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Home Front is Her Store Front
Pampa, TX – Silvia Dowd opened Silvia’s Scrubs and More in her home on Foster Avenue three months ago.
Dowd said that decision to open the store in her home came for a couple of reasons.
“One reason is my loss of hearing has caused me to not be able to get a job outside of the home,” she said. “I only have about 10 percent left. They say I will be completely deaf in one or two years. I have taken six months of lip reading classes that will help me in my store should that happen.”
Megastar Toys Sets up Shop in Boyertown
Boyertown, PA – Mike Rohrbach always knew he would own a business one day, though the details beyond that were a bit fuzzy. Today, he owns and operates Megastar Toys in Boyertown.
Opened May 3, the business sells new toys with items such as action figures, baseball cards and Barbies.
Rohrbach said he chose items for the store that would appeal to a wide audience from a toddler to an adult collector.
Mom and Pop Shops Key to Health of Staten Island’s West Brighton Section
Staten Island, NY – Darth Vader was there. So was John Liu, the comptroller of New York City – one of several who is campaigning to be the next mayor.
What was a bit light on Saturday during an initiative dubbed Shop Local were Staten Island shoppers, according to Vincent D’Antuono, owner of Pastosa Ravioli at 764 Forest Ave.
Mum Who Suffered Illness Finds Hope in Haberdashery
Ilkley, UK – When Christine Asher’s husband bought her a sewing machine, little did she know that it would lead to a new life.
She had no idea that the gift – bought to cheer her up during a period of illness – would result in her opening her own business, a stylish children’s boutique that is making a name for itself in Ilkley.
Herbert & Stella entices customers with its cosy, colourful interior and stylish, top quality clothing and toys.
Chez Jacqueline Shop Set to Celebrate 10th Anniversary
Palm Coast, FL – When Jackie Hamilton opened her home accessories store in 2003, Flagler County was enjoying a housing boom that would make the community the nation’s fastest growing. With an eclectic selection of goods, Hamilton aimed to carve out a niche helping residents fill in the corners and open spaces of their new Florida homes.
While the shop was her first foray into the business world, Hamilton was not without experience.
“When I was in Connecticut, I was president and chair of a nature center and we had a museum store,” she said.
Pop-Up Stores Are Way More Than Low-Budget Halloween Emporiums Now
If old-time department stores were comprehensive, mom-and-pop stores friendly and big-box always low price, what kind of message does pop-up retail whisper into the ear of today’s customer?
“New, fun, something different,” says Wharton marketing professorBarbara E. Kahn. “Innovation and intrigue,” says pop-up leasing agent Christina Norsig, CEO/founder of PopUpInsider. Adds Wharton marketing professor Stephen J.
SweetPea – a Unique Boutique
Rohnert Park, CA – It was one of those warm May or June nights back in 1987, when a small group of senior women decided they’d like to open up a store to sell their hand-knitted baby clothes and hand-strung bead necklaces they’ve busily accumulated. By October of that year they made a deal to rent a store on Southwest Boulevard, Rohnert Park’s original Main Street.
Shop Local: Keepsake Boxes, Albums and Frames For Special Occasions
Dallas, TX – Fabric has always been a vital part of life for designer Jan Sevadjian. Her office shows the evidence. Boxes of cloth cover every inch of shelves, desk and floor. Textile samples and passementerie are stacked in corners and tucked beneath chairs.
“My mother sewed for my three sisters and myself. Every Saturday when we were growing up, we went to the fabric store. We were always surrounded by fabric,” says Sevadjian, owner of Jan Sevadjian Designs in Dallas.
This affection for textiles formed the foundation of the designer’s future.
Children’s Boutique Offers Organic Mattresses, Bedding
Midland, TX – When Terri Schroeta’s children, Maddi, now 10, and Major, 6, were younger, as a new mom she wanted only fire retardant items in her home.
Cash Mobs Boosting Business in Cleveland Hts., Shaker Hts.
Cleveland, OH – With the current state of the economy, some small mom-and-pop stores have been struggling to sell products and increase profit. But with a recent trend of cash mobs, these stores have been receiving a boost in income thanks to the local communities.
Andrew Samtoy, an attorney who works for the Painesville law firm Dworken and Bernstein Co., is credited with helping create the national sensation of cash mobs.
Global Artists Return to Dallas for International Folk Art Market Collection
Artists and artisan groups from 18 countries will showcase one-of-a-kind artworks reflective of their traditional cultures during the International Folk Art Market Collection (June 19-23, 2013), a featured part of the Dallas Temp Show. This is the third year the Collection has been presented during the summer Market and will be located on the World Trade Center, 1st floor.
Summer Las Vegas Market Registration Now Open
Registration for the upcoming Summer 2013 Las Vegas Market, taking place July 29 – August 2, is now open at www.lasvegasmarket.com/register.
Retailers and designers planning to attend the Summer 2013 Las Vegas Market are encouraged to register in advance of the show to ensure receipt of all pertinent market information, including new resources and showrooms, networking events and the latest trends and exclusive offers from exhibitors. Registration can also be completed via telephone by calling the registration customer service line at 866-229-3574.
New Gift Shop Features Locally-made Goods
Minneapolis, MN – Doodle Bird Design + Gifts, which opened on May 10 in South Minneapolis, focuses on locally made goods.
Owner Kristin Knych, who is also a graphic designer, says she went that route because, “There’s so much talent out there, that I wanted space to showcase it.” She sells everything from soap to pottery from artists around the state.
Boutique Offers What Women Want
Tampa, FL – Lori Werner and Kim Davis can spot a confused husband from a mile away.
Lori Werner, co-owner of Simply Elegant in Westchase, and staff member Kim Davis know that their shop, which sells high-end boutique products, is a target for husbands who are looking for the perfect gift. That’s even though the husbands don’t know the difference between Vera Bradley and Brighton.
Stay Cool This Summer with New coolgearcan from Cool Gear International
In time for the hot days and fun outdoor activities of summer, Cool Gear International, a global leader in housewares and hydration products, today announced the launch of its new coolgearcan™ to help keep beverages refreshingly cold. Inspired by the popular aluminum can shape and driven by the company’s commitment to sustainability and healthy living, the coolgearcan™ is a double-wall insulated beverage container with a spill-poof sliding closure, created for the on-the-go lifestyle.
Aurora Releases Over 150 Holiday Themed Products
Aurora World, Inc. (www.auroragift.com)today announced the release of its 2013 Holiday catalog featuring more than 150 original and licensed holiday-themed plush toys, dolls and gifts. Aurora expanded its core, best-selling lines including Sea Sparkles, YooHoo & Friends and PomPom Penguins and revealed the highly anticipated, 2,400-piece limited edition Raggedy Ann doll, “Ginger ‘n Spice.”
“We are pleased to introduce Aurora’s most dynamic and exciting holiday product offering to date,” says Michael Kessler, Aurora’s SVP of sales and marketing.
Checkerboard, Leading Fine Stationery Manufacturer, Receives Eleventh LOUIE Award
Checkerboard Ltd., one of America’s leading stationery and invitation manufacturers announced today that it received its eleventh LOUIE Award, the greeting card industry’s equivalent of the Academy Awards. The company had three products named as finalists, and took home top honors in the General Invitation Below $3.50 category, with its unique and whimsical ‘Special Event’ invitation.
This bright grenadine-red invitation, printed in any ink color, looks like a giant vintage ticket to the most exciting event of the year!