Grayce Baldwin; Fashion Merchandiser, Caterer

Grayce Baldwin, 64, fashion merchandiser who also marketed her gourmet souffles and eventually fine art and gifts. A New York native educated at Skidmore College, Baldwin became a clothing buyer for major department stores. She came to Los Angeles in the 1960s to teach fashion merchandising at UCLA and work as a buyer for the Associated Merchandising Corp. A gourmet cook who had studied in France, she operated a catering service for private parties in the 1980s. After her catering business was destroyed by the Northridge earthquake, she formed Just Leave Everything to Us, a custom gift and fine art store. Open for shopping only by appointment, her 500-square-foot store was an innovative showcase of one-of-a-kind specialty items for corporate clients. She roamed conventions, gift shows, marts and antique stores to find special items for attorneys and businessmen to bestow upon clients. However large or small her merchandising domain, she was always known for her professionalism. Asked by The Times for tips on running a small business, Baldwin once advised: Return all phone calls, have printed lists showing credit history and references to avoid wasting time filling out forms, show loyalty and respect to vendors, never buy C.O.D. and provide photos of the shop to convince vendors that their merchandise belongs on your shelves. Baldwin was also an indefatigable volunteer for charities benefiting AIDS patients. On Aug. 29 in Los Angeles.