The Giving Tree Gallery is a family-owned and operated business located in Sarasota, FL on St. Armands Circle. Originally founded in the Chicago area, the family relocated with the business to Sarasota in 1994, fed up with snow scrapers and unrelenting gray skies. Gorgeous gulf views, year round average temperature of 71 degrees and a city rich with art and culture replaced the northern dreariness. Sarasota has experienced tremendous growth over the last two decades, receiving top honors such as, "Best Beach in the USA" and "Best Small City in America" and The Giving Tree Gallery has grown with it.
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1994
Owner Debi Marino sitting proudly from behind the counter while customers delight in her curation. The Giving Tree Gallery began as The Giving Tree Wood Gallery –exclusively all wood handmade products. The daughter of an architect and artist, Debi had a trained eye for high design and well executed forms of artistic expression.
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1994
Husband and Wife, owners Debi and Terry, share a candid moment in the back of the shop. Check out all those orders on the wall!
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1994
Debi, in front of the shop with her children Debbie and Michael, who now take care of day to day operations. Michael manages the New Orleans galleries while Debbie focuses on the buying, curating marketing, ecommerce and growth and development.
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1994
Terry with his daughter Debbie taking posing for a photo op behind the scenes. Ahhhhh… the days when there was only one store! Maybe this is why they’re smiling!
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2014
For years these customized shelves held a variety of incredible artful home décor in the Sarasota store. Though retired, they once held everything from beautiful burl wood bowls to unique Menorahs to colorful lazy susans.
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2015
The Giving Tree Gallery opens a second location in a city they fell madly in love with years ago - New Orleans! Wrought with art and music, a diverse culture and rich history, there is no place like New Orleans. Chartres Street is just outside of iconic Jackson Square, in the French Quarter.
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2016
And again! A third store is open, this time in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans on Royal street. Royal street is known as the shopping destination in the French Quarter, as it is lined with an eclectic mix of store fronts - from antiques to galleries to private label dress shops.
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2017
Gallery manager Michael adopts Sasha, who was quick to embrace the role of shop dog in New Orleans.
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2018
The Sarasota store gets a make over in anticipation of its 25th year on St. Armands Circle. A clean, modern aesthetic provides the perfect backdrop for the gorgeous jewelry and works of art.
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2018
Debi and Terry’s son Michael, weds Frances Luker, a New Orleans native. The newlyweds parade down the streets of New Orleans in a second line after the wedding ceremony. A second line is a tradition in New Orleans that occurs most often at weddings and funerals. A brass band leads the parade in the middle of the street and guests follow behind dancing and waving handkerchiefs.
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2018
The New Orleans sales and management staff pose for a picture with Sasha.
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Today
Son Michael, Debi and Terry and daughter Debbie, outside of the Royal Street Store. The family continues to work together, along with a wonderful staff, all of whom are like extended members of the family. They travel back and forth between both cities, overseeing all day to day operations in all three locations and online.