It’s a boast offered by several Clarkston businesses, but Union General has a unique claim on the term “unique,” and customers appear to agree.
“Business has been good,” owner Ann Stevenson said. “The weekends have been really busy.”
The Main Street shop has been open six years, and there is a growing list of regular customers.
“People have been really loyal to us,” Stevenson said, noting both the items offered for sale and the interaction between merchant and visitor. “I think it’s important to maintain the relationship with the customer.”
Stevenson believes that is so important that she still works two days a week, even with a child at home and another on the way. Her sales staff shares that philosophy, working for an atmosphere she describes as “very homey, very comfortable, no pressure.”
A key to the store’s success is recognizing a diverse clientele, yet striving to be different from traditional retail stores.
“We’d like to be the antithesis of that,” Stevenson said. “We want to accommodate all those people, yet give them something they’re not going to find at the mall.”
While the store works for that special image year-round, the Christmas merchandise is especially diverse.
“We have a lot of stocking stuffers that are unique,” Stevenson said, noting a Swedish soap with the inscription, “Either be good or be nice.”
Those in the market for Christmas music will find recordings from Canadian singer Michael Buble (who Stevenson said is becoming increasingly popular) and “other holiday music people can’t find other places.”
Stevenson finds the merchandise in her travels and is willing to go looking for things people want.
“It’s important to listen to what people want,” she said, and she even asks herself, “What would I want?”
Customer loyalty has also grown to the point where people will call ahead of time and ask for certain items to be available for pickup. While holiday business hours are extended, even that’s not a big deal because, “I’ve been known to stay open later” if a customer has a special need.
Union General is located at 50 S. Main St. in downtown Clarkston. Holiday hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Telephone is (248) 620-3800.