Archives: News
Business Spotlight: The Sentiment Store
Fayetteville, NC – The owners of a gift shop near Cape Fear Valley Medical Center credit support from the community for their business”s initial success.
Why did you start this business? “I just felt the need to open up a gift shop in this area,” said owner Daisha Colvin. “I enjoy making things, and I just wanted to reach out to more people in this central location in Fayetteville.”
You first opened in the spring. How”s business so far? “It has exceeded my expectations for the first three months. We”ve had a lot of support from the community.
Former Marshall Field’s Executive Runs Gift Shop Like Department Store
Northbrook, IL – Jill Carlisle will tell you that her Northbrook gift store, la de da! is small, but that she runs it with the same mechanics she would if she was running Marshall Fields.
Carlisle can say that, because prior to opening la de da! she spent 14 years working at Field’s, specifically as a buyer in children’s wear, women’s apparel, and her biggest job at the company, an import buyer who developed private label knitwear for 28 stores.
“A lot of small stores open as a hobby,” said Carlisle. “This was opened purely as a business to support my family.
Artful Terra Bella Opens on Mercer Island
Mercer Island, WA – A new gift shop has opened on the north end of Mercer Island, in the former Pacific Northwest Ticket Service building. Nancy Meade’s goal was to open Terra Bella by Summer Celebration. Her shop opened on that Saturday, July 13.
Terra Bella moved out of its Old Main Street location in Bellevue at the end of May to make way for the construction of a 258-unit apartment and retail complex.
Meade’s sister, Sharon Roth, owns a clothing store, Jarbo, across the street. At one time, their businesses were next to each other.
Katherine McClure’s ‘Unique Boutique’ Offers Gift Items, Jewelry
Mobile, AL – Katherine Sheffield McClure comes from a long line of hard-working Mobilians, loves her hometown and its people and is not hesitant about putting in a full day”s work to make her own dreams come true or to help her fellow citizens. McClure owns Been There, a boutique in Westwood Plaza shopping center, 7765 Airport Blvd.
Candle Store Fires up Again in Uptown Park Ridge
Park Ridge, IL – In Park Ridge’s tiniest commercial storefront, four family members are continuing a tradition of candle sales while also adding their own creative flair.
A.K.A., which stands for the initials of business partners Anna Lorusso, her twin sister Kella Mosier, and cousin April Mosier, opened June 30 at 147 1/2 S. Vine Ave., a narrow hallway of a storefront that measures just 48 inches wide. The front door declares it to be “the world’s smallest retail space.”
“I knew it was small when my cousin told me, but when we walked in I was like, ‘Wow.
Old Time Candy Store Satisfies More Than a Sweet Tooth
Berwyn, IL – Entrepreneur Tracy Balnis is a self-proclaimed old-fashioned girl who went on a mission to revive the past. Her vision for a shop reminiscent of the penny candy stores of her youth started last summer and came full circle with the grand opening celebration of her new shop, Rissi’s Old Time Candy & Toys, at 6834 W Windsor Avenue (rissisoldtimecandyandtoys.blogspot.com) in Berwyn’s Depot District.
Keller Business Connections “Mob” Area Stores
Keller, TX – A Keller business group is “mobbing” area businesses.
Similar to “flash mobs,” where a mass of people invade a public space to make a scene and perform, members of Keller Business Connections hold “cash mobs” and meet at local businesses once a month to spend money.
The three rules are simple: Spend at least $10, meet three people you didn”t know and have fun.
Simply Pink Boutique Offers Variety of Handmade Gifts in Crestview
Crestview, FL – Simply Pink Boutique has become a one-stop shop for fans of handmade clothes and home decor.
Co-owner Jason O”Daniels and his wife April offer a variety of gifts from more than 30 vendors, and 20 direct-sales vendor catalogs, from Avon to Mary Kay, are available at the counter.
Each vendor rents space to sell his or her products; it’s an opportunity for residents — whether local or as far away as Georgia and Denver — who can’t afford their own brick-and-mortar establishment.
New Resources Please Retailers Shopping The Summer Gift & Home Market at The California Market Center
New showrooms, new lines, and non-stop hospitality greeted
local and national buyers attending Market held at the California Market Center (CMC)—the West
Coast’s epicenter for fashion, gift, home and children’s resources.
“New” was the by-word of the show, as retailers searched for products to fill their shelves for the
critical fourth quarter season.
Artisan House Adds New Artist, Mark Weinstein, to Growing Repertoire
Artisan House, designers and crafters of unique, fine-quality metal sculptures for wall, floor and tabletop, has added Mark Weinstein to its team of renowned artists. Weinstein, a professional metal artwork designer for more than 45 years, has been showcased all over the world in restaurants, popular television shows, and more. For Artisan House, Weinstein has reproduced nine of his most successful mid-century modern pieces from his original line.
Introducing Carousel by imm Living
Carousel is the cute and colourful younger sibling of imm Living. Each piece is sweet, simple yet unexpected. Much like our favourite childhood memories, Carousel creates cherished memories in everyday living.
Since its initial introduction in January, Carousel is known for vibrant colours, bold graphics and accessible price points. Top sellers from our Spring/Summer 2013 Carousel collection include the horseshoe ring holder, the animal graphic stacking series as well as colorful animal trinket dish series.
Grace Direct to Debut Permanent Showroom at Las Vegas Market
Grace Direct will unveil its new permanent 2,650-square-foot showroom at the summer Las Vegas Market taking place July 29-August 2. The new showroom will be located in World Market Center C-853/C-860.
“After showing in the temporaries for several seasons, we are excited to have a permanent destination to serve our retailers and customers out west,” said Grace Management Group’s President, Bob Caldwell, Jr.
Urban Expositions Launches New Trade Show App
To maximize convenience and business growth opportunities for its attendee and exhibitor audiences, Urban Expositions has launched a new mobile app for its trade shows. Designed and developed by Fog Technologies, the new Urban Expositions app invites viewers to select and download shows from the Urban roster offering complete access to exhibitor and product category listings and search features, floor plans, events and more.
Keena Opens New Showroom at Pacific Market Center
Pacific Market Center, the leading permanent wholesale market on the west coast, announces the latest addition to its roster of permanent showrooms, Keena. Keena’s new showroom will offer an inspired list of home and gift collections that encompass their distinctive point of view and sense of style.
“The Pacific Market Center is the place to be in the Pacific Northwest,” states Adriana Mello, Chief Marketing Officer of Keena.’
LA Mart Design Center Launches All-Access Wednesdays
LA Mart Design Center showrooms open their doors to consumers, where they will have an opportunity each month to shop more than 25 designer home furnishings showrooms and save on floor samples and special orders.
“Beginning July 31, and continuing through the end of the year on the last Wednesday of each month, the LA Mart Design Center showrooms on floors 110 and 12 will allow consumers to shop their showrooms,” says Frank Joens, senior vice president, general manager at the LA Mart.
Las Vegas Market Reports Surge In Temporary Exhibitors for Summer 2013 Market
Las Vegas Market announced today that nearly 120 new resources will be featured among the Market’s 390+ temporary exhibitors for the Summer 2013 Market, running July 29-August 2.
Popular Half Moon Bay Gift Shop Expands
Half Moon Bay, CA – One of Half Moon Bay’s more popular local retailers has moved to a new location and more than doubled its retail space.
The owners of Gifts A GoGo, a gourmet basket and handmade gift store, recently moved their business to 353 Main St. in order to accommodate its growing customer base.
“It has been heartwarming and exciting to see the community and visitors to the area enjoy our store and all the treasures we carry,” said Sherri Hill, owner and founder of Gifts A GoGo.