Archives: News
Holiday Shopping Worth Celebrating
Denton, TX – Who would have thought colorful LED finger lights at $2.75 would be so popular during the holidays?
“We always have one thing that flies off the floor, and last year it was color fingers laser LED lights,” said Beth Klein, co-owner of Sleeping Lizzards, a gift shop located off the Square on Elm Street.
Klein said she and her business partner, Roxane Clark, had a great holiday sales season, which she attributed in part to the weather.
“More people started coming in when the weather got colder,” Klein said.
Pet Boutique Helps Humans Repay Gift of Love
Wisconsin Rapids, WI – “Dirty dogs have more fun!”
So says a sweatshirt designed for “man’s best friend,” and cheerily displayed by Colleen Geishart, owner of the small (300-square feet) but filled-with-charm BowWow Meow. The Wisconsin Rapids pet boutique opened for business Nov. 5.
As its name suggests, BowWow Meow caters to dogs and cats, and the pet-loving humans they support.
Century Hall Provides Incentive to Shop Local
Bay St. Louis, MI – As shoppers enter Century Hall in Old Town Bay St. Louis, they are welcomed by Boo Boo, the shop’s personal greeter and mixed breed puppy.
“Boo Boo is the most important part of this building,” said Vicki Niolet, co-owner of Century Hall.
Boo Boo directs customers into three levels of shopping in an historic, refinished building on South Second Street that was purchased by Niolet, her husband Doug and her mother, Ann Tidwell, just 10 days before Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.
“We had to remodel the entire building,” Vicki said.
A.R.T. Furniture Relocating Showroom at Las Vegas Market
Case goods and upholstery source A.R.T. Furniture is moving to a new showroom in space B-1001 for the Winter Las Vegas Market being held Jan. 28 to Feb. 1.
“We’ve very excited about the move,” said Jeff Cook, CEO of A.R.T. Furniture. “We’ll be right in the heart of the furniture action on a floor that generates great traffic. Being in Building B will make it easier for our existing customers to visit us and it also will help us reach new accounts that we’re not currently serving.”
At the Winter Market, A.R.T.
Accent on Design Brings Influx of New Home Resources to NYIGF
An influx of cross-category home resources – a mix of furniture, lighting, textiles and tabletop products – will be presented by 12 companies newly juried into Accent on Design® at the winter 2013 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®). This juried collection of nearly 200 contemporary and innovative product suppliers, representing all gift, home, and lifestyle categories, runs Sunday, January 27, through Wednesday, January 30, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Roman Inc. to Mark 50th Anniversary in Dallas
Dallas Market Center today announced that Roman Inc. will celebrate its 50th anniversary during the Total Home & Gift Market, Jan. 16-22, 2013. Roman, located in 4-450, World Trade Center, has exhibited at the Dallas Market Center since 1975.
Roman, Inc. is a leading producer and exclusive distributor of more than 8,000 gifts and decorative accessories. Among the largest privately owned and operated firms in the industry, Roman offers a vast array of Christmas decorations and a wide range of inspirational, special occasion and year-round giftware.
Shop Owner Knits Social Conscience into Sandy Hook Blanket Project
Batavia, NY – Karen Crittenden’s personal motto is well represented in her first city business venture.
She wants her endeavors to have a social conscience.
“It’s important to me that the dollars do something and it’s not just going out there and feeding greed,” she said at Karen’s Yarn Paper Scissors at 39 Jackson St. “It needs to feed the need and not the greed.”
Lib Cummings Mead “Calling All Reindeer” to Gallerie II
The well-known, multi-media artist Lib Cummings Mead is introducing her designs at Gallerie II for the first time. She has designed a Christmas collection depicting Santa napping as his busy elves and pet mice knit the Christmas stockings. Pops of holiday red compliment bright green, pastel pink and lavender, reminiscent of old-fashioned holiday candies. Mixed media with thoughtful details like yarn trim and sparkly embellishments complete the story.
Lib Cummings Mead describes her creative process as “inspired by attic treasures and the simple warmth of Christmases past.
PMI Adds Walt Disney Classics Collection to its Disney Portfolio
Disney enthusiasts heap praise on the enchanting Disney Showcase Collection line and the equally fabulous co-branded Disney and Precious Moments line. Now, Precious Moments, Inc. is adding the Walt Disney Classics Collection.
This archival and true to the moment 3D recreation of Disney’s most memorable film moments will soon appear on a diverse product selection.
Colonial Candle Featured in Martha Stewart Weddings
Colonial Candle, national brand leader in premium candles and accessories, proudly announces its pillar candles are featured in the cover story of Martha Stewart Weddings Winter 2013 issue.
A preview to the story is available on the Martha Stewart Weddings website and the Winter 2013 issue is now available on newsstands.
“We’re honored and excited to have Colonial Candle featured in Martha Stewart Weddings,” says Beth Sturm, Colonial Candle director of brand development.
Serving Slabs, Colorado’s Most Unique Green Products, Expands Nationally at Dallas Market in January 2013
Serving Slabs continues to grow exponentially since conception in 2011. In 2013, Serving Slabs will offer exclusive wholesale agreements to a national audience, expanding from a previously predominant Colorado retail base. Created by Derrick Neikam, the company hand crafts elegant and unique home décor items from reclaimed granite countertops. The company creates many items including; cutting boards, lazy susans, serving trays, candle holders and business card holders. All of these items are hand-made/USA made, one-of-a-kind conversation pieces.
Gift Shop Plans Two New Locations
Louisville, KY – A small, locally owned gift shop has big plans for the new year. It will soon double the size of its operation.
J.D. Dotson has operated Regalo on Barret Avenue in the Highlands for almost 11 years.
“Regalo means gifts in Italian and Spanish,” explains Dotson who says his store has something for just about everyone.
“If you need something for your sweet little grandmother, or your obnoxious roommate, or a little kid, we’ve got it covered,” says Dotson
Tervis Puts on the Southern Charm with Special Guest Bobby Deen
Tervis is having a party, “ya’ll!” The leader in insulated drinkware kicks off The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market® with a soirée featuring one of America’s favorite southern sons, Bobby Deen. Deen is the son of Paula Deen, who has risen to fame in the culinary arena as manager of The Lady & Sons in Savannah, Georgia, and host of “Not My Mama’s Meals” currently on the Cooking Channel.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Bobby Deen to our Atlanta showroom,” says Kim Livengood, Tervis PR & Events Manager.
‘Color Me Blessed’ Line Offers Unique Faith Keepsakes
The new “Color Me Blessed” line from Abbey Press, which debuts the first of this year, offers appealing gifts for children receiving the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation. Adorned with kid-friendly patterns and inspirational words, the colorful keepsake gifts are designed to be displayed in children’s rooms as reminders of their Christian faith.
The hardboard wall cross for each sacrament ($12 SRP) has a decoupage-style facing with a Scripture quote on a layered center piece.
New Gift Shop to Support ARC
Plattsburgh, PA – Made By Me is more than a gift shop: It’s a place where people can purchase locally created crafts while supporting a local non-profit organization.
The shop, which appears to be more like a nicely decorated family home than a retail outlet when visitors first enter, is owned and operated by the Advocacy and Resource Center of Clinton County.
“We bought this house (located on Tom Miller Road a half mile beyond Smithfield Blvd.) a year ago and were going to open it as a home for people with disabilities, but there just wasn’t funding for that,” said ARC
Voices of the Valley: Cathie Walz, Owner, Blue Marble, Amherst
Amherst, MA – “This is like a new store every time I come in and each time I love it more! ” “You always help me find the perfect gift for everyone on my list.” “I have to be strong and not buy everything … ” These are the kinds of direct quotes we hear every day.
Our mission is to offer a large range of affordable and unique items that won’t be found in chain stores.
Everything’s ‘Perfect’ at This Lake Forest Store
Lake Forest, IL – What started as a dream at 16-years-old has been Sue Fichter’s reality for the last 13 years.
After retiring from the hustle and bustle of the corporate world, the St. Charles resident opened The Perfect Setting in Geneva, Ill., a home décor, table top and gift shop. She premiered her second location in Lake Forest six years ago and has since owned and operated her own version of paradise.
“I worked at a gift shop in a little town in Michigan when I was 16 and the thought never really left me,” said Fichter.
Massena Merchants Pleased with 2012 Holiday Shopping Season
Massena, NY – The 2012 holiday shopping season was a good one, according to local merchants, who said this year’s sales were the best they’ve been in recent years.
“Our business was excellent,” said Jacquelin J. Sheehan, who together with her husband, John P. “Phil,” owns and operates Phil & Jackie’s gift shop on Main Street. “It was up from last year. People were helping to support the local businesses and most of the time the shopping weather was really good, so that made it easier.”
But Mrs.
The Artful Shopper: Everything at These Shops is Related to Fresh Olive Oils
Naples, FL – Talking shop with Marie Heiland, owner of Naples Olive Oil Company in Naples and Fort Myers.
“All of our products are available for tasting. You want to take your time and taste,” Heiland said.
Naples Olive Oil Company is in the Green Tree Center at 2368 Immokalee Road, Naples, and in Cypress Lake Plaza at 7101-57 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers. The stores are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 596-3000 in Naples and 275-5100 in Fort Myers or visit the naplesoliveoilcompany.com.
Boutique Marks 5 Years in Business Despite Launch on Eve of Great Recession
Ormond Beach, FL – While many businesses tanked during the Great Recession, others took flight, like Purple Dragonfly, a women’s boutique located at Ormond Towne Square shopping center.
Purple Dragonfly, which offers an assortment of trinkets and knick-knacks, such as milk bottles converted into candles and iridescent bubble glass dinnerware, launched in October 2007, two months before the start of the nation’s worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
Gayle Giacobbe and Rebecca Taylor, co-owners of Purple Dragonfly, recently celebrated the store’s five-year anniversar