Archives: News
With More Space, Southern Charm Hopes to Grow
Cary, NC – Last fall, gifts crafted by local artists filled every spot of the floor and walls in Southern Charm Gift Boutique at Cary Towne Center.
Owner Noreen Bartley finally had to turn away vendors. Now, Southern Charm is in a new spot at the mall that has nearly double the space.
“We weren’t going to move because it’s a goldmine being next to Hallmark,” Bartley said. “But we were busting at the seams, and I really wanted a bigger store.”
DIFFA Offers Matching Grant for Donations Supporting 2013 AIDS Walk New York
Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home-décor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced today that DIFFA, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, will match grants made to Gift for Life in support of the 2013 AIDS Walk New York. Gift for Life is partnering with the National Stationery Show to participate in the charity fundraiser in New York City on Sunday, May 19, the opening day of the Show.
Announcement from Caffco International
While many manufacturers are slimming down and holding back on new product introductions from the unsettled market conditions; Caffco International is continuing to expand. Caffco has recently partnered with The Biltmore Company, to be the distributor of Biltmore Inspirations®, a broad assortment of tableware, home décor and wine accessory designs.
Biltmore Inspirations is an ideal opportunity for our customers to build additional business with an established brand,” said Robert More, Director of Marketing at Caffco.
Design Matters at Device in Laguna Beach
The owner and curator of CES contemporary, Carl E. Smith, is shaking things up in Laguna Beach with his next show, titled Device, opening Saturday, April 20th, 2013. Device is an objects show, bringing together several designers who are at the forefront of the contemporary movement in their respective disciplines. The featured work will transcend several genres of design, including fine art, industrial design, and jewelry design.
Co-founder of Cerno Bret Englander radiated excitement as he spoke about the significance of this show.
Ruffle Totes are all the Rage at Douglas
The spotlight feature on the Douglas runway this year is the Christine Clarke Kidz Fashion Collection, and the newest Ruffle Totes are making a statement in a huge way.
These 8″ tote-style bags that host layers upon layers of frilly fun are super cute, and they are totally an original design. Each two handled bag is fully functional and is the perfect size for those must-have go-everywhere items that little girls need. There are 15 Ruffle Tote styles in all and 13 of them are brand new to the collection!
Mimoco and UGLYDOLL Announce Big Toe MIMOBOT Flash Drive
Mimoco (www.mimoco.com), makers of the MIMOBOT® line of designer USB flash drives, once again partners with Pretty Ugly to announce a brand-new character in the UGLYDOLL x MIMOBOT line: Big Toe MIMOBOT, available in up to 128GB and in USB 3.0 capabilities. The busybody character-inspired MIMOBOT USB flash drive comes preloaded with bonus Mimory™ and the MimoDesk™ personalization suite of wallpapers, icons, and avatars.
Big Toe MIMOBOT is a know-it-all; his job is super easy when he has all your data on board.
MHS Licensing to Introduce Artist Marcie St. Clair at 2013 Surtex and Licensing Tradeshows
MHS Licensing will be introducing artist Marcie St. Clair at the upcoming Surtex Show (booth #535) and Licensing International Expo (booth #F33).
Marcie St. Clair lives by the mantra, “A smile is worth gold!” and that positive attitude and energy is reflected in her artwork through bright colors, encouraging messages and an unexpected visual perspective. Her fresh designs reinforce her belief that a happy soul is more important than anything.
All of St. Clair’s talents and skills come together in the home décor consignment store she owns.
Rhode Island Novelty (RINCO) Acquires Mistco, Inc.
Rhode Island Novelty (RINCO), the nation’s largest supplier of amusement toys and novelties to both businesses and consumers, announced today that it has acquired Mistco, Inc., a leading full service supplier offering an extensive line of quality jewelry, gifts, custom souvenirs, and novelties to zoos, aquariums, museums, and resort based gift shops throughout the Americas and Caribbean markets.
Based in Miami, Florida, Mistco prides itself on providing an extensive line of unique products and outstanding customer service since 1959.
Boutique owner Finds Calling With New Shop
Sumter, SC – It may have been a winding road, but Hayden Hayes Boutique owner Chrystal Mims said she has finally found her calling.
“This is what I dreamed of doing,” she said, sitting amid racks of clothing in the shop off North Guignard Drive. “I’ve always had an obsession with clothes and shoes.”
Hayden Hayes Boutique offers a variety of clothing options from casual wear to semi-formal, as well as handbags, jewelry and other accessories. The boutique also has maternity and plus-size clothing.
New Gift Shop to Feature Michigan-Made Products
Ypsilanti, MI – Call it a revolution. Businesses like Starbucks and McDonalds are found on almost every street corner in the U.S. and expand throughout the globe to locations such as China and Japan. The Eyrie, founded by Janette Rook, is a store that goes against the grain as it remains un-globalized and is completely based on Michigan-made products.
“This is the kind of store that I’ve wanted to shop at for a while,” Rook said.
The Eyrie, located on 9 E. Cross St. in Ypsilanti, can be easily distinguished by its blue awning and green door.
Launch Weekend Success for New High Street Shop
Harborough, UK – An opening weekend at a new home furnishings store on Harborough’s High Street proved a great success.
Anne Barber has opened In Heaven at Home at number 30 High Street – formerly home to Anne Karin Interiors.
The shop sells a lifestyle collection one-off furniture pieces, co-ordinated kitchen ranges, scented candles, room fragrances and glass vases as well as gift-wrap and cards.
New Gift Kiosk Now Open at Concord Visitors Center
Concord, MA – With Concord Hand Designs soon closing its doors Concord residents, visitors and the volunteers who work at the Concord Visitor Center have been asking, “Where will we go for Concord gifts and souvenirs?”
The answer is, the Concord Visitor Center.
Starting April 8, Marie Foley has been stocking a kiosk in the center with items from her new business, Revolutionary Concord.
Success Story: Sunny Fort Myers Clothing Shop Still grows
Fort Myers, FL – Kal Bhatnager has grown her Florida-focused boutique by listening to customers.
When opening Cotton Daze in August of 2011, she mainly had cotton clothing and a variety of sundresses and skirts. Then, she realized her customers wanted more. So she started offering different items and fabrics, like linen, rayon and gauze.
“We were listening to our customers and adding based on what we were listening to,” she said.
Small Local Businesses Can Compete with Online Retailers
Every owner of a small retail business in America has had this happen: Customers walk into your store, check out your merchandise, then go online to buy the items more cheaply.
They try on shoes to see if they fit, spend 30 minutes getting help choosing the right camera, bombard your salesperson for details about different skis. They politely thank you, check their smart phones to see the price at an online retailer and walk out the door.
You know it’s happening and you hate it, but what can you do to counter this widespread practice?
Boutique Brings High Fashion to Alexandria
Alexandria, IN – Name of business: Bella Ava Studio & Designs
Location: 301 N. Harrison Street, Alexandria
Owner: Beth Cannell
Opened: September 2012
Douglas Baby’s PlayTivity is a Hoot!
Fun colorfully patterned materials with many textures that soothe, comfort and stimulate play is what PlayTivity® from Douglas Baby is all about. The very latest Owl style is quite a hoot, and the newest activity blocks are super cool!
When baby or toddler needs to take along a friend for play and comfort the PlayTivity® Owl Cuddle Pal at 10″ tall is all kinds of fun in primary colors on a slate gray background. His bright yellow left wing crinkles and has a plastic teething ring attached with tiny balls that move throughout the tubing.
New Gift Shop to Open in Fort Thomas
Fort Thomas, KY – For Fort Thomas resident Barb Thomas, giving a gift is about more than just spending money on someone.
The thought and consideration that goes into picking out the perfect item is what Thomas refers to as the “art of giving.”
This summer, Thomas is bringing that art to Fort Thomas by opening Fort Thomas Central, a one-stop gift connection offering a variety of items for all occasions.
Local Mob Guilty of Organized Commerce
Richmond, VA – A local mob is still adding muscle after its first year.
The RVA Patronage Mob, which recruits shoppers to bombard a different local business every three weeks, has helped drive more than $24,000 in sales to 20 retailers since kicking off 13 months ago. And now it has a bank at its back.
“When I first started, I kept thinking the hype would wear off and that it would eventually die down,” said Rainey Niklawski, the group’s founder. “That hasn’t been the case at all.”