Owners Rocky Hunter and Amberlee Harder of Flying Cloud Gifts have earned “Best Customer Service” and “Best Gift Shop” awards in the Readers’ Choice Awards poll.

“The awards make me feel privileged to be part of the community and part of the downtown businesses,” Hunter said. “Seems like everyone is supportive, and I’m grateful that everything gets to be in full circle.”

Flying Cloud Gifts is a second-generation, family-owned and operated business, which was started by his parents in 1993. Besides online sales, Hunter and Harder have been operating out of their storefront at 1102 Washington Ave. for the past year and a half.

Their “Best Customer Service” award recognizes their commitment to help people find what they need even if they don’t have it themselves to offer. Online sales are followed by a personal note of thanks from Hunter or Harder to the customers.

“We try to make friends and connections versus just trying to check somebody out at the register,” Hunter said.

Hunter and Harder now offer bagels made in the early morning hours. Hunter prepares the dough and forms the bagels, and in the morning Harder helps with the topping process and baking. Many bagels are reserved for pickup orders, but a supply is available at the store. For details, check the Facebook page or flyingcloudgifts.com.

“We are just sending out an order for our bagels to a customer in Michigan, so our online sales are picking up,” Hunter said. “Locally, we also have a good response to our bagel products.”

As for the award of best gift shop, Hunter and Harder continue to offer American-made products like Denali blankets and throws made in Wisconsin, Mary Lake Thompson products made in California, Mr Bird products and bird seed treats from Texas, Steven Smith Teamaker products from Portland, and Longbottom coffee from Hillsboro.

They also offer locally made products, such as Sharry Sherman’s jewelry and Bob Jensen’s pottery.

Other popular gift lines include journals, notebooks, coloring books, pens and stationery and their holiday ornament products.