Stuart Taylor | The Valdosta Daily TimesDon Hoff’s Valdosta Concierge & Errand Service offers to take care of everything from grocery shopping and car service to gift shopping and pet appointments.

VALDOSTA — A few months have passed since Don Hoff closed The Book Sack and headed off on vacation.

“I closed it up on April 18 and went to the beach for a month,” said Hoff.

While there, Hoff started thinking about what he could get into next.

His step-daughter, Lisa Redshaw, suggested he start a grocery-shopping and errand-running business.

“When we closed the book store, some of my customers were getting older,” said Goff. “It seemed like there was a need for somebody to help them do the day-to-day things they couldn’t do anymore … and then there’s busy professionals who don’t have time.”

Hoff found a library at the beach and checked out a book on concierge service.

When he returned to Valdosta, he ordered a few more books, mapping and outlining what all his concierge business would cover.

From there, he talked with the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce and Valdosta State University’s Small Business Development Center and went to Elton Dixon with Enay Designs for design work.

Hoff’s business, Valdosta Concierge & Errand Service, offers a number of services: Grocery shopping, delivery and unpacking, running to the post office or drug store, dropping off the dry cleaning, taking vehicles in to get serviced, taking pets in for vet visits, checking on homes and watering plants for clients on vacation, running errands for small businesses, taking clients to doctor appointments and waiting for appointments at the house, such as waiting for Internet-service installations.

“And if they need something done I don’t have listed, all they have to do is ask me,” said Hoff. “If I can do it, I’ll do it.

“I’m pretty open to anything I can do to help somebody,” he said. “All the little things you don’t want to do or can’t do anymore.”

An hour of errand running is $20. Hoff charges for 15-minute increments after the first hour.

Clients can also purchase a package of four hours for $70 and an eight-hour package for $135.

Valdosta Concierge & Errand Service is available 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

More information: (229) 561-2122

Website: www.valdostaconcierge.com

Stuart Taylor is a reporter for the Valdosta Daily Times.