4th annual Retail Rally. This award was one of ten different categories which were presented virtually in ­­­October due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drawing in a total of 58 nominations—11 of these competing against Past & Present for the coveted Customer Experience Award—a panel of judges narrowed down the applications from businesses across Minnesota before announcing the winners.

With the 2021 Retail Rally fast approaching, we wanted to look back at this great honor and what it takes to achieve a unique experience that is worth remembering for each and every one of our customers. It’s thanks to YOU that we won this prestigious award!  

What Does it Mean to be a ‘Customer Experience Champion’?

Creating a one-of-a-kind experience when entering our store starts with a fresh and fun environment. One of our passions is keeping everything clean, organized, and visible so one doesn’t have to search through unnecessary items before finding their treasure. Maneuvering items and staging them to fit with holidays and other days of the calendar year gives you the perfect chance to find new things each time you visit. Who knows what you’ll find with each new season!

Besides the meticulous set-up of our multi-level antique store, ensuring that you are greeted and helped in any capacity is our number one priority. Whether you walk out with something or not (though we certainly hope you do!) our goal is to make you feel right at home from the moment you come into our doors. It is with great care that we try to connect with customers and exceed expectations on what it means to have a great experience in our store.

Said Bruce Nustad, president of Minnesota Retailers Association, when presenting us with the ‘Customer Experience’ award: “This is the place to visit if you want to see what a Minnesota store with heart feels like.”

A Vibrant Local Economy is Crucial

Aside from running Past & Present Home Gallery, another one of our drives is focusing time and attention to the overall success of the Alexandria Lakes Area. Participating in the retail community through events, initiatives, and programs to bring people into the area benefits everyone.

By putting the emphasis on helping other businesses in the area and Alexandria as a whole, we believe that our time and energy pays off in immeasurable ways that benefit more than just our business alone—it benefits our entire community.

In other words: We’re one for all, and all for one! 

A Reminder of How Retail Has Changed

Of course, we couldn’t post a blog without a throwback to the days of yore. What do you expect from the Antique Store With Character?

This particular antique 1915 cash drawer model, currently for sale at Past & Present, is a prime example of the first registers to be sold on the market.

This rudimentary cash register required employees to write individual sales on a ledger. This allowed for better accuracy of transactions for both employers and their customers. Once sales were written on the provided receipt paper, employees pulled the lever which in turn opened the drawer and sounded a bell to alert managers that a sale had been made.

Although newer versions of cash registers made of ornate brass were already on sale by 1915, this model features hints of the ornate detailing that many associate with old registers of the time. The original ledger paper which threads through the top of the drawer includes spaces for information like dates of sale, description of items being purchased, and prices to be tallied for a grand total. Manual registration of sales was common among early registers before mechanical adding elements were used in more expensive models.

Continuing to Create Your Ideal Experience

Whether you’re looking for something old, something new, or something crafted just for you, Past & Present Home Gallery strives to offer you a wide variety of options that are guaranteed to spark joy. As we continue into 2021 and beyond, we look forward to providing you with a customer experience that exceeds expectations and keeps you coming back to visit us time and time again. Stop by and visit us!