Archives: News
GHTA Confirms New Board at Successful 2012 Conference
The Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA), whose mission is to support, lead, and unify the gift and home industry, focusing on its long term success, confirmed its 2012-2013 Board of Directors during the 10th Annual GHTA Conference, held October 2-4 in Orlando, Florida.
The GHTA’s executive board is as follows: Julie Dix of Justa Bout Any Thangoes, chairman of the board; John Keiser of OneCoast, president; Bob Watson Jr. of Annalee Dolls, vice president; Todd Litzman of Brandwise, treasurer; and Cindy Henry of Wellspring, secretary.
Q&A: Gift Boutique Meets Garden Haven in Eau Gallie Shop
Brevard, FL – Shelly McKinney is on a mission to make Brevard beautiful. The Cocoa Beach native opened Elbow Creek Garden & Gift, named for the former moniker of the Eau Gallie River, nearly two years ago, striving to educate residents about organic products as well as the types of plants that can thrive in Central Florida’s salt and sand. According to the 35-year gardening expert, local landscaping can be so much more than palms and crotons.
Question:How would you describe Elbow Creek Garden & Gift?
McKinney: A gift boutique meets garden haven.
B.Candy Opens New Location Today
Corona Del Mar, CA – Ten weeks after closing a smaller shop down the street, B.Candy opened this morning at 3100 East Coast Highway, selling house-made baked goods and ice creams, gifts and (of course) candy.
“I love these chocolates,” said the first customer, 3-year-old Ryder Thomas, who bounced from pumpkins to lollypops to birthday candles to Spiderman candies.
“He’s been dying for this to open,” said his father, Ramsey Thomas. “He’s been peeking under the tarps, looking at the cupcake. When he saw they were unveiled, he literally ran in.
Screen Printer Seeks to Inspire with New Retail Store
Palmer Township, PA – Schwab Screen Printing is expanding and branching out with a retail store that will concentrate on selling items that inspire.
Ray and Eileen Schwab have opened a second location for their screen printing business. This one is sized to handle smaller custom orders and serves as a more accessible retail location
To take advantage of the retail space the couple has opened Schwab’s Believe Achieve Gifts & Garments at the front of the Palmer Township business, which is located in the Palmer Nursery Building.
Charismatic Kidstuff PR Clientele the “Choice” in Industry Fall Contests
Remember when mom said not to judge a book by its cover? She meant to clarify that. If you see a toy covered with contest accolades, you should buy it! Such is the case with four diverse KidStuff Public Relations clients — Funnybone Toys, HABA, Peaceable Kingdom and The Young Scientists Club — who have achieved status as the best of the best in Toyland having just won 8 industry honors from Parents’ Choice Foundation and Oppenheim Toy Portfolio.
Glowing reviews from seen-it-all toy judges are rare indeed and should be celebrated.
Gourmet & Housewares Momentum Continues for January Market in Atlanta
Gourmet & Housewares continues as one of the fastest-growing segments of the retail landscape. As the nation’s new home for housewares and a long-standing gourmet resource, AmericasMart® features the best-known and respected brand names in the gourmet industry during The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market®, Jan. 9-16, 2013. Temporary exhibits will be open Jan.
Mompreneur Turns Down Global Business to Keep ‘Made in the USA’ Label
When Cathy Berse-Hurley started making her 4-year-old twin boys handmade backpacks for school in 1996, other kids and parents took interest. She soon also began making lunch boxes, and selling her popular animal-themed wares at street and craft fairs, as well as big events like the New York International Gift Fair and New York Toy Fair.
Queen Creek Olive Mill to Open Store at Phoenix’s Biltmore Fashion Park
Phoenix, AZ – Local olive oil producer Queen Creek Olive Mill will open a second retail location next month as part of the Biltmore Fashion Park’s local collective of shops, called Union.
The new store, dubbed Oils & Olives, will include an on-site restaurant called Trattoria del Piero, which will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Queen Creek Olive Mill, known for its locally made extra virgin olive oil and gourmet food products, opened its first retail store and tasting room, Oils & Olives by the Queen Creek Olive Mill, at Kierland Commons in Scottsdale in May.
“Chutney For Your Cheese”
“Chutney for your Cheese”, fantastic on cheeses, just as tasty as a glaze on meats, a condiment served with sausages or cold cuts, as a spread on sandwiches or a topping on burgers. Always delicious as a topping for brie or camembert cheese, try it on a baked brie.
Award-Winning Creativity Destination, “Make Meaning” Launches First-Ever Product Line – Glitter Tattoo Kits
Make Meaning, the award winning destination for fun with creativity announces its first-ever product launch – Glitter Tattoo Kits. Make Meaning Glitter Tattoo Kits are available at all Make Meaning locations including New York City’s Upper East Side and Upper West Side, Scottsdale, Arizona and Dedham, Massachusetts.
Non-toxic and water resistant, the Glitter Tattoo Kits feature dozens of unique stencils and color combinations that offer temporary sparkle for up to seven days.
Book Unlocks Lyn Gift Shop’s History in Lynbrook
Lynbrook, NY – A dusty book found in the attic of one Lynbrook home has revealed that the Lyn Gift Shop has been in business for at least 80 years.
About 20 years after Mike McEnerney purchased his Harding Avenue home, he finally got around to cleaning out the collection of old books that the previous owners left behind in the attic.
“Somebody said don’t get rid of old books because years ago people didn’t trust banks so sometimes they put money in them … atleast go though them,” McEnerney explained at the Oct.
Sweet Shop Opens on Bloomingdale Main Street
Bloomingdale, NJ – Those with a sweet tooth have a new spot to satisfy their cravings in Bloomingdale after Candy Shack celebrated its grand opening Saturday.
The new store, which is located next to the Bloomingdale Recreation in the former space of a costume shop, is owned by Tracy Kaushal and her husband, Davinder Kaushal. The Kaushals have been married 18 years and have lived in the Borough of Bloomingdale for the past 13 years.
“I wanted to be around here. I wanted to do something for the kids where they can come and get something,” Tracy Kaushal said.
Cash Mob Takes Over Local Business
Edmonton, AB – Most people have heard of a flash mob but, what about a cash mob?
Cash mobs began in the United States last year and hit Edmonton a few months ago. The most recent mob hit the streets of Edmonton, Sunday afternoon.
The concept is simple, and it’s all in support of local businesses. The organizer of the cash mob selects a local, privately owned business, then a group of people “mob” the business and spend money at the store.
On the Edge Boutique is ‘The Most Unique Store on Sanibel’
Sanibel, FL – Talking shop with Ken Rottman, owner of On the Edge Boutique on Sanibel Island.
“It’s a small boutique, but very artsy and very pleasant to look at. The merchandise is in a colorful Bohemian style,” said Rottman.
On the Edge is located at 2340 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Call 395-0296 or e-mail ontheedgesanibel@yahoo.com.
Cranberry Store Owners Hope for Sweet Business
Wisconsin Rapids, WI – Rubi Reds in Wisconsin Rapids is open for business.
The retail shop offers sweet and dried cranberry items, with plans to expand into other natural food products, said Marcy Berlyn, one of the business’s four owners.
“We pack and ship all over the Midwest; that’s the majority of our business, wholesale packing and shipping,” Berlyn said.
Now the business has added the local retail store to its offerings.
No Need to Drive Far: Port Store Offers Halloween Items
Port Washington, WI – Looking for a place to get those hard-to-find contact lenses for your zombie eyes?
The Portico Gift Shop is branching out for the Halloween season.
Spooky or kitsch, the store is now carrying Halloween decorations, costumes, costume jewelry and assorted items, in addition to their well-known pirate gear and, yes, rubber ducks.
PCMH Gift Shop Expands Hours for Holiday Season
Perryville, MO – Though tiny, Expressions gift shop, located near the entrance of the newly renovated Perry County Memorial Hospital, packs a big punch. And to let the community know just how proud they are, they are expanding their Saturday hours beginning this weekend. The Saturday Oct.
Fenton Introduces 2012 Holiday Jewelry Collection
Tis the season for glitz and glamour! The vibrant hues of Fenton’s handmade in USA glass beads are perfect holiday fashion accessories. The Fenton 2012 Holiday Collection is now available at Fenton dealers throughout the country and via the Fenton web site: www.fentonartglass.com
Included in this exciting new collection is a rainbow of colors and styles, including Precious Metal, Three Dimensional, Encased, Vasa Murrhina, and Focal beads. In addition, there are several new handpainted designs, such as Christmas Eve, a three-dimensional, handpainted bead shown here.
NYIGF Announces Staff Changes
In connection with the summer 2013 reorganization of NYIGF into four broad market collections, GLM has announced a series of personnel changes, effective immediately, for the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) team.