From left: Janet Widmer, Matt Widmer and Kim Kubala of Creative Touch and Candy Corner said they credit the family’s unique sensibilities to the store’s success and longevity.[/caption]In the past three decades, Creative Touch in Hutto has been able to expand along with the city's growth because of a focus on customer service and a constant updating of an inventory of specialty items that appeal to its wide-ranging group of customers, owners Janet and Matt Widmer said.
Founded in 1981 by Janet, Creative Touch began as an interior decorating business that offered a few specialty items to grab customers attention. In 1992, Widmer opened a storefront on the corner of East Street and Hwy. 79 in Hutto's historic district to include a gift shop. The store expanded again in 2009 when her son Matt became the business manager and co-owner.
Creative Touch expanded a third time in 2011 when the family purchased the space next to their shop and opened Candy Corner, which sells a variety of packaged and bulk candy.
"Things have changed over the years, changed with the times," Janet said. "When the economy went down, we went to [selling] more and more gifts. And its amazing what that little candy room did to bring customers into the store."
The shop now has more than 1,800 square feet of space in which it offers a variety of gifts, including jewelry, seasonal decorations, specialty food items, toys, children's gifts and clothes, cookware and home decor.
Kim Kubala, Janet's daughter and Creative Touch's longtime senior manager and buyer, said the store's merchandise changes regularly even as Creative Touch sticks with lines that have been constant sellers through the shop's 23 years in business.
"Customer service is at the forefront of all we do here," Kubala said. "We have many regular patrons that come in to see what we have thats new, so we make sure we have an updated selection of high-quality items available."
Matt said the inventory at Creative Touch is different from what can be found in big-box stores, as the family is always on the hunt for specialty items that appeal to its customers.
"As we added more gifts and a better selection, our customer base has broadened," Matt said. "We have established long-term relationships with many of the people who shop here. We think about our demographics. That's one of the reasons we have been successful."
Janet said the family also goes a long way in helping Creative Touch stand out in a crowd.
"We all enjoy what we are doing—we don't look at this as work," she said. "I think that is reflected in the attitude of the shop and the experience our customers get when they visit us."
