museums&MORE Winter 2015

Teresa Dunlap

Gift Shop Supervisor Teresa Dunlap
Hubbard Museum of the American West
Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico

What makes your store unique?

We are a tourist town, so I look for unique items that you won’t find anywhere else in town as well as crafts made by local artisans. I am fortunate to have a few pieces of antique furniture from our collection that work perfectly for displaying merchandise and give the gift shop a little of that old west feeling.

What is your retail background?

I have worked in the public eye since I was 16 years old, when I started my first job at a fast food restaurant. When I was in high school, I worked for my Grandma in her dress shop. For nine years I worked for the food service department at a small school district and then at a casino for four years. After working for five years at a major retail store, I applied for my current position and I’ve been here five years. I love it.

What is the most popular product in your store?

I would have to say our most popular product right now is our Hand Blown Glass paperweights and LED multi-colored display lights to display them on.

What are your top three retail tips?

I like to use colored lights and signs as much as possible. I try not to clutter my displays up with too much product, especially breakable things. Mothers won’t take their kids around things that break too often, and that can hurt your sales. I have learned a lot just by listening to the comments my customers say to one another, so I pay attention to that.