Archives: News
The Chocolate Ladies Share The Sweet Life
Talbott, TN – Satisfy your sweet tooth with homemade chocolates and candies from The Chocolate Ladies.
Rita Key, co-owner
Name/product: The Chocolate Ladies
Location: 107 Lakeshore Road, Talbott, Tenn.
Contact: www.thechocolateladies.com, 423-736-0640
Number of employees: Two
How did your company get started? I always enjoyed making candy and working with chocolate. Then, I started teaching chocolate-making classes.
40-Yr-Chocolatier Harbor Sweets’ New Salt & Ayre Chocolates Launches at Summer Fancy Food Show, Booth 4809
Save the Date! The chocolate makers at Harbor Sweets® are launching a new contemporary collection, Salt & Ayre™ this June at the Summer 2013 Fancy Food Show in New York, booth 4809. Salt & Ayre is Harbor Sweets’ first new line since 2001, and was inspired by conversations with loyal customers and with company friend/eminent cookbook author Lora Brody.
Kravet to Open New Showroom at Las Vegas Design Center
International Market Centers is proud to announce Kravet as the latest design leader to join the compelling roster of open-daily showrooms located at Las Vegas Design Center.
Dallas Grows Total Housewares & Gourmet Market
Dallas Market Center, the most convenient and easy-to-shop marketplace, will feature an array of exhibitors, special events, cooking and product demonstrations as well as educational opportunities featuring a presentation by Bob Coviello, president of HTI Buying Group, during the upcoming Total Housewares & Gourmet Market, June 19-25.
Steph’s Stuff Finds New Home For Its Toys
East Hampton, NY – After 18 years on Newtown Lane in East Hampton Village, Steph’s Stuff has moved, but not too far away.
The toy store and gift shop is now located in a bright, airy space on The Circle, next to Blue & Cream and behind Chase Bank. Most recently home to Nancy & Co., the 1,100-square foot space allows the East Hampton staple more space for more goodies for kids and big kids, alike.
“I think the biggest difference in this store is the room to expand. I can carry things I just couldn’t carry before,” said Stephanie Tekulsky, the owner.
We’re Spending More on Mom this Mother’s Day, Retail Groups Say
This Mother’s Day, moms are getting more love than last year—sometimes even from those who aren’t their children.
Ninety-two percent of Americans plan to celebrate Mother’s Day this year, according to a survey conducted by Brand Keys.
“This is your mom you’re talking about,” said Brand Keys founder and president Robert Passikoff. “There’s a very big emotional connection.”
Local Business Spotlight: Aurora Rose, A Unique Boutique
Lemont, IL – Name: Kim and Amber Peters
Company: Aurora Rose, A Unique Boutique
Title: Owners
Location: Lemont
Founded: 2011
How did the business come to be?
Handcrafted items have always been a part of our lives. When the economy caused us both to be faced with major career changes we started to explore the option of creating our own business. We were fortunate to know a number of other handcrafters and have come to know so many others who see our vision and are working with us to reach their dreams as well.
It’s Not Just Small Business Week, It’s a Movement
Philadelphia, PA – There is nothing small about the giant impact small businesses have on our region. Small businesses are the lifeblood of Greater Philadelphia’s local economy, and play an instrumental role in our region’s economic success.
Specialty Food Association Launches New Brand for the Industry
The Specialty Food Association is launching a new brand to highlight the passion, creativity and quality that fuels the specialty food industry, Specialty Food: Craft. Care. Joy. The launch includes the not-for-profit trade association’s first-ever advertising campaign.
The branding effort started earlier this year with a name change for the Association, formerly the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc. (NASFT).
Hand-Fashioned Ornaments
“Queen Beez” glass ornaments from Jootz LLC are hand-painted and -decorated, using feathers, beads, ribbons, faux fur, and other whimsical materials. Introduced to retailers nationally at the 2013 NY International Gift Fair, the line is divided into six categories: bridal; pastels; royalty; celebrations; silver/gold; and, traditional (holiday).
The celebrations category includes: Valentine’s; St. Patty’s; Mardis Gras; Easter/Spring; Kentucky Derby; Birthday; Graduation; Halloween and others.
Best Selection on The Beach: Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Returns December 8-11, 2013
The nation’s largest, longest-running coastal souvenir, resort gift show, the Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show, returns December 8-11, 2013 to South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach Convention Center.
California Market Center Sets Dates for Winter 2014 Gift & Home Market
The California Market Center (CMC), the West Coast’s epicenter of fashion/gift/home and design has chosen the dates of Tuesday, January 21 to Monday, January 27, 2014 to hold its major Winter 2014 Gift & Home Market, it was announced by Gerry Seibel, Vice President of New Business Development for CMC.
“Originally the dates for the winter 2014 show were set for mid-January 2014, at all three locations which make up the L.A. Gift Market. However, these dates were recently changed to the very last week of January and into February 2014, putting the L.A.
Monty Bojangles Cocoa Dusted Truffles to Debut In America
Monty Bojangles, the United Kingdom’s fastest growing premium and all-natural French double cocoa dusted truffles are coming to the United States. The company will introduce four contemporary truffle flavors to start: “Rich & Intensely Chocolatey,” “Crumbly & Soft Cookie,” “Flirty & Fruity Orange,” and “Sea Salt Infused Toffee.” All flavors are GMO free, all-natural and do not use corn syrup, hydrogenated oils or preservatives. Each premium truffle is double dusted with a generous coat of exquisite bitter sweet cocoa.
Jennifer Mascari Spearheads L.A. Mart As New Director of Marketing
L.A. Mart® is pleased to announce its recent hire of Jennifer Mascari who will spearhead L.A. Mart’s marketing team as the new director of marketing. Mascari joined the LA team on May 1st and will direct the execution of strategic marketing and communications initiatives, media relations and steward the forward thrust of L.A. Mart and L.A. Mart Design Center. Mascari also is charged with continuing the momentum created by the renaming of the gift & home markets now known as GALLA, Give and Live LA.
Mascari holds a B.S.
Michael Aram Creating One-of-a-Kind Sculpture for Lobby of Las Vegas Markets Building C
Celebrated metalware designer Michael Aram is creating an exclusive sculpture —”HOME”— to grace the lobby of the new “c-ONE” cross category showcase of directional tabletop, gift and home resources debuting at the Summer 2013 Las Vegas Market, July 29 to August 2, 2013.
The sculpture is modeled on a gift composition by Aram — the Nest Egg Keepsake — but is on a far larger scale, and has taken approximately four months to complete. The sculpture features a bird’s nest crafted of oxidized bronze twigs cradling three eggs finished in 24K gold-plated bronze.
Mole Hole Glad to Be Back in Spotlight
Charlotte, NC – Marty Medlin was stunned: The notice said she had three months to vacate the space.
She’d run her specialty gift shop franchise, The Mole Hole, for 25 years in that spot, beside the Talbots on Morrison Boulevard in SouthPark.
But when Talbots, an anchor store for the retail center Specialty Shops on the Park, needed to expand, The Mole Hole occupied the spot they needed. Left with no choice, in 2003, Medlin sold off her inventory, closed up shop and put her displays in a storage unit.
A Pembroke Boutique Store With an Artistic Twist
Pembroke, MA – Boston’s South End, Newbury Street and Harvard Square were just a few of the shopping hot spots Gretchen Jones frequented while living in Boston during her 20s and 30s.
Though her taste called for expensive brands and high-quality furnishings, as a young professional her wallet could not support her appetite.
With limited funds, the twenty-something took to the Boston neighborhoods for thrift shop “finds” to outfit her closet and home for a fraction of the cost.
Unique Gifts to Be Found at Two Blessings
Montgomery, AL – The creator of the Faceless Angels line has opened Two Blessings Gift Boutique in the PepperTree shopping center in east Montgomery.
Donnie Sasser offers not only the Faceless Angels items available in more than 500 stores nationwide, but also an abundance of unique gifts, he said, adding that the business is stocked with many ideas for mothers and graduates on their upcoming big day.
Sasser said the 1,500 square foot store located between Chappy’s Deli and PepperTree Steaks and Wines offers a selection rare for the River Region.
Years of Beads and Things: Ann Goessel Celebrates More Than a Quarter Century in Business
Fairbanks, AK – Many people would likely miss Beads and Things on Second Avenue, but in July Athabascan store owner Ann Goessel is celebrating her store’s 26th year in business.
Goessel and her clerk and manager, Denise Hardesty, said it is a strong Alaska Native customer base that helps them survive tough times.
“They come in during the hard times and buy things up, Christmas and during times when tourist season dies down. They buy things up and keep us going,” Hardesty said. They said it’s not just Natives, but local people who help too.
Specialty Food Association Names Outstanding Retailers of 2013
Five specialty food retailers from across the U.S. have been named Outstanding Retailers of 2013 by the Specialty Food Association. The awards honor outstanding customer service, product sourcing, merchandising, and a commitment to serving the local community.
The award-winning retailers are feast!, Charlottesville, Va.; Lazy Acres Market, Santa Barbara, Calif.; Oliver’s Market, Cotati, Calif.; Shady Maple Farm Market, Lancaster, Pa.; and Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Shop, Thomasville, Ga.