I love this shop on Thayer street it's fun to check out all the nostalgic stuff from retro candy to TikTok candies to books and unique gifts it's so fun to look around- there are some good deals and the service is top notch ! Thank you Nicole for all your assistance and kindness to me and my participant. read more

Pleasant Surprise - Cute novelty gum - Flowers & Gifts Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Is a bookstore? Am I buying a Pope Francis Action figure? Well, I decided to walk in based on the intriguing exterior of their storefront on Thayer Street as I walked by looking for my car. I remember I mumbled to myself "What is this?" as my curiosity intensified upon my entrance to this golden gem of a retail location. First of all, it's so much more than a souvenir shop! You can just tell they put so much effort into carefully selecting their inventory. Honestly, I was snapping photos every 2 seconds of their amazingly quirky and comical goods displayed in every crevice of their store. I browsed everything and came across so many amazing gifts making it even more challenging to narrow down my must-have items. ATTN:Millennials- this is your spot in Providence for some shopping when the basic stuff just doesn't do it for ya. #BeBetter read more

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FAVORITE STORE FOR PRESENTS! It is the perfect place to buy gifts: spa stuff, books, socks, clothes, etc. Such a cute place to look through!! Only problem is that it's expensive read more

Maybe I did wait until Sunday May 8th to buy a Mother's Day gift. That one's on me. That being said, I was totally let down by the selection and service at Pleasant Surprise. The prices have gotten really unreasonable. It was $40 for a simple reed diffuser (and not even a fancy brand). They gave me my items in a flimsy paper bag that completely broke apart before I got to my car 5 minutes away. Everyone working here seems completely miserable and I'm sure they're paid minimum wage. Worst of all, when I asked if they could gift wrap my items, they said they don't offer any gift wrapping. A GIFT store doesn't offer GIFT wrapping! I spent $100 here and then I had to spend another $20 at CVS to get bags and tissue paper. I totally understand if they have to have a minimum order or charge a fee for gift wrapping, but I thought it was crazy that they don't offer it at all. I like to support local businesses when it comes to buying gifts but I'll probably try my best to go somewhere else next time. There are plenty of other cute gift stores in the Mount Hope area so I'll just go north in the future. read more

Great place for fun gifts! They have a lot of interesting books, magnets, coasters, kitchen items and lots of socks. There is also a small section for children. In the summer they have a strong assortment of beach stuff and cute sunglasses . Prices are a bit high but might be worth it if you find the perfect gift. Difficult to park on Thayer- park further away and walk over for less stress. read more

Great store to find unique gifts, cards, souvenirs, games, etc. The selection of funny merchandise is great. You can find a gift suited for a serious guy or a crazy head ! LOL. The prices are good, not a value store but a high quality, great selection store. My friend Mechelle and I went so she could get a unique birthday card and she found what she was looking for. Some of the merchandise might be odd or weird sometimes, but there's always a customer looking for those unique items. Great find. read more

Terrible service! My ten year old daughter bought a Father's Day card and didn't realize the return policy (I didn't go up with her as she was excited to buy something all by herself with her own hard earned money). A half hour later she decided she wanted to return it and both cashiers said no. People she is 10 and the card was $4.06. I said they should call their manager and ask if an exception would be made...they said he would say the same thing. Never again! read more

Super-cute place with super-cute stuff. On my recent visit, I was tempted to buy myself a scrabble mug emblazoned with an H (for obvious reasons) and a pouch made entirely of pop tops. You see, this store is filled with everything you don't need - kitschy cute fun stuff for bday parties, grab bags and the occasional gift swap. They literally have everything - toys, mugs, tees, and political gag gifts and a lot of weed-centric items. It's fun and cheap and impossible not to want to purchase something from this shop, which is why I'm assuming there was no sales associate on the floor getting up in my biz trying to sell me something. Add to that the lack of parking and you've got my reason for knocking off one star. Other than that, Pleasant Surprise is a pleasant surprise on Thayer, for sure. read more

Quick! I need a witty, fun, slightly inexpensive gift in a hurry! This place is a great little distraction amongst all the college eateries on Thayer Street in Providence. From products like bacon flavored soap, random quote books, Rhode Island themed shirts, figurines, and wine glasses that can fit a whole glass of wine, you can just find something in here for everyone. The store is well laid out and everyone is friendly. This is one of my favorite places to shop in the city. read more

All the chotchkes you could possibly want but... probably don't need! With that being said, this is the perfect place to shop for gifts! They have everything from cool RI t-shirts, mugs with quotes, fun coffee table books, fun ice cube trays, wallets with whale prints on them, fun tea steapers like the t-rex tea steaper.... soooo, if anyone is looking to buy me a gift I highly recommend the t-rex tea steaper! read more

The only reason I give this store two stars is because the merchandise is fun. However, the store was a little filthy and the customer service/staff was rude. My husband and I were in the store for ten minutes, walked past the desk several times, and the woman at the front desk never looked up or even said hello. When I brought my things up to the counter to purchase, I tried to make conversation with her. At this point there was also a man behind the counter (I'm assuming some type of manager/owner) looking at an invoice for a recent shipment and a second woman unpacking more boxes. I was the only one speaking and no one even acknowledged I was there. Once my purchase was done the woman checking me out handed me the receipt and walked away. Ok, I get it...you're a store in a college town and maybe you have college employees? But that does not give you a reason to act unprofessional and immature. I am in my mid-twenties and I know better than to ignore customers. I will not be going to this store again. I would rather take a drive north and find the same awesome things at Roost (https://www.facebook.com/roostsalem?ref=ts&fref=ts) or Macro Polo (https://www.facebook.com/macropolo.nh?ref=ts&fref=ts ) where people are actually glad you came to spend money in their stores. read more

If I could give zero stars I would. I just left with my 3 year old daughter who was apparently too slow for the clerk. Who huffed behind like we were bothering her. Horrible customer service. I walked right out. read more

Place is really cute with fun things but I'd think about a new staff. Walked in, wasn't greeted by the red head on her cell phone nor by the other girl walking around who made eye contact with me. Even a smile would have been nice from either one of them. read more

This is the type of place that Thayer Street was known for before many of the chain stores and restaurants came in. This was where OOP! used to be. It's across from the CVS on Thayer and Cushing. I can't add much to the previous reviews detailing tPleasant Surprise's wares. Fun gifts at affordable prices (for Thayer Street.) I do have to refute the review of the South Caroliner who gave a bad review because she wasn't chatted up. This *is* New England. Many times the custom is to leave a customer alone only asking once or twice if they need any help. Checking out doesn't require a lengthy chatty conversation. People are polite, not gushy. I was pretty much left to my own devices when my son and I came in and browse. He was looking for an item to take back to North Dakota as a souvenir for a friend from RI. He found something for himself though! There are some clever items and this is a great browsing store. These kinds of stores would be the kinds of things to bring me back to Thayer Street again. read more

This place is the go to place for gifts. I can always find something that is perfect for the hard to shop for person! The management is friendly and always willing to help. I have had to exchange items a few times and they could not have been any more accommodating. Thanks Pleasant Surprise for saving me every birthday and holiday! read more

BUYERS BEWARE! I will NEVER be back in this store. I purchased a beautiful watch, and as I was walking out of the store I pulled the little tag out and tired to set the time but the watch wouldnt work. I immediately went back in and wanted to exchange the watch, but they didn't have anymore of the one I had.. The owner WOULD NOT give me my money back! So I was either stuck with a $25 watch that doesnt work, or store credit for a store I rarely shop in.. HOW IS IT MY FAULT THEY SOLD ME A WATCH THAT DOESN'T WORK?! Anyway, very poor management and a sad way of running a business, COMPLETE BS. read more

This place is perfect for that funky gift that you need in a hurry. There is nothing here you need, but plenty to want- coffee mugs, books of strange trivia, and so on. I just wonder why on earth they leave the front door open when it is 28 degrees outside. It equals a very cold store, which is why I didn't give them more stars. Otherwise, it is a really fun store. read more