A gift shop in downtown Grand Junction designed, maintained and operated by adults with disabilities celebrated its brick-and-mortar location’s grand opening Friday afternoon.

The new store, called “Gifts & Abilities,” is an extension of Ability Advocates, another local business that provides respite care, homemaking assistance, transportation and mentorship, among other things, to people with disabilities. Both are owned by Sydney Johnston, who said the shop was inspired by a similar venture with Ability Advocates clients, who sold goods first through an online store, then at local farmers markets earlier this year, before the retail location opened for business.

“It was a hit, we couldn’t keep our products in stock, and the clients really, really started to enjoy the customer service p

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