Today we’d like to introduce you to David Murray.
Hi David, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began in the Christmas business in 1976 in Wichita Falls, Texas so 49 years later I am still in the “glitter business”. I have had Christmas decor shops in Wichita Falls, Midland, Irving, Dallas and Plano and now in Gruene. My daughter and her family moved to New Braunfels 15 years ago and I was introduced to Gruene and knew I wanted to have a holiday shop there but finding a location took 7 years before a space opened and when it did I drove down and looked at it and said it was too small, too far off the street but if I don’t take it I don’t know when I will get a location. That was October 2018 and Red & Gruene was born. Now 7 years later nothing else has become available to lease and I now just say “Santa’s workshop is not easy to find and if your not on the GOOD list then it’s invisible”, so I only get people on the GOOD list in my shop.
We close each year the end of December and reopen Mid Feb. with the shop completely redone and the front will be Mardi Gra, then St. Patricks, Easter, Fiesta, etc. So the shop is constantly changing with each holiday or special occasion but Christmas decor is always in full display year round. Because my shop is small it is always packed with unusual items that you don’t see everywhere.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
By opening in Oct 2018 and just getting introduced to the tourist business in Gruene, Covid was brutal for all businesses especially a new one depending on visitors to Gruene. So for two years we struggled like everyone else in retail but probably the biggest struggle was working a small retail space but it has forced me to be more selective in looking for holiday merchandise that is unique and my customers seem to appreciate that
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I grew up in a retail family, my grand parents and parents operated a retail business in a small north Texas town that sold everything from veterinary supplies to appliances and was taught that customer service was the most important aspect for retailers and this is the way I operate my shop today. Carry a good product at a fair price and treat the customers right and you will enjoy what your doing and the customers will enjoy their shopping experience as well. A Holiday shop is certainly different than the retail operations I grew up in but the concept is the same. At Red & Gruene we always carry Texas and western themed ornaments, lots of unique Nutcrackers with styles ranging from traditional to Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. and each fall do a huge assortment of the glitter water globes. Last year we featured 63 different globes and already have customers asking when the water globes will be out. plus you will always be able to find that unique ornament that perfectly fits the person your shopping for.
How do you think about luck?
Anyone that has been in business for themselves has experienced instances that we blame on luck both good and bad. What we learn is that we have to make the most of good luck what ever it might be and learn from our bad luck and keep it from happening again. In other words we are most likely the creators of our luck both good or bad.
Pricing:
- Keep it fair and that the price reflects the quality of the item
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.redandgruene.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redandgruene
