Hospital gift shops are more than just flowers, cards and “Get Well” balloons. The Owls Nest gift shop at Palmerton Hospital is more like a boutique, and patrons don’t have to be hospital visitors.

“I wish we had more people come in from the outside,” said Diane Owens, a volunteer who manages the shop.“There are so many nice things,” said Joanne Kercsmar, who also volunteers at the gift shop. “Dee Dee has quite a knack for purchasing. It’s always looking beautiful in here.”Owens said she tries to have something at almost every price point from a dollar or two to more expensive gift items. Candy is her biggest seller though. Hospital staff enjoy coming down and picking up a snack, she said.“It’s a nice place for staff to come in and take a breather,” Kercsmar said. “They say shopping is very therapeutic.”The shop was started in 1977 by the Palmerton Hospital Auxiliary and was located next door to its current location, Owens said. The original store was in a larger, open area, but the current store still carries a good amount of inventory, she said. The shop moved to its new location in 2000, which was originally the lobby.Owens started helping at the gift shop in 1980 with her sister. After a couple years, she was asked to come on as manager and a paid employee.“I just liked it, the buying and creating displays. And I’m still liking it,” she said.With the economic downturn in 2008, Owens stayed on as manager, but as a volunteer.“Things are picking up,” she said. “I’ve noticed a definite improvement.”The gift shop sales household items, scarves, candles, toys jewelry, seasonal decorations and of course, cards.“We carry a little bit if everything; anything that can be considered a gift item,” Owens said. “The Willow Tree Angels are always a big seller, as are clothing items.” Her favorite is jewelry.Throughout the year, Owens offers sales, especially near a holiday – typically 20 percent off. But at Christmas time, she holds an open house and puts everything on sale for 30 percent off.“The turnout is always really good,” she said.The auxiliary uses money from the gift shop to purchase something for the hospital. Last year, they purchased a weight chair, which enables the staff to weigh a person who cannot stand on a scale. This year, they plan to purchase seven television sets for the intensive care unit.Owens said her biggest problem is staffing the shop.“It’s always a challenge to find volunteers,” she said.If anyone is interested in volunteering at the shop, then contact Owens at 610-826-1245. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.