Alexis Streets said she was always a creative person, but never really pursued it. Now the mother of two has her creative juices flowing at her unique gallery of food in Upper Marlboro.
Streets says her company, Basket Treats by Alexis Streets, is the go-to place for any kind of tasty basket treat. However, had it not been for a trying time with the birth of her daughter, the company may never have been created.
Streets’ became a stay at home mom after her daughter was born weighing only one pound. She stayed out of work for two years and then decided she needed to get back into the workforce. Then, she got pregnant again and figured she may need to do something for herself if she was to work again.
She started making food baskets for people and the idea continued to grow to where it is now – a full gallery of food for tastings and sale. “It started with the baskets and then once Valentines’ Day came around that’s when the sale of chocolate covered strawberries picked up,” Streets said. “I started doing everything else from there. So the strawberries branched into the apples and all the other edibles that people can get into.”
She knows her store is similar to other companies, but she says she’s setting herself apart by allowing people to sample her creations before purchase so that they know what they’re getting. “I want my clients to be able to come in and I offer them some treats then they can decide what they may like for their event,” said Streets. “At the same time, anyone can come in off the street and purchase whatever they like.”
When people do come in, they’ll have a lot to choose from – themed fruit, chocolate covered strawberries and pretzels, baked goods and different kinds of candy. Then customers can have their treats put in a themed basket whether it’s for a wedding, someone’s birthday, a baby shower, Valentine’s Day or a graduation. She even does adult-themed baskets.
Streets says she’s keeping everything in mind at her gallery as well. She says she knows men may come in with their significant others and may not be as interested in the tasting portion so she devoted an area of the gallery just for them.
“I have a sitting area for men if they come with their wives and they don’t feel like being with us talking about girl stuff,” Streets joked. “The men can enjoy the cable TV, sit down and have a treat and something to drink. I just want to cater to my clients.”
Streets now has her dream on the move, but knew this wasn’t always the case. She’s just glad that she discovered the courage to go after it. “This is something that I started doing from my home with an online-based business and I said to myself, ‘If I don’t do it now, I’m never going to do it,’” she said. “I couldn’t be afraid to jump out there.”
