CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for gift, novelty and souvenir stores in Columbus, OH
Gift, novelty and souvenir stores in the Columbus, OH metro area: 81 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs an 8-person team.
- Establishments
- 81CBP 2023
- Employees
- 623mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 3.6U.S. 5.6
- Rank
- 43rd of 602areas by count
Gift, novelty and souvenir stores in Columbus, OH by the numbers
There were 81 gift, novelty and souvenir stores in the Columbus, OH metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 453220, Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores). They employed 623 people in mid-March and paid $11.7 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 43rd out of 602 areas with published figures for gift, novelty and souvenir stores.
Measured against its 2.2 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 3.6 gift, novelty and souvenir stores per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 5.6, so Columbus, OH is 34.5% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 7.7 employees, compared with 6.8 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $18,767, 26.5% below the national $25,533.
| Measure | Columbus, OH | Ohio | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 81 | 519 | 18,896 |
| Mid-March employees | 623 | 3,807 | 127,699 |
| Annual payroll | $11,692,000 | $70,772,000 | $3,260,545,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 7.7 | 7.3 | 6.8 |
| Payroll per employee | $18,767 | $18,590 | $25,533 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 3.6 | 4.4 | 5.6 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
How big gift, novelty and souvenir stores in Columbus, OH are
Of the gift, novelty and souvenir stores in Columbus, OH that had employees in March 2023, 43.6% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 55.8%). 70.5% had fewer than ten. When a business has only a few people, whoever is free answers the phone, and calls that arrive while everyone is busy go to voicemail unless they are routed somewhere else.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 34 | 43.6% | 55.8% |
| 5–9 employees | 21 | 26.9% | 21.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 23 | 29.5% | 17.4% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 4.2% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 0.7% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for gift, novelty and souvenir stores in Columbus, OH
Gift shops take calls about stock, holds and gift wrapping, with seasonal peaks. Quick answers help capture holiday sales.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for gift, novelty and souvenir stores in Columbus, OH:
- A customer calls to ask about a specific item.
- The store calls a customer about an order.
- A customer calls about shipping a gift.
Texting customers
Shops text hold and order-ready notices.
Texts sent from a local business number in Columbus, OH have to be registered with carriers first (10DLC); on Callata that is a one-time $49 fee, after which the whole team can text from the shared number.
Phone system pricing for an 8-person gift shop
The average gift shop in Columbus, OH has 7.7 employees, so an 8-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Priced per seat, 8 users would run $240.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $199.60 on Ooma Office Pro (month-to-month list prices, checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $159.00 a month for 8 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $972 less than RingCentral for a gift shop in Columbus, OH of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $159.00 | $1,908.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $152.00 | $1,824.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $184.00 | $2,208.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $199.60 | $2,395.20 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $216.00 | $2,592.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $240.00 | $2,880.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Which area code to use in Columbus, OH
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 8 area codes. 614 has the most, with 707 of 1,164 exchanges (61%). A local number lets customers in Columbus, OH call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 614 | 707 | Eastern | 1947 | 380 |
| 740 | 223 | Eastern | 1997 | 220 |
| 380 | 128 | Eastern | 2016 | 614 |
| 220 | 42 | Eastern | 2015 | 740 |
| 937 | 31 | Eastern | 1996 | 326 |
| 567 | 13 | Eastern | 2002 | 419 |
| 419 | 12 | Eastern | 1947 | 567 |
| 330 | 8 | Eastern | 1996 | 234 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for gift, novelty and souvenir stores
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Columbus, OH is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many gift, novelty and souvenir stores are there in Columbus, OH?
Census County Business Patterns counted 81 gift, novelty and souvenir stores in the Columbus, OH metro area in 2023. They employed 623 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for an 8-person gift shop?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 8 users cost $240.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $199.60 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $159.00.
What area code should a gift shop in Columbus, OH use?
Area code 614 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 740 and 380. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a gift shop?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.