Archives: News
Ill. Community Rallies to Save Treasured Toy Store
Edwardsville, IL – Set off by a purple exterior that would make Barney the Dinosaur beam, the Once Upon a Toy store in Edwardsville always took pride in a hands-on attitude that encouraged children to pluck items off the shelves and give them a whirl in the aisles – all to their heart’s content.
The toy store has been treasured by many of the 24,000 residents of this college town outside St. Louis.
Cash Mobbing Local Stores
Mason City, IA – When Natasha Wright got word of the idea to “Cash Mob” a business, she knew she had to do it.
“We’re all just going to spend money at a locally owned business all at the same time. Trying to give them a little bit of a boost, our local economy a boost, and support our friends and neighbors that own the business support,” said Wright.
Through Facebook people nominated their favorite businesses to be “Cash Mobbed” and after over a month of voting, Orange Possum in Mason City was the lucky one to see the first mob.
NY NOW Announces Winner of Tote Design Competition
Kara Cannon, a product designer living in the greater Portland area, has won the competition to create a new tote bag design for the summer 2013 edition of NY NOW, the Market for Home & Lifestyle (formerly NYIGF®). In addition to winning $1,000, Cannon’s “New York SkyLine” design will be featured on thousands of bags, to be distributed to NY NOW participants this August.
“In collaborating with Red Clay on this design product, we were able to tap into a huge network of talented designers,” said Christian Falkenberg, NY NOW director and GLM senior vice president.
Store Owner Searches for the Eclectic in Art and Clothes
Fort Walton Beach, FL – Nikki Lyons specializes in the unique.
When she opened Artesano Hand Made Jewels three years ago, her goal was to offer customers an eclectic mix of jewelry, pottery, clothing and other artwork they couldn’t find anywhere else.
“We really try to reach out and try to find unique items and artists,” said Lyons, who owns Artesano with her boyfriend Jon Via.
Clevedon Gift Shop Wilfred and Alice Offers Everything From Jewellery and Clocks to Toys and Cards
Clevedon, UK – Family is clearly at the heart of pretty gift shop Wilfred and Alice. The charming Clevedon boutique is the creation of husband and wife team Nathan and Julia Jakeways; Julia’s mother and sister are often found behind the counter; and the shop is named after Julia’s great-grandparents.
I’d been meaning to re-visit this unusual shop for a while, and when I drop by, Julia’s sister Sally Thorne is at the helm.
The Cottage Gets New Look, Merchandise
Severna Park, MD – Those who frequent The Cottage in Park Plaza often have probably noticed that the local shop has a new look, as well as some new products.
On March 3, the Severna Park gift boutique underwent its first complete remodel since the store opened 27 years ago. The new look includes new carpet, a reorganized window stage, new flooring and updated displays.
“We have been here for 27 years and had 27 year old country blue carpet,” said store manager Monica Leisure.
My Sassie’ Boutique: Upscale in Crenshaw Square
Los Angeles, CA – In this shop, you’ll find it’s never to late to be sassy…
“In my shop [we say], ‘sing like nobody’s listening and dance like nobody’s watching,’ and that’s what I consider being sassy,” said My Sassie’ Boutique owner Edna Bordenave.
She opened the shop last year in Crenshaw Square, she said, aiming to help customers “sass up their wardrobes with a little cash.”
First Cash Mob of 2013 Takes Blacksburg’s Heavener
Blacksburg, VA – A small crowd gathered next to St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall on Saturday at precisely 11:02 a.m.
As the sun beat down on the crowd, the first cash mob of the year, they greeted each other warmly, and looked to Laureen Blakemore, director of Downtown Blacksburg Inc., as they awaited instructions.
Heavener Hardware was the first business of 2013 to be hit by the Blacksburg cash mob.
Vera Bradley Baby Collection Now Available
Vera Bradley Designs, Inc. (Nasdaq:VRA) is adding to its family. After nearly 31 years as a handbag, accessory and gift designer and retailer, Vera Bradley is launching a Baby collection. Vera Bradley Baby is now available at Vera Bradley retail stores, participating retail partners, and verabradley.com.
Gift+Home at Las Vegas Winter Market Reports 25% Buyer Growth
Las Vegas, NV – The Winter GIFT+HOME at Las Vegas Market, January 28-February 1, 2013, recorded a surge in buyers from both the U.S. increasing by 25% and international increasing by 45% – over Winter 2012 and making it the most successful market to date.
“Our expansion of resources is bringing more gift and home buyers to Las Vegas and retailers are pleased with both the quality, and the growing quantity of market resources,” said Dorothy Belshaw, president of Gift & Home Décor, International Market Centers.
Garrett Larson Joins Dogeared Jewels & Gifts as Managing Director
Dogeared Jewels & Gifts, a trendsetting fashion brand known for its cool California aesthetic and innovative designs, is delighted to announce that Garrett Larson has joined the company as Managing Director. The company, which has designed and handcrafted jewelry and gifts in Los Angeles for over 21 years, has been making strategic hires within the management team over the past 12 months.
Cutting It: Kuhn Rikon Introduces Classic Snips and Classic Mini Snips for Cooking, Gardening and Crafting
Kuhn Rikon’s new Classic Snips and Classic Mini Snips can cut almost anything, whether for cooking, gardening, crafting or cutting packaging open quickly and easily. Self-sharpening and rust-free, these stainless steel snips are essential tools for any home.
Both models are designed for easy cutting, with their spring-loaded design, ultra sharp shears and serrated lower blades. They are self-sharpening: rubbing the blades together during use sharpens them.
The Classic Snips and Classic Mini Snips feature ergonomic easy-grip handles for left or right-handed use.
Primula Push+Serve 3-Qt. Whistling Kettle: A Better Kettle with Practical Features and Beautiful Matte Colors
The new Primula® Push+Serve 3-Qt. Whistling Kettle creates a focal point at retail with its dazzling array of fashionable color choices in a new matte finish, from classic black and stainless steel to lush hues of marigold and red. Beyond its beauty, the Push+Serve Kettle is designed for maximum performance in heating water for tea, soup and more.
The trigger spout was designed for safety, convenience and ease of use.
Merging of LA Fashion Market and CMC Gift & Home Market Created Exciting Product Mix for Buyers & New Business for Vendors
The Fall 2013 Los Angeles Fashion Market took place March 11-14, 2013, running concurrently with CMC Gift & Home Market, which ran March 10-14, 2013, all at the California Market Center (CMC). New accounts were the predominant reports from many of the CMC’s showrooms and exhibitors of the Market’s featured tradeshows, including SELECT Contemporary Tradeshow, and TRANSIT Footwear & Accessories Show.
Gift For Life & National Stationery Show Team-Up For 2013 AIDS Walk New York
For the second year in a row, Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, has partnered with the National Stationery Show to participate in AIDS Walk New York, a charity fundraiser in New York City on Sunday, May 19 – the opening day of the Show.
Spring into Fashion with Douglas Company
Sassy Kidz Fashion designer Christine Clarke, of Douglas Company, fills her designs with loads of luscious hues and flirty details for all seasons. The spring collection is delightful with pretty pastels, brilliant florals and whimsical patterns that little girls love to love.
As if chocolate floppy eared bunnies weren’t enough to squeal about, how about this Spring Tote holding a chocolate floppy eared bunny by Douglas Company. The tote is covered in giant daisies and sprinkled in spring colors of lime green, tangerine orange, pretty pink and lemon yellow.
Gift Shop Celebrates Irish Heritage for St. Patrick’s Day
Mohegan Lake, NY – The upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebration on March 17 is special for Ashley E. Rooney for various reasons, but even more special because she now has a shop full of Irish gifts and crafts she can showcase.
Rooney is the owner of Celtic Aer Gift Shop, which she opened in October 2010 in Mohegan Lake. Her father Patrick, who was born in Fermanagh County in Ireland, has owned the property which houses the shop for the last 20 years.
“It felt right opening an Irish gift shop,” said Rooney, who had always dreamed of being a business owner.
Shop ‘Just Write’ for York
York, ME – Kerry Flynn, one of York’s newest business owners, said her new card and gift store opened in just the “write” place.
Located in the Long Sands Plaza, Just Write has been bustling since its Feb. 1 opening. That’s primarily, Flynn said, because of the customers who have been sent to the store by neighboring plaza businesses.
This plaza is amazing,” said Flynn, 46.
Pet Shop Purrs Its Way into Wainscott
Wainscott, NY – Dr. Mark Davis opened the doors to a pet supplies store, the newest addition to the South Fork Animal Hospital less than two weeks ago, filling a void left when the pet store next door closed.
The small store carries essentials for dogs, cats, and even small animals, such as rabbits or guinea pigs. Shelves are packed with premium pet food, such as Wellness, Blue Buffalo, Science Diet, Innova, and Eukanuba.