Archives: News
Tri-County ‘Shop Local’ Initiatives Kick off in Collingswood
Collingswood, NJ – Every year the Christmas shopping season kicks off earlier and earlier.
Gift Store Aims to Offer Unique Merchandise
Dartmouth, MA – Like many other owners of small stores, Lea McBratney does her best to concentrate on carving a unique niche by seeking and selecting merchandise that is “different” than what you might find at any other shop. And in doing so, McBratney has developed a store that for the past eight years has provided plenty of interesting items.
“I try to get things that are hard to find,” says McBratney.
The Cure for the Common Toy
It’s easy to get your daily dose of adorable with Mudpuppy’s Fruits & Veggies Wooden Magnetic Sets, Galison/Mudpuppy’s most recent Dr. Toy Award recipient. This colorful set of wooden magnets was named one of Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products for 2012.
Dr. Toy’s Best Children’s Products Awards were developed by noted child development authority, Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D., as a guide for consumers who want to purchase safe, affordable, educationally oriented, and stimulating toys and products for children. Dr.
Girls in Pearls Boutique Opens Downtown Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI – When Margaret O’Connor Govett “retired” from her previous job as a chemistry lab manager at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in June, she said her husband wasn’t quite ready to quit working, leaving her looking for something new to do.
With an interest in fashion, some family members who work in the industry, and having previously worked in a boutique, O’Connor Govett decided to open up her own store, and Girls in Pearls opened on Friday at 1016 Main St.
Christmas Shopping Begins in Greensboro
Greensboro, NC – We’ve heard of Christmas in July, but not Christmas shopping in September.
At ‘Me & E Gifts and Things,’ A Greensboro gift boutique, the owner says more than half her customers this week have been buying Christmas gifts.
“Yesterday we had about 30 people come in which was probably about 10 percent. Maybe 20-percent above our usual and I would say maybe half of those were Christmas shoppers,” said Mary Ellen Lowry, Owner, Me & E Gifts and Things.
NYIGF Accepting Applications for Juried Design-Focused Divisions
Designers, artists and manufacturers are invited to submit applications for three juried, design-focused New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) divisions (Accent on Design®, Handmade® Designer Maker and Handmade® Global Design) and two special NYIGF incubator showcases (A+™: The Young Designers’ Platform at Accent on Design and Emerging Designer Maker Platform at Handmade® Designer Maker).
New Business Spotlight: Nurses Partner to Open Dat Bayou Bling in Alexandria
Alexandria, LA – As a sign of their commitment to making men feel comfortable in a store seemingly geared toward women, the owners of Dat Bayou Bling keep a genuine deer head mounted on the wall of their shop.
It is, naturally, nicknamed “Daisy” and covered with pink paint and glitter.
“It was donated by a friend,” said Kris Royall, who owns the gift shop on Jackson Street in Alexandria with friend Sissy Nitz. “We had it in the car with the door locked before we told him what we were going to do with it.”
Sugar, Sugar: Dylan’s Candy Bar Opens First L.A. Store
Los Angeles, CA – The sound system is queued up with songs about sugar, candy, and sweets. Bins brimming with wildly colored and carefully organized kinds of gummies, licorice, chocolates, and hard candies beckon. It’s pretty much impossible not to smile; from the young to the young at heart, this is literally like being a kid in a candy store. This is the sweet world of Dylan’s Candy Bar, in their brand new L.A.
Momentum Builds For IMC’s Inaugural Gift & Home CEO Summit
Momentum is building for the debut of International Market Center and Eller Enterprises’ Gift & Home CEO Summit at World Market Center Las Vegas, with key industry suppliers confirming their sponsorship of the two day event, and creation of a dedicated micro site providing conference information and updates. In addition, a new tagline “Elevating the industry. Securing the future.” has been adopted for the inaugural event, January 31-February 1, 2013, in conjunction with the Winter 2013 Las Vegas Market.
National Retailer Flip-Flops Into Election Season, Literally
Flip Flop Shops, a global retail franchise that exclusively sells the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals, is making an official entry into U.S. politics with the Flip Flop Shops’ Limited Edition Obama/Romney Flip Flop line. The flip flops, which don the faces of both political candidates and seek to make light of their propensity to flip-flop on major issues, will be available from Sept.
Dogeared Jewels & Gifts Presents New Holiday Gifts & Stocking Stuffers – All Under $100
Dogeared Jewels & Gifts, a trendsetting fashion brand known for its cool California aesthetic and innovative designs, is proud to present jewels that are perfect holiday gifts and stocking stuffers, all under $100. Original new jewelry designs are infused with shine and shimmer, and are just in time for holiday gifting. All Dogeared jewelry is handcrafted in their southern California studio.
New jewels and gifts include:
1.
lilywrap Launches Business, Set to Revolutionize Gift Wrapping Industry
lilywrap today announced the launch of its new business and introduced a unique, patent-pending product to the gift wrapping industry. The company’s innovatively designed stretchy gift wrap with built-in bow fits snugly to a wide variety of packages presenting consumers with a stylish, reusable, and convenient alternative for a custom-wrapped gift.
“We wanted to develop an eco-friendly product that didn’t sacrifice the chic and often creative results from traditional wrapping paper,”said Ashley Edmonds, CEO of lilywrap and gift-giving enthusiast.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Douglas Company
Make this Valentine’s Day one you’ll never forget with the sweetest plush toys from Douglas Company. Mimi Elephant, LuLu Hippo, Zoie Zebra and Heart Monkey are all new from the plush toy and lifestyle gift creator.
Mimi Elephant is precious in two shades of pink wearing a pink on pink checked organza bow on the top of her head. She has white satin hearts decorating her hoofs. If her endearing expression is not enough to melt your heart her large floppy ears dare you to snuggle.
Rosanna, Inc. Partners wIth Italian Distributor, Argenti
Rosanna, Inc. is pleased to announce the new partnership with Italian distributor, Argenti. Argenti will have Rosanna products available starting January 2013, and offer in-country service for a more streamlined distribution system for Italian customers.
Argenti is an Italian company that produces gift items, party favors, and accessories for the home and office made from silver, crystal, leather, wood, and resin. Founded in 1993, after having conquered the Italian market, the company then made inroads in parts of Europe, the United States, and Latin America.
Sweet Dreams: Local Candy Shop Looks to Grow Despite Some Big Obstacles
Palm Coast, FL – Ginnie Mercer remembered the three most important rules about real estate when she was looking for a commercial space to rent.
But when the anchor store next to her space in the complex left suddenly, the location, location, location was not what she expected it to be.
Mercer and co-owner Rachel Ross opened the candy shop in the Parkway Plaza, 1000 Palm Coast Parkway SW, on Oct. 29 of last year. Mercer said when the restaurant next door to their shop, Best Bagels and Deli, closed abruptly she was concerned.
London Design Week: 14th–23rd September 2012
The ceiling is typically a vacant space in most homes and offices, but in recent years both Boskke and Hulger have revolutionized the ceiling landscape, bringing a fresh perspective to both lighting, and urban gardening. The East London based design outfits are natural collaboration partners and will both be launching new products at this event.
Hulger’s Plumen low energy light bulb and Boskke’s Sky Planter will be combined in a site-specific installation.
Artisan Resource Makes Successful Debut at Summer NYIGF
Citing success at meeting new contacts, fostering new partnerships and writing new orders, exhibitors participating in the launch of GLM’s new Artisan Resource™ tradeshow were pleased with the inaugural event and eager to return to future editions.
Sold Out Gourmet Housewares Show Delivers on Exhibitor Expectations for Summer 2012 Edition
The Gourmet Housewares Show® at the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) not only expanded the number of exhibitors at its second annual edition in New York City, but also sold out every available booth for the summer 2012 edition, which ran August 19-22, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
New Tag and Label Designs for Unique Marketing Opportunities from Arch Crown
Arch Crown promotional tags and labels turn browsers into buyers. Over 90 styles of pre-printed tags and labels are designed to bring special attention to your jewelry. Promotional tags and labels are a cost effective method of stimulating sales…
Accessories Add Up for La Grange Business Women
La Grange, IL – Want to look like a million bucks without having to spend it?
That’s the attitude behind Frill Accessory Boutique in downtown La Grange, a store that promises “guilt-free indulgences” that can give any outfit that extra bit of pop.
Frill opened in May 2011 and is co-owned by Maureen Longua and Afkara Mason. The pair strive to bring high-fashion jewelry, handbags and other accessories to their customers at a fraction of the high-fashion price.