Archives: News
‘Fairy Hut’ Inspires Couple to Set Up Own Business
Claygate, UK – A COUPLE in Claygate is transforming a derelict hut next to the train station into potentially Britain’s smallest retail shop.
Lesley Cornwall, 44, and Richard McGee, 49, of Oaken Drive, have taken on the two by three metre space to sell bespoke furniture, rare crafts and seasonal gifts.
“We came up with the idea a year ago when we drove past and saw this poor dilapidated building that was falling apart,” said Mr McGee.
“We had a bit of a eureka moment as I’ve worked in building design and landscaping and it looked like a really good opportunity.
Byers’ Choice Illuminates Bucks County Grounds for Christmas 2012
Byers’ Choice, makers of the handcrafted holiday Caroler figurines, is kicking-off the 2012 Christmas season with its annual Grand Illumination event on Sunday, Nov. 4, when the Byers family will illuminate more than 400,000 lights at 5 p.m.
Bucks County residents and local fans can go to the Byers’ Choice Christmas museum starting at noon that day to start taking in the sights and sounds of the season.
Winter 2013 Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market Offers More on Every Level
Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market will offer visitors “more on every level” this winter, with highlights including new and expanded showrooms, debut of a new collection of high-end home décor suppliers on C3 and a completely updated categorization of temporary exhibits into ten distinct, themed product sections including new offerings.
Change of Los Angeles International Textile Show Spring/Summer 14 Dates
WHO: Los Angeles International Textile Show (LA TEXTILE) Spring/Summer 14 Edition
WHAT:California Market Center (CMC) has officially changed dates for the Spring/Summer 2014 Edition of LA TEXTILE. The new dates are Monday – Wednesday, February 25-27, 2013.
About the Los Angeles International Textile Show (LA TEXTILE) – LA Textile is the fashion industry’s destination for premier textile, design and production resources.
Nearly Half of Americans Begin Holiday Shopping Before Halloween, What About You?
Mehlville, MO – Accustomed to pinching pennies thanks to years of economic downturn, holiday shoppers this year will look for ways to cut corners, comparative shop online and even plan to travel less, if not at all, the National Retail Federation said in its annual shopping forecast for the Christmas season.
On average, the NRF expects holiday consumers to spend $749.51 on holiday gifts, decor, greeting cards and more in 2012. That’s more than the $740.57 shoppers actually spent in 2011.
And before you think Patch is reporting on the holiday season, think again.
Edmonds Shop Lending a Helping Hand One Sale at a Time
Edmonds, WA – Nestled behind the backhoes and dump trucks working on Main Street in downtown Edmonds, you will find Fabric of Life. At first glance the shop may not come off as much more than trinkets and pieces of art.
San Carlos Jewelry Boutique Specializes in Originals
El Paso, TX – Buying jewelry at a chain store comes with its perils, whether it’s the risk of bumping into someone wearing your necklace, brand-new bracelets popping or the hidden presence of lead.
Local jewelry maker Sandra Arlette took these issues to heart when she opened her shop in Downtown’s San Carlos building this summer. Every piece at Arlette Accessories is made by hand, tagged with care instructions and thoughtfully gift-wrapped.
Think Small
Holiday shopping ignites on Black Friday, when post-Thanksgiving shoppers mob big-box retail stores at ungodly hours to score major discounts.
The following Cyber Monday offers its own e-commerce steals.
So, what to do on the Saturday in between? Celebrate a relatively new American shopping holiday, of course.
Small Business Saturday, created by American Express in 2010, encouraged more than 100 million shoppers last year to shop at independently owned small businesses.
Drake Gift Shop
Toronto, ON – Taking the traditional hotel gift and souvenir shop archetype and turning it on its head, The Drake Hotel General Store caters to trendy vagabonds while still stocking traveller essentials.
Sure, its’ shelves are littered with Canadiana and Toronto trinkets – but the old-fashioned feel and clever branding make it an oddity on the gift shop front. Out front, the immaculate lettering of the store’s name contrasts with the violet-lit cross, reminiscent of a European apothecary.
Registration and Hotel Bookings for Winter Las Vegas Market Now Open
Registration for the upcoming 2013 Las Vegas Winter Market, held January 28 – February 1, is now open online at lasvegasmarket.com. Attendees can take advantage of “early bird” discounts with select partner hotels if they book by December 6, 2012.
Las Vegas Market features a comprehensive array of home furnishings, home décor and gift resources–- delivering Today’s Total Marketplace for retailers and interior designers.
World-Famous Christmas Caroler Creator Visits Atlanta Region
The Christmas season is quickly approaching and Byers’ Choice, makers of the handcrafted Caroler figurines, is hitting the road to kick off the holiday season for fans who may not be able to make it to the company’s Bucks County, Pa. workshop.
This weekend, Nov. 2 and 3, Jeff Byers, Vice President of Marketing at Byers’ Choice and son of founder Joyce Byers, will be visiting two locations in the Greater Atlanta region for meet-and-greets with fans at select Byers’ Choice retailers.
On Friday, Nov. 2, Byers will visit Parsons in Alpharetta, Ga. from 3—6 p.m.
From Fun to Elegant, Entryways’ New Doormats Will Get Everyone’s Attention
From the clever “DO NOT ENTER” design to the elegance of three birds and branches silhouetted against a rich green background, Entryways’ artists have created a colorful gallery of door and floor mats for the spring and summer 2013 selling seasons.
“There are new designs for those who love a party including one that says ‘Party Animals’ and depicts three dogs and a cat,” says Eirini Kalafatides, Entryways president. “Our artists have created lovely floral designs, one that’s perfect for a beach house and another that would add a very chic touch to an urban setting.
Sloane Ranger Appoints HAP Consulting to Extend Brand through New Licensing Initiatives
Sloane Ranger, a leader in preppy style, has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with boutique NYC licensing agency HAP Consulting.
Sloane Ranger is rapidly growing its consumer base by offering its Prepster American counterparts a modern and trend forward take on classic and iconic styles.
“With a modern take on classic British prep we will bring the Sloane Ranger lifestyle to the American public,” says Maureen Lorr Schmidt, CCO of Sloane Ranger.
HAP Consulting is widely recognized for transforming brands into lifestyle destinations.
A Success: It’s Round Two for the “Solutions” Special Show
Once again, the leading international trade fair Ambiente is focusing on innovations from exhibitors in the table, kitchen and household field. After the successful premiere at Ambiente 2012, London product designer Sebastian Bergne will again curate the special show in the foyer of Hall 4.0. “With ‘Solutions’, functional innovation comes to the forefront and will involve products with a high market relevance that can help consumers in their day-to-day lives. There are clever ideas and further functional developments that we want our buyers to become familiar with.
Alligator Soup Weathers Tough Economy to Mark 30 Years in Business
Las Vegas, NV – It was always known as a fun little shop with the cute name. After three decades, Alligator Soup is still going strong.
“It was quite an emotional day, celebrating 30 years,” said co-owner Sharon Carelli.
Carelli grew up in a family that valued the written note. When she needed wedding announcements, she discovered that Las Vegas offered no such service and she had to go to San Francisco for them.
Hip New Art & Gift Gallery Opens in Royal Oak Thursday
Royal Oak, MI – Oh, by gosh by golly, it’s almost time for mistletoe and holly!
Holly Laginess, creator of the artful designs, By Golly By Holly, will officially open a new art market, Poesy, on Thursday, Nov. 1 just in time for the holiday shopping season.
Poesy, at 1600 Rochester Road, will feature handcrafted creative works from local and national artists including functional art, fine art and photography. Not only will it be a great place to find a gift, but it will also function as the owner’s working studio during off-hours.
Willy’s Wiggly Web Spun Its Magic (Again) With Parent’s Choice Fall 2012 Awards
When children play a game together and not against each other, it’s known as cooperative play. Wonderful things can happen as kids learn to work together for a common obstacle. They share, make decisions together and perhaps, rescue bugs from a spider web! That’s the premise behind Peaceable Kingdom’s Willy’s Wiggly Web. Toy judges from the finicky Parents’ Choice Foundation were so bemused with snipping away at the sticky spider web that they awarded it a Parents’ Choice Foundation Fall 2012 Approved Award.
This is the third honor this fall that Willy’s Wiggly Web has spun.
A Gift Shop Called Home is a Comfort Trip
South Point, OH – One of the best known films of all time was “The Wizard Of Oz” as well as the beloved closing lines that Dorothy spoke when she magically arrived back to her beloved state of Kansas: “Oh Auntie Em, there’s no place like home.”
For most of us, the phrase, no place like home, has become a cliche we use after returning from a vacation, or an extended shopping trip.
Changing Holidays, Changing Displays
Stockton, CA – Cars driving down Alpine Avenue might miss seeing Ciara Gifts & Home Décor, where it sits in a typical commercial building.
On the inside, it’s anything but typical. When people do stop and come in, co-owner Brent Williams says, he wants people to be blown away.
“You have no idea when you walk in the door. You don’t know what you’re going to see,” he said.
Williams, 49, says he tries to create that “wow factor” when he tears down and rebuilds displays with the changing of the seasons. In October, the fall product is out.
Chamber Adds Incentives to ‘Shop Local’ 2012 Campaign
Mineral Wells, TX – The fourth annual Shop Local and Win campaign starts Thursday, offering even more reasons for residents to purchase from community retailers.
According to Beth Henary Watson, executive director of the Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce, 51 businesses are taking part in the program.
To enter, shoppers can pick up a card from any participating merchant. Pretax purchase over $5 from those businesses earn a stamp and a card is complete when a shopper spends a combined $300.