Gift of Time

Gift of Time Owners    Gift of Time Clocks   Gift of Time Facade

Name Gift of Time

Business Type Furniture and Home Furnishings

NAICS Code 442

Location North Main, Merton, Wisconsin 53056

Nearby Businesses Key Pieces, United States Post Office

Owner/Manager Paul & Marge Schmitz

Special Store Activities In home clock repair

Year Opened 1996

Website www.giftoftimeclocks.com

Phone 262-538-8463

E-mail 

customerservice@giftoftimeclocks.com

Community Profile

Merton, Wisconsin is located 20 miles away from Milwaukee. In 2015, Merton had a population of 3,205. There are 45,000 people living within five miles.

Products Sold & Niche Developed

Gift of Time sells cuckoo clocks, grandfather clocks, wall clocks and mantel clocks. In addition to selling clocks, they offer full service clock repair, including in home service repair. Their business is a member of the national and local chapters of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. Gift of Time is an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau.

Market Segments Served

In 2003, they took their business online, which significantly helped their sales. Perspective buyers can view the types of clocks they sell and request an order on their website. They ship clocks throughout the country and will personally deliver some orders. They are located near Milwaukee and the Waukesha County Bugline,  which has helped them serve Southeast Wisconsin.

Contributions to the Business Community

Gift of time originally started in Paul and Marge Schmitz’s home, but they expanded in 1996. In downtown Merton, there was a vacant bank building with no perspective buyers. They bought the building and turned it into the store it is today. The front of the store changed to reflect their business, but they also aimed to blend in with the rest of the community.

The majority of customers shopping at Gift of Time is from outside the Merton area. They estimate this number to be around 60-70%. Roughly 80% of their customers outside of Merton physically come to the store, while 20% shop online.

They also used to hold an annual German Fest. There is significant German Heritage surrounding Milwaukee and within Merton. The festival had live music, dancing, games and raffles.

 

Reviewed by Emily Lutz, UW-Extension CCED