Celebrating 51 years in business, Gene Allen';s Gifts is an Arlington staple.
The family-owned business has two locations in neighborhood shopping centers in The American Dream City, one at 1638 W. Randol Mill Rd and one at 255 Southwest Plaza.
It all began in March of 1959 when Gene Allen came to Arlington to join his brother who had just purchased Park Row Pharmacy.
In September 1965, Gene and his wife Nancy opened Randol Mill Pharmacy at Randol Mill and Fielder. Gene Allen';s Other Place opened next in 1969 at Park Row and Bowen.
Mrs. Allen was manager, and she soon became the gift buyer for the stores. She continued to manage the store until she moved her office in 1973 to their new gourmet store, The Wooden Spoon.
In 1980, Gene Allen';s Gifts and Randol Mill Pharmacy moved into a larger location with 10,750 square feet, and the gift store was formally separated from the Pharmacy.
A south Arlington location was opened at Little Road and I-20 in 1984.
Gene Allen';s now occupies the full 10,750 square feet, making it one of the largest gift shops in the DFW metroplex.
Mr. Allen sold his three locations in February of 1996 to the former gift buyer and general manager, Connie Gauntt and her husband Doug.
Connie worked closely with Mr. Allen for many years and she talked to us about living her American Dream as owner of a store that has made a lasting impact in Arlington for more than five decades.
To see more American Dream stories, click here.
American Dream City, MyArlingtonTV
Community, Headlines, News