Archives: News
Hot New Valentine Gift Line
Flowers and candy are traditional gifts to give on Valentine’s Day. But a unique gift that will warm your sweetie’s heart –– from head to toe–– is the Hot Cherry® therapeutic pillow. http://www.hotcherrypillows.com
These pillows are filled with cherry pits that, when warmed a few minutes in the microwave, deliver moist heat with a subtle aroma of cherry pie. The pits, which usually end in a landfill, are cleaned and dried without chemicals and repurposed for their ability to comfort, relax, relieve aches and pains, and to warm beds.
Art in the Alley Home Opens on Superior Street
Duluth, MN – Another business is setting up shop, two shops actually, in Downtown Duluth. In what’s quickly becoming a magnet for the arts, owners of “Art in the Alley Home” are hoping to cash in on what they say is a growing trend in the Northland.
“It just feels right. You can feel the energy. You can feel it literally growing before you,” said Tammi LaPole Edmunds, owner of Art in the Alley. “There is no other place to be.”
Just a few short months after Tammi LaPole Edumunds brought her shop, Art in the Alley to Duluth, another shop has opened up, just across the street.
Leiper’s Fork Shop Expands to Spot in Mall
Nashville, TN – A locally-owned shop in the quiet community of Leiper’s Fork is branching out with a second location, this one within the hustle and bustle of the CoolSprings Galleria.
Bethany Reiser, owner of The Laurel Leaf, has a five-year lease with the mall to bring her collection of fashion, jewelry, art and home decor to shoppers there.
Work from Global Artisans Comes to Temple Terrace
Temple Terrace, FL – Barbara Cloud-Weisman is living her dream.
The retired exceptional childhood education teacher has opened Silver Linings, an eclectic-type retail shop at 10931 N. 56th St.
Design Icon Award Celebrates Alexa Hampton at Winter Las Vegas Market
For her hallmark blending of classic-meets-comfort, Alexa Hampton of Mark Hampton LLC received the Design Icon award today, presented by International Market Centers and Las Vegas Design Center during Winter Las Vegas Market, Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 2013.
Sleek, Simple, and Sustainable: The Calibowl Wins “Green House” Design Award in 2013 Housewares Design Awards Competition
Honoring eco-responsible innovation, the 2013 Housewares Design Awards competition has awarded its coveted “Green House” Design Award to the Simple Wave Calibowl Non-Spill 5-Piece Iconic Mixing Bowl Set, “a Better Bowl for a Better Planet.”
Designed, manufactured and assembled in the United States, these colorful bowls are made with a non-toxic, BPA-free, recycled plastic that is also 100% recyclable.
Alex and Ani “Best Friends” Bangle to Benefit American Heart Association
Alex and Ani’s philanthropic division, Charity by Design, has extended its relationship with the American Heart Association to re-launch the “Best Friends” charm set of two expandable wire bangles on February 1st. Since the collaboration began in February of 2012, Alex and Ani has donated more than $200,000 to the American Heart Association with 20% of the sales from each bangle set going directly to the organization, which works to promote the energy, passion and power necessary to fight heart disease.
“Representative of loyalty, happiness and infinity, the Best Friends bang
Winter Fancy Food Show Breaks Records
The Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco ended last week on a high note with record attendance for the third year in a row and the largest exhibit space in its 38-year history.
The international trade event attracted more than 18,600 buyers from top names in retailing and restaurants who made connections with 1,300 exhibitors representing the latest in specialty foods and beverages from across the U.S. and 35 countries and regions.
Winter Las Vegas Market Reveals Top Interior Trends for 2013-2014
Look for invention, function, romance and hybrids as standout interior trends for the coming years, according to Greg Dunlop, global director of WGSN-Homebuildlife. Dunlop shared his insider forecast for at Winter Las Vegas Market during the “Fast Forward: A Future View of Interior Trends” seminar Wednesday, January 30.
Emerald, Named Pantones 2013 Color of the Year, Combines Reality and Fantasy in Fresh Color Palettes
Look for invention, function, romance and hybrids as standout interior trends for the coming years, according to Greg Dunlop, global director of WGSN-Homebuildlife.
Uh-Oh! Zombie Alert at Booth 6269
IMDb says ” , the world’s most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content, Forget vampires, zombies are taking over the movie screens in 2013. Why are zombies the new “It” monsters?” th With the much anticipated Walking Dead series 3 and the Walking Dead Survival Instinct for Xbox due out in March the returning to TV February 10 zombie trend seems like it’s just getting started. Not to mention that there are five Zombie- themed movies slated to hit the big screen in 2013 including Brad Pitt’s World War Z and R.I.P.D.
Whiteakers Open Blossom and Briar in New Location
Oroville, WA – Tim and Cenah Whiteaker have purchased the Blossom and Briar floral and gift shop and moved it’s location to the former Emporium building north of Oroville.
“We are a complete floral store with fresh cut flowers and arrangements, stems, green plants, flowering plants, flower bulbs and silks,” said Cenah Whiteaker. “We have a variety of gifts as well as chocolate and 27 flavors of taffy, including sugar free.”
The couple also plans on opening a green house in the spring with flowers and hanging baskets.
Gift Shop Draws Customers to Flushing
Flushing, NY – If you want to know why small businesses offer something that cannot be found at malls and shopping outlets, take a trip to Pippy and Lily, a fashion accessory and home decor boutique along a quaint commercial strip in Flushing.
The store, at 161-05 29th Ave., only opened in November but its hardwood floors, fireplace and smart furniture make it seem like the shop has somehow been transported to Queens after existing for decades in Europe.
The owner, Anita Manfredonia, had always wanted to open up her own shop, but after a career in the big-box retail industry, she
EX•TRACTS Best New Product Awards Presented at NYIGF
Six companies were presented with EX•TRACTS® Best New Product Awards today, with Mosaiq receiving “Best of Show” honors for Mosaiq Fragranced Candles & Diffusers. EX•TRACTS, one of 10 divisions of the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), runs through today at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Additional EX•TRACTS awards are presented in five categories: Bath & Body, Beauty Accessory, Cosmetic & Fragrance, Natural/Organic and Packaging.
Treasures Gift Shop a Sales Jewel
Beachwood, OH – When Sally Rubinoff heads to the Mandel JCC, she tucks her membership card and a blank check in her bag. “After I finish my physical therapy exercises, I stop by Treasures Gift Shop for my retail therapy,” quipped the Beachwood resident.
From Sunday, Feb. 3 through Friday, Feb. 8, Rubinoff, a regular shopper, plans to make frequent trips to Treasures, she said. In honor of the shop’s 20th anniversary, Mary Ellen Saltzman, its volunteer manager and founder, is running a blowout sale featuring 20 years of accumulated inventory.
Small Business Resolutions: Lil Bit of Posh
Occoquan, VA – Maria Sinnott of Lil Bit of Posh in Occoquan has made a name for herself in the small town with her focus on friendly customer service. In 2013, she wants to take customer service at the clothing and accessories shop to the next level.
The center stand in the store will now be full of ready-to-go gift bags.
“Everybody has a very hectic schedule,” Sinnott said. Customers may sometimes miss special events because they don’t have time to go out and buy a gift. “People can just come here, and they’re going to find unique gifts.”
Heights Craft Stores Foster ‘Shop Local’ Effort
Houston, TX – Some Heights shops are basing their businesses on support of local artists and artisans eager to take advantage of the community’s eclectic retail climate and high-end clientele.
Sparrow and the Nest and Roundtable Goods both opened recently in the neighborhood, adding to veteran stores like Hello Lucky that support local residents who create products ranging from dog collars to oil paintings.
Kenneth Stallman, president of the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce, said such entrepreneurs prefer to establish where there is a precedent for success in their parti
Modern Bird: From Home-Made to Boutique
Philadelphia, PA – When Laura Flavin moved to Philadelphia with her husband in 2009, she didn’t originally plan on opening her own store for Modern Bird.
Flavin, a silversmith who creates and sells her own jewelry at her Germantown Avenue boutique, got her start selling her creations on Etsy.com.
America The Beautiful Country Store Opens in Collinsville
Collinsville, CT – The eclectic mix of commerce and culture that makes Collinsville unique was joined by America The Beautiful Country Store last week, offering Amish-made hardwood furniture and home decor, candles, pottery and other items.
“We’re a different kind of furniture store,” said Greg Wasoka, 33, co-owner of the shop with Kellee Abramczyk, a preschool teacher in Burlington. “I feel very proud of the products we sell. In this day and age, when more and more furniture makers are moving to China, it’s important to think about where your purchases come from.