Incredible Edibles, at 1356 S. Ft. Harrison Avenue in Clearwater, is owned by Clearwater residents Carol J. Williams and Rowland Milam. The shop is known for its unique presentation of gourmet foods and gifts. Incredible Edibles offers an extensive line of custom-designed, innovative gift baskets. They can assemble a thoughtful and sensitive montage of items to create the perfect gift for anybody on any occasion at any time of year. They ship everywhere.
"Instead of flowers send gourmet!" says Williams, who thinks out of the box when it comes to creating one of a kind gifts for her customers.
Williams said, "I try to have things here that you won't find anywhere else. I go to a lot of shows and select only things that have a WOW! taste. Our gift baskets and trays are assembled fresh according to our customer's specifications. If they need ideas, we give them lots. If they don't have time to go over all of the choices, they can just give us an idea of colors or themes and we will hand select items appropriate for the type of gift and recipient."
Unlike other gift basket retailers, Williams is able to include wine and champagne in her baskets. "We have a special wine license that allows us to include wine and champagne in our gourmet baskets. The wines I have in stock are local favorites, served in the Clearwater area's best restaurants and not available in a grocery store," said Williams. Some of the wines are from Red Rock Winery, Robertson's, Cycles Gladiator, Robertson, Honig and Opera Brut champagne. Williams combines the wines with edibles such as flavored pesto and pastas, salmon, wine wafers, cheeses, crackers, candies and cakes. "Literally whatever someone wants," said Williams. A new favorite is "Wine Frappe" that mixed with wine and then frozen becomes a slushy concoction.
If a customer has an unusual request and gives Williams a little advance notice, she can hunt and find whatever they desire. She knows where to look. "Have I got the connections!" she quipped. The store itself has been a Clearwater icon for many years and was purchased by Williams and Milam last year in order to,"… keep it going for all the folks that have been ordering for years," Williams said.
An example of her wizardry at finding the perfect touches occurred when a customer who had volunteered for a Wizard of Oz themed school function was searching for favors in the form of ruby slippers. "I found her slippers made of chocolate. Just about anything that's made in chocolate I can get," said Williams.
Baskets aren't the only containers Williams uses when assembling gifts for her customers. She has tote bags, planters, and really nice picnic totes available to fill with the incredible edibles she carries. "The picnic totes are very popular. They're made of canvas and come in different patterns, including sports logos. I have the Seminoles, Gators and Bucs in store but can order a tote for any team. Even Notre Dame for St Patty's day? "I have wonderful emerald green Irish crème flavored chocolates this year for St Patrick's Day," said Williams.
Williams is ready for Easter, and springtime too. "In addition to the traditional candy and toy filled baskets for children, we have sectioned wicker and Lucite trays that can be filled with healthy dried fruits, nuts, snack mixes and special order sugar free treats to send to adults," she said.
Incredible Edibles doesn't just do gifts for celebrations and holidays. "We are able to construct thoughtful and sensitive baskets and trays for hospital patients, or anyone who needs cheering. We often are called upon to create trays for wakes and funerals, too."
Incredible Edibles doesn't just do baskets. Williams is expert at helping hostesses and brides find over the top party favors that match their themes and colors. "For a recent party at Belleair Country Club, the hostess needed favors in her colors of chocolate brown and pink. I ordered and made up individual favors that looked like wrapped presents composed of chocolate brown boxes filled with truffles bowed and tied with pink ribbon bearing the hostess's name. The imprinting on the ribbon so personalized the favors," said Williams. Other gifts can be monogrammed or imprinted also. New babies can receive monogrammed clothing and bibs along with other sweet baby gifts if their relatives visit Incredible Edibles.
Store hours are Monday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm. Visit Incredible Edibles anytime on the web at www.Ediblegifts.net or phone them at (727) 441-2010.
