September 17, 2020
Shop stories: Explore Ruby’s Gifts in Elsternwick Village
An emporium of beautiful trinkets, pampering products and elegant homewares sums up Ruby’s Gifts in Elsternwick Village.
Store owner Nadine Levitan is passionate about her business – she has been trading at the Glen Huntly Rd store for 16 years and is as committed as ever to her customers.
“When the store first opened, it belonged to a woman named Ruby who had it for about a year and a half. I worked there and when she decided to give it up, I took it on,” Ms Levitan said.
“I still love it all these years on and customer service is an absolute priority for me.”
A love of good service
Ms Levitan is proud of her free gift-wrapping service, an elegant extra that highlights her zest for great service.
“And especially now, when all sales are online, I go beyond the call of duty and talk to customers by phone and send photos of items they’ve seen on the website but want more details about,” she said.
Ruby’s Gifts also runs a reward system where regular shopping is rewarded with dollars to spend in the store. When a shopper has collected six loyalty cards they receive the average of what they have spent, to spend in the shop.
“I have really good regular customers and this is a way to recognise their loyalty and offer value.”
Every occasion catered for
Ruby’s Gifts has you covered, whatever or whoever you are shopping for. The store sells handbags, scarves, jewellery, candles, homewares, tableware and more.
It’s bursting with brands such as Glasshouse Fragrances, Mews Collective, and jewellery from a range of designers including Bianc, Duck and Sparrow, and Murkani, as well as fabulously quirky clocks from Allen Designs.
Elsternwick Village is the centre of Jewish culture in Melbourne and the Jewish New Year is an important time on the Ruby’s Gifts calendar, with kosher hampers created for the occasion.
“I don’t just pack food but maybe a beautiful plate or bowl too and create a lovely gift tied with ribbon,” Ms Levitan said.
Ruby’s Gifts also stocks a vast range of Judaica gifts and homewares, including elegant hand-crafted Hanukkah Menora, jewellery, kitchenware, challah boards, seder plates, candlesticks and more.
Like a little town
Ms Levitan said running her gift shop in Elsternwick Village is a joy.
“I have loved building a business here for the past 16 years. My customers are like family. They know me, and I know the first names of my regulars and it is a great community here,” she said.
“It’s a busy area but certainly has a warm neighbourhood feel. It’s like a little town.”
