What’s in Store: Healdsburg’s Tickled Pink

“I love everything that sparkles, is froo-froo or girly,” said Dawn Richardson, owner of “Tickled Pink,” a gift shop that opened in Healdsburg last spring. “Everyone’s home should be beautiful.”

To that end, Tickled Pink carries signs with sayings like, “Conserve water, drink wine,” jewelry made by nine local designers, a large stock of tutus made by her stepmother Ina Petersen, as well as tiaras, purses and bags, vintage furniture and “shabby chic” items.

Richardson, 50, shares shop space with Xiomara Peña, who sells new and gently worn designer clothing.

“Ninety-five percent of my business is with tourists,” said Richardson. The shop is directly across the street from h2hotel. She sells items that are easy to fit into suitcases and many of her items are under $25.

Almost 30 years ago, Richardson opened the first “Tickled Pink” in an industrial area of Rohnert Park. She shut the shop after a year and, with a partner, moved to a store in Montgomery Village.

After selling that store, she worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. She returned to owning a gift shop by opening “The Pink Room” inside Shoffeitt’s Off the Square, an antique, handmade and collectibles store just south of the new location.

Richardson and Peña opened the shop on April 7, and Richardson has two part-time employees

She attends gift shows to find some of her wares, in addition to supporting local jewelry makers. She is working on a website and expects to do mail order business in the future.

Tickled Pink, 224 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, is open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. facebook.com/tickledpinkuniquegifts.

- Ann Carranza, Healdsburg.Towns@gmail.com.