Archives: News
Small-Business Spotlight: Piper’s Boutique, Valparaiso
Valparaiso, IN – Nancy Van Santen travels the nation and the world looking for the unique merchandise she sells at Piper’s Boutique.
The store has been in business for 30 years and remains the area’s foremost retailer of high-end children’s clothing and accessories.
From the start, Van Santen wanted her merchandise to be different from what was available locally.
CMC Gears Up For Busy July Gift & Home Market With Expanded Resources
The California Market Center (CMC) will be hosting the CMC Gift & Home Market, Tuesday – Tuesday, July 16 – 23, 2013, from 9am to 6pm daily, with extended hours until 8pm on Friday, July 19. This edition of Market will offer expanded resources, including the arrival of new showrooms, as well as a world-class selection of fashion, accessory and kids resources throughout the building.
25th Annual ARTS Awards Call for Nominations Open
Dallas Market Center and ART, the creative home furnishings network, today announced the call for nominations for the 25th annual ARTS Awards is open. Dallas Market Center and ART encourage anyone in the home accents or furnishings industry to nominate their peers for these prestigious awards online now at dallasmarketcenter.com/artsawards.
The ARTS Awards, presented each January during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, recognizes top manufacturers, retailers, product designers and sales representatives from across the world.
Novelties Haven’t Worn Off for Boardwalk Shop Owner
Atlantic City, NJ – From his Boardwalk T-shirt and gift shop, Todd Lovitz has seen Atlantic City change over the decades – from its pre-casino days, its growth as a gambling hub, and its post-recession struggles.
Adapting to a changing market is part of any long-running business – in his case, consistently changing merchandise to find what the customer wants before he or she walks through the door.
But countering misperceptions that Hurricane Sandy destroyed Atlantic City’s Boardwalk has proven especially difficult the past eight months and continues to be so, said Lovitz, owner o
Signature CanvasMakers Opens Nautical Shop in Phoebus
Hampton, VA – Signature CanvasMakers celebrated moving into its own building in Phoebus and opening a maritime gift shop in March.
“We moved a whole block,” said Charlene Clark, who owns the marine canvas shop with her husband Chandler.
Chandler Clark of Hampton has been in the canvas-making business since 2005 after he learned how to make and repair sails when he was stationed in New Orleans before he retired as a Navy senior chief. The husband lived aboard a sailboat at a marina for two years while Charlene stayed in Virginia to work for Busch Gardens.
Von Z Boutique Opening Soon in Bucktown
Bucktown, IL – After launching her private clothing line, Cotton Candy Couture, in 2012, Lake View resident Jenna Zielbauer is bringing it to a storefront in Bucktown this summer.
Von Z will celebrate its grand opening Thursday, June 27, will special hours and events to show off the new store, which features women’s apparel, shoes and more. The grand opening celebration, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., will feature raffle prizes, cotton candy and an Instagram contest in which the winner will get a $100 gift card to the store.
Über Boutique Owners to Open Separate Stores in Broad Ripple
Indianapolis, IN – Fans of über boutique in Broad Ripple and Carmel can look forward to the opening of a new Broad Ripple home decor and clothing store.
Heidi Woodman — in another nod to her German heritage — is opening Haus in August at 5901 N. College Ave., the former home of Fox Studios.
Woodman, a former owner of über, decided to branch out to focus on home decor in addition to clothing. She said über owner, Anne Branham will now focus on selling clothing.
Aladdin’s Cave Of Trendy Treasures
Clevedon, UK – Tucked away down a lane behind Clevedon’s clock tower, Souk is an enticing boutique offering gifts, jewellery and accessories for the home.
The shop, a favourite with locals who love to buy stylish treasures at affordable prices, first opened in 2001 before being taken over by current owner Liz Fox two years ago.
The first thing you notice when you enter this Aladdin’s Cave is the pretty array of decorative glass globes, wooden hearts and wind chimes hanging from the ceiling.
Emerging Food Companies in Spotlight at Summer Fancy Food Show
In addition to thousands of new products throughout its sold-out exhibit halls, the Summer Fancy Food Show presents the specialty food industry’s newest brands in a pavilion devoted exclusively to emerging food entrepreneurs.
Called “New Brands on the Shelf,” the pavilion features tabletop displays showcasing dozens of artisan food and beverage specialties from 34 industry newcomers. Exhibiting their products for the first time at a Fancy Food Show, these companies are in the Member Candidate Program offered by the Specialty Food Association, the show’s owner.
Local Antique Dealer Takes Over Wild Rose
Fergus Falls, MN – The little flower shop on the corner has a new home.
Just over a week ago, local antique dealer and businessman Richard “Herby” Herbrandson purchased Wild Rose Floral and Gifts, a popular floral shop in Fergus Falls for 20 years. Over the weekend, Herbrandson moved the shop to its new location at his antique shop, Cascade Antiques north of the railroad tracks on Cascade.
“I thought it over, looked at the books and made a decision pretty quickly,” Herbrandson said. “But I got the people with the business.
Dallas Showrooms Celebrate with Ribbon Cuttings
Dallas Market Center today announced that many of its showrooms will celebrate openings, expansions, anniversaries and relocations with ribbon cutting ceremonies during the Total Home & Gift Market.
Below is a schedule of the ribbon cutting ceremonies:
Wednesday, June 19
· Table & Housewares FINDS, World Trade Center (WTC) 1, at 10 a.m.
· Zucker Feather Products, The Plaza 1-1F101, at 10:15 a.m. (new)
· Watson & Co, WTC 5-521, at 11 a.m. (new)
· Hinges Furniture, WTC 6-6482, at 3:30 p.m.
Gallerie II presents Botanica
Gallerie II, an upscale holiday and home décor company, is pleased to announce the release of Botanica, a tableware and gifts collection inspired by nature’s organic and rustic elements.
Senior Designer, Kari Phillips says “The flora and fauna found in the understory of a woodland forest has influenced this trend toward nature for 2014.”
The collection features artistically collaged vintage, botanical and architectural illustrations printed on burlap photo frames, pillows, napkin rings, distressed wood trays and glass vases that are paired with an elegant glass pedestal stand
Robust Seminar Program Planned for Las Vegas Market
A stellar slate of retailer-oriented educational programming, including informative seminars led by top industry executives addressing directional design trends, color forecasting, suggestive selling and other business-building marketing strategies, is planned for the Summer 2013 Las Vegas Market, July 29-August 2.
Brandwise Marks 15th Anniversary in 2013
Trailblazing technology solutions provider Brandwise is marking its 15th anniversary with a streamlined studio of products and a fresh focus on service and support for both existing and new customers in the gift and home furnishings industries.
2013 Ocean City Resort Gift Expo To Offer Expanded Selection, Business-Building Services to Northeast Coastal/Shore Retailers
Perfectly timed for retailers to buy last-minute holiday merchandise and new products for the busy resort season, the Ocean City Resort Gift Show returns to the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD from November 17-20, 2013.
National Federation of Independent Business Offers Small Business Owners Access to Wide Range of New Health Insurance Options
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business association, is bringing their 350,000+ members easier access to a wide range of personal health insurance plans through the UnitedHealthOne Agency, a UnitedHealthcare affiliate.
Health insurance options include co-pay plans, which are similar to traditional employer-sponsored coverage, lower-cost high deductible plans and health savings account (HSA) plans that can enable small business owners and their families to save on both their health insurance and their taxes.
Bridgewater Candle Company Celebrates First Licensed Collection with Artist Signing
Bridgewater Candle Company is celebrating the launch of its first licensed artist collaboration with a Meet the Artist event during the upcoming Dallas and Atlanta Markets. The company partnered with artist Caroline Simas of Multiple Blessings on a new inspirational collection of candles, sachets and car fresheners featuring uplifting messages and whimsical artwork by Simas.
Bridgewater will hold a Meet the Artist event in its Dallas showroom on Friday, June 21st from 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM and in its Atlanta showroom on Saturday, July 13th from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM.
Woodstock Chimes will Fascinate with New Trio of Harp Chimes
Woodstock Chimes, a leading manufacturer of musically-tuned windchimes, is preparing to charm shoppers with its latest harp-style chime designs this market season. The launch will feature two different styles: Enchantment Chime™ and Emperor Harp™ – Bronze [available in two sizes]. All the chimes feature tubes strung in an elegant harp fashion and descending from a beautiful wooden topper. With retail prices between $20 and $40, these chimes are expected to be very popular debuts.
New Colors For Kaleidoscope Collection From Capri Blue Candles
DPM Fragrance is excited to announce the release of new colors to the top-selling Kaleidoscope Collection. Frosted Jasmine + Rain is beautifully showcased in denim-hued glass and is reminiscent of jasmine after a cool spring rain. Silver Sage + Cypress is a rich emerald tone and features green cypress blended with rosewood and silver sage. Each is a more jewel-toned addition to the color rich collection.
The Kaleidoscope Collection is available in three components. The 24oz Large Cylinder is a statement piece with a 90+ hour burn time.