Meet Stacey Winder | Gift store owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stacey Winder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stacey, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Our store’s name is Amy Lane, and we are located on The Strand in Galveston. Originally from Houston, we were transferred to the north Texas area for my husband’s job. We lived in a picturesque setting on a few acres in the country on a street named Amy Lane. There was fruit growing on the property, and not wanting the food to go to waste, I learned to make jam. I was a city girl, and was so excited to get back to basics by something as old-fashioned and simple as canning. I have always loved cooking, so it was a natural and fun thing to do. That was the beginning of Amy Lane Jams. More importantly, it was a wonderful time for praying. Making jam can be tedious. Peeling, chopping, stirring, ladling. So while I was jamming, I was praying. The jam was literally prayed with love.
I sold my jam at festivals for a couple years, got a table in a bakery, and then had the opportunity to purchase an existing gift store, and bring Amy Lane Jams in as a product line in that store, The Front Porch in Terrell, Texas. It had been my favorite gift shop, was the jewel of the small town, and was an answered prayer to be able to operate it.

The thing was….we missed our family and friends. We missed the Gulf Coast. The job that had brought us there was gone, and we decided to go home. God flung the doors wide open for us to get a prime retail location in our favorite beach town. We are so happy to be a Christian gift shop, and pray our store can be a light.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am 54 years old, and finally feel like I am living my dream! When I was a little girl, I used to go with my grandmother and help at the church bookstore. I always had fun during those summers. A seed was planted.

Most of my adult years were spent in office jobs and raising children. The way I had made money was never very rewarding, and I always felt like there was something more. I loved to cook, had managed a household, and a dream was realized when I started making jam.

God took all of my dreams and desires of my heart by giving me a wonderful husband, two healthy children, a love for cooking and creativity to open our family business. He gave me these things so I can give Him all the glory. We have had many trials and hardships, and that makes us appreciate it all the more!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s Galveston, so obviously the beach is a must. It’s a unique town, full of history. It’s a small town, but because of the tourism there’s a ton of attractions, events, amazing food, cruises, and opportunities to shop! Mardi Gras, Dickens on The Strand, art walks, and more.

The Pleasure Pier, Moody Gardens, Schlitterbahn, Bishop’s Palace and Dolphin Tours are just the tip of the iceberg for fun things to do.

Some of our favorite restaurants include Miller’s, Gaido’s, Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar, and Sunflower Bakery.

Shopping on The Strand is a must! We’re thankful that ours is one of the stores on this ‘must see’ retail street.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
God first, always! Talana Morris, Terrell Chamber of Commerce
Kristy Dooley, Whisked Away Bake House
Stacey English, Rustic Spice
Tracy White, Beloved Beauty Salon
Beverly and Jerry Burr, The Front Porch

Website: AmylaneGalveston.com

Instagram: @amylanegalveston

Facebook: @amylanegveston