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Children’s Store Takes the Local Approach
North Liberty, IA – Six-month-old Itsy Bitsy Boutique in North Liberty is taking the local road to sourcing its cute and kitschy children’s wear.
The store that opened in March at 201 Highway 965 sources most of its new inventory through suppliers who live and work in Iowa. Local residents also are invited to place items to sell on consignment, with an emphasis on handmade apparel.
Shopper Kaitlyn Wright of Williamsburg dropped by on a recent Wednesday.
New Art Gallery and Shop Opens at Station Square
Grayslake, IL – Four years into her investment and the shop Sharyl Curtis of Grayslake has been hoping for, working for and striving for, opens its doors in the Station Square shopping center of Prairie Crossing. Gingi’s Unique Artistic Finds is now open for business in suite 1C.
“I think people are craving a shop like this in the area,” Curtis said of her store which showcases and sells art and other products almost exclusively made in the United States.
A large portion of the store is dedicated to various artistic wares.
Kilwins Sweets Shop Franchise Opens on Congress Street
Portsmouth, NH – While the recently opened downtown Kilwins is one of about a hundred franchise locations across the country, this one is very much a family affair.
“I’m a native of New Hampshire and have always worked in retail for a family,” said Janette Desmond, owner of the franchise. “When my brother, who works in the corporate offices of Kilwins, told me they wanted to open one in Portsmouth, I was ready!”
Desmond and her family moved from the Manchester area to Portsmouth in November, and the search for a location began.
Small Businesses Gearing up to Sell RNC Souvenirs
Tampa, FL – Some local souvenir shops are already stocking shelves with keepsakes to commemorate the Republican National Convention.
Over at Mary Seeley’s house, Christmas is coming a little early. The owner of Tampa-based White House Holidays was contracted to craft the official ornament of the RNC.
“I have made 500. We have another 500 on order,” Seeley said Tuesday.
Forget Etsy: New South End Shop Aims to Tame the Online Shopping Conglomerate of Hand-Made Gifts
Boston, MA – Etsy is a great resource for finding a gift if you know exactly what you’re looking for, but for the indecisive gift-giver, it can be a daunting task to sort through page after page of brightly-colored scarves, scented candles and baby booties. Seventeen Google Chrome tabs later, and you’re probably worse off than when you started.
Thankfully for Bostonians, you can start X-ing out of those tabs.
Former Cabinet Member & Former Ambassador To China Present Keynotes At Inaugural IMC GIFT+HOME CEO Summit In Las Vegas
Former Ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, Jr., and former U.S. Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich, will be featured keynote speakers at International Market Center’s inaugural Gift+Home CEO Summit at the Las Vegas Market in January 2013. Drawing on extensive experience on the world stage, Huntsman and Reich will address issues such as geopolitics, labor and currency, which are impacting and influencing gift and home industry businesses today.
Both keynote sessions will be followed by a Q&A session moderated by Bob Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers (IMC).
Get Ready to Play…My Pole-ish Horseshoes and Rollors at Your Next Tailgate!
Move over Bag Toss, Ladder Ball and Washers. My Pole-ish Horseshoes® and Rollors® are the new “HOT TAILGATING GAMES FOR 2012” that are being played in Major League Soccer Stadiums, MLB Stadiums and NASCAR Race Tracks from coast to coast and everywhere in between.
My Pole-ish Horseshoes® www.playmph.com is a competitive outdoor Frisbee for people of all ages that combines skill and endurance as players defend their post from opposing teams.
Tervis Introduces New Hello Kitty Collection
Tervis®, the leader in insulated drinkware, has teamed up with Sanrio’s Hello Kitty® brand for a new collection featuring the global pop icon. The new line was introduced in July at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market®.
“We are honored to partner with such a popular brand,” says Kathy Greif, Tervis Marketing Director. “Both the Tervis and Hello Kitty brands resonate with a range of consumers and focus on fun.
Small Retail Shops Use Facebook Fan Pages to Get Customers Through The Door
Tampa, FL – Long before Revolve Clothing Exchange opened its newest location, it had a Facebook page. The staff posted photos of shelving under construction and shoes headed for the racks. “Stay tuned for more awesomeness!” screamed a post about its vintage T-shirts. • The new and used clothing store wanted to build some excitement before opening at 4023 W Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa, said co-owner Kevin Hecht. And it didn’t have a lot of money to spend on traditional media advertising.
The strategy worked. By the time Revolve welcomed its first customer Aug.
Hape Launches Summer 2012 Toy Collection
Hape, a leader in designing and manufacturing high quality baby and children’s toys made from sustainable materials, announced today its new 2012 summer toy collection, which is set to hit retail stores beginning in late July. The collection ─ which includes a variety of adorable toys for endless hours of playing ─ includes the new Galloping Zebra Cart (MSRP $35), Rock-a-bye Cradle ($30), Shopping Cart ($35) and Pancakes ($24.99), will also be available for purchase through Hape’s online store.
Glenda’s Notions and Gifts opens in Buchanan
Buchanan, GA – Got goat milk soap? Of course you don’t. That’s why folks will head over to Glenda’s Notions and Gifts, a new boutique featuring local crafts and products now open on the Buchanan square.
Since June, the store owned by Glenda and Johnny Smith at 104 Courthouse Square has been a showcase for the array of talents by local artisans and the high quality home products made in and around Haralson County.
“I feel a lot of people are under the impression we are a thrift store or a consignment shop, but it’s anything but,” said Glenda.
How Papyrus Greeting Cards Still Connect
When it comes to wishing a friend a happy birthday, many people, of a certain age at least, simply post something on Facebook. If they want to put a little more effort into it, they might send an animated or customized e-card.
The greeting card industry is facing the digital and social media era.
Retail Veteran to Open Boutique on Eighth Street
Holland, MI – A retail veteran from a family of entrepreneurs is stepping out on her own this month, with a retro-to-contemporary boutique on Eighth Street.
Grand Rapids native Jenny Van Veen hopes to have a soft opening for Frances Jaye, a women’s and men’s boutique store Aug. 24, with a grand opening later in September.
“This has kind of been a lifelong dream,” she said. “Both my parents own their own businesses, so it’s kind of in my blood to be entrepreneurial.”
Chamber Mobs Stores With Cash
Yucca Valley, CA – “We want to cause a scene,” Jennifer Collins said with a grin.
Nearby, Cheryl Nankervis hoisted her megaphone. “It’s a cash mob, everyone,” she intoned. “Join us!”
The Vons shopping center was the scene of the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce’s first cash mob Thursday. Members used Facebook and faxes to encourage shoppers to show up at the locally-owned shops there and spend a little money.
Owners of Gift Shop Lead With Their Heart
Pike Creek, DE – When Heart And Home was moving two doors down in the Pike Creek Shopping Center, the owners put Clara Menton in charge of the move.
Menton has worked at the store since she was in her mid teens, and she graduated from college, where she studied art history, a year ago. They charged her with deciding what got moved, what got discarded, and what went on clearance sale. She oversaw the logistics of the transition.
In a world of top-down management, employees of Heart And Home like Menton say they feel empowered to exercise their vision and make decisions.
Shop Within Campbell’s Caters To Crafty Sales
Superior, WI – For years, Campbell employees have been asked where the gift section is, and now they have a place to point.
The Old Hutch, a fenced area within the store filled with craft items, opened two months ago. It was meant to cater to the women who stopped by Campbell Lumber. But male shoppers have also gravitated toward the display, situated in the former aisle space near the front counter.
“It’s about 50/50,” said Jean Higgins, a Campbell Lumber employee and self-proclaimed “Jean of all trades.”
Eye Kandy Boutique Brings Fashion Finds to Harmony
Harmony, PA – When Kandy Barkley was scoping out the Center of Harmony as a potential location for her clothing boutique, it wasn’t just the space that caught her eye—it was the refrigerator.
“When I came in here, I fell in love with it,” she said.
To be fair, this isn’t just any old refrigerator Barkley is talking about. It’s an antique, floor-to-ceiling decorative cooler that once was used by a butcher in the former Otto & Gert’s building in the heart of historic Harmony.
Razzle Dazzle Boutique Now Open for Business in Hamlet
Hamlet, NC – It’s hard to miss the new business that opened its doors on Hamlet Avenue last Saturday, with the pink and white striped awning that hints at the girly shop inside.
Razzle Dazzle Boutique, located at 32 W. Hamlet Ave. in Hamlet, beside Ace Hardware, offers an array of accessories for fashion-minded ladies.
Krystal Edwards said she helped her husband at his store, Edwards IGA, for years before finally deciding to take a risk and open the kind of store she’s always dreamed of.
Douglas Company Celebrates the Holidays With Tatty Teddy
It’s the happiest of holiday seasons with Tatty Teddy™ in town. Tatty Teddy™ is the adorable gray teddy bear with a cute blue nose, well-known as the endearing character behind the bestselling Me to You brand, created by Carte Blanche in 1995. Douglas Company brought Tatty Teddy™ to the US in early 2012, and the brand continues to inspire.
There are four new bears in Douglas’ Tatty Teddy™ Holiday collection ready to deliver lots of holiday cheer.
CMC Gift & Home Market Dates Changed to October 7-9
California Market Center (CMC) has announced new dates for its CMC Gift & Home Market featured in October 2012. The new dates are: Sunday October 7, 2012 – Tuesday, October 9, 2012.
California Market Center
110 East Ninth Street Los Angeles, CA 90079
October 7-9, 2012
MORE INFO:
Website | www.californiamarketcenter.com/giftandhome
E-mail | info@californiamarketcenter.com
Press Contact:
Alyson Bender / California Market Center
Tel 213.630.3616
Email: abender@californiamarketcenter.com