Visitors to St. Luke’s Hospital-Miners campus might want to visit their doctor — and then do a little shopping.

The Coaldale hospital recently opened Miners Gift Shop, a place where folks can purchase anything from clothing to balloons.

“People have been asking for something like this for years and years,” said Mary Ann Dulaney, a St. Luke’s employee and gift shop manager.

Located on the ground level near the main entrance, the shop has snacks, toiletries, St. Luke’s clothing and other apparel, stuffed animals, toys, seasonal items, purses, socks and home decor.

Its opening makes it the 12th gift shop in the St. Luke’s University Health Network — and the first time in decades that the hospital has had a gift store.

Dulaney remembers the old gift shop at the former Coaldale State Hospital.

“My mother (the late Marie Kutza) used to run it, and I’d come with her to help,” she said.

Dulaney said her mother would order candy and other items from her husband Frank Kutza’s store, the former D Supermarket in Coaldale. She also remembers her mother flipping through LTD catalogs for flower arrangements.

“We would have regulars who would come in for candy every day,” Dulaney said.

Candy and snacks are available at the “new” gift shop as well.

“We have a variety of items, logo items, fashions,” Dulaney added.

New merchandise arrives almost daily.

Each week, the store offers “Wacky Wednesday” specials or percentages off on items.

“You never know what it will be until that day. Like today, there is a shamrock that you scratch off to win a discount,” Dulaney said. “Other days it might be discounts on something shiny, or something of a certain color.”

Stacy Waller oversees all shops in the St. Luke’s network.

“Our customer base is 90% employees. A lot of times people don’t realize that. But our employees often work 12 hour shifts and so it’s convenient for them to come in and buy something for their house, or for birthday gifts,” Waller noted. “This has been a long time want for employees.”

The shops’ most popular items are St. Luke’s apparel, such as shirts and hoodies, along with jewelry and accessories, she added.

Patients’ families tend to purchase cards, balloons or candies.

“If their loved one is in the hospital for several days, it is like a reprieve. It is like a happy spot for them to come to decompress,” Waller said.

The shops even see customers who return to purchase one-of-a-kind items.

All profits remain at the hospital campuses.

“It makes you feel good. We hope that people in the community will come here and look for gifts,” Waller said.

“It’s something different and unique,” agreed Karla Kares, senior marketing partner for St. Luke’s.

The shop is staffed by volunteers, said Kathleen Hoffmann, volunteer engagement specialist for St. Luke’s.

“It has been wildly successful so far,” Hoffman said. “It’s such a welcoming space.”

Hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, but with additional help, the hospital hopes to expand those hours.

Hoffman noted that anyone wishing to volunteer at the shop should contact her at 484-658-1472 or Kathleen.hoffmann@sluhn.org, or visit www.sluhn.org/volunteers.