Donzia Gift Shop management transitioning to Sho-Ban Hotel Casino
Bead & craft supplies move to Tribal Enterpise stores
Entrance to the Donzia Gift Shop.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — In the interest of better business sense, Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Enterprises is turning management of the Donzia Gift Shop over to the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel.
Carlie Jim, Enterprise Retail Operations Manager, the move is something both management teams have been trying to do for many years. “Both agree that Donzia Gift Shop has the potential to be more profitable if the Hotel and Event Center Management has direct oversight staffing, hours of operation, analytics, as well as product mix to better serve the hotel and casino guests,” she said in an email response.
“Although Tribal Enterprises has been able to operate Donzia Gift Shop in a positive position for many years, it has been a challenge to tailor the shop to the needs of the facility, its events and its guest without all of the insight that the Hotel Casino Management has,” she continued.
The transition will happen December 31.
Beaded checkbook covers and coin purses available for sale at the Donzia Gift Shop.
Long time Donzia manager Bonnie Wuttunee-Wadsworth recently retired and the position is being advertised under the Hotel management. Co-manager Rachel Diggie is still on board and staffing will remain the same.
An Enterprise transition letter to customers explained the Casino Hotel will continue to purchase tribal member arts and crafts for resale so watch for details to be posted on buying dates and times. All tribal member beadwork, souvenirs, food items and cigarettes will continue to be available to customers.
All bead supplies such as beads, needles, thread, etc. will be transferred and made available at the Blue Corner Store, Bannock Peak Truck Stop, Sage Hill Travel Center and TP Gas. The notice reads Blue Corner Store will be the primary bead supply location and continue to purchase tribal member arts and crafts too.
In a statement from the Casino Hotel management, “The intent is to keep the Donzia the same, with few exceptions such as the craft supplies being absent, the addition of selling Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel memorabilia and increasing the utilization of the Donzia’s online presence.” The things that will remain the same are the buying days and hours, the current employees and the products offered, just to name a few.
Prior to the Donzia opening at the Casino Hotel, it was previously known as the Clothes Horse.
