ABOVE: Lakeview Methodist Activities Director Jessica Gronewald and Maplewood Independent Living Office Coordinator Deb Kroon operate the This and That Gift Shop. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day and is located at the Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center facility.

FAIRMONT — Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center in Fairmont welcomes residents and community members alike to visit their shops, This and That Gift Shop and Lakeside Cafe, located at the entrance of the facility.

Lakeview Methodist Activities Director Jessica Gronewald and Maplewood Independent Living Office Coordinator Deb Kroon operate the This and That Gift Shop, which has been at Lakeview Methodist for several years, both in its former location and now in the new facility.

“It was just kind of a dream years ago. We had Lakeview Auxiliary, which was a part of our campus, and of course, they were trying to think of something that could benefit the residents in the community. That’s how the gift shop was born,” explained Gronewald.

The gift shop offers seasonal items, unit and home decorations, Abdallah chocolates, geometry towels, jewelry, Lakeview Methodist attire and more. Gronewald and Kroon shared that the variety of decorative items seem to be in notable demand, as residents appear to enjoy decorating their units and gifting items to their families.

“Residents like to come here because they feel like they’re out shopping. I think we’re a cute little gift shop nestled right inside the entrance of Lakeview Methodist. Our residents and their families are well aware of it, but we would love to bring more awareness to our shop, to the community,” said Gronewald.

Lakeview Methodist Dietary Director Randi Meyeraan oversees the Lakeside Café. Since opening in the new facility two years ago, it has served soup, salads, sandwiches, snacks, breakfast, beverages and other items to help customers start their morning or afternoon right with a meal, all in a warm atmosphere.

“It’s nice because it just gives [residents and community] a chance to, instead of going out, they’re able to stay inside and get a decent meal,” Meyeraan said. “And it’s nice for families when they come in and just want to have a cup of coffee and a dessert or something or a snack with a resident. They can come and sit out here and hold up a more separate conversation, you know, with the residents around.”

Serving the residents and the community is a very rewarding experience, according to Gronewald, Kroon and Meyeraan.

“I love doing it. It’s great to have this available,” Meyeraan added.

In the future, they would like for the gift shop and the café to bring more offerings to resident and community members. Those involved agreed that the shops being present on Lakeview Methodist campus have boosted communication among residents, in addition to Maplewood Independent Living and Woodland Manor Assisted Living residents.

“Connected to us is assisted living and independent living and those ladies love to come down and shop, go out for lunch here, or meet for coffee. I’m the office coordinator over at Maplewood, and my tenants over there love to come over here and it’s a big plus for them. For the facility,” said Kroon.

The This and That Gift Shop and Lakeside Café are both open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day at the Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center, located at 610 Summit Drive in Fairmont. For more information regarding the shops and Lakeview Methodist’s additional offerings for both residents and the community, visit lakeviewmethodist.org.

*Editor’s Note: This article ran in the Oct. 30 edition of the Sentinel on the Senior Sense page.