Archives: News
Cupcakes for Christmas: Dress Your Christmas Tree With “Tree Treats”
These cupcakes look delicious! Jillson & Roberts has launched a brand new Christmas Ornament Collection for 2012. ” Tree Treats” showcase 21 different cupcake variations decorated to make this Christmas especially sweet and sparkly.
“Consumersenthusiastically collected our life-like dog breed ornaments. We wanted to build on that successful energy by adding a trend-setting cupcake collection.
Vianza Drives the Future of Specialty Retail through Major Sponsorship of Urban Expositions Events
Urban Expositions, the largest gift and souvenir trade show organizer, today announced that Vianza, Inc. has become the exclusive technology sponsor of its trade shows for wholesale business management.
Vianza will make its networked software-as-services (SaaS) platform available to all attendees so that wholesale buyers and sellers are able to conduct business more collaboratively and profitably.
Kastel International Named Exclusive U.S. Distributor for Mebby
Kastel International is proud to announce the company has been named U.S. distributor for Mebby. Mebby, Italy’s fastest growing nursery brand offers a wide range of babycare products dedicated to meet the needs of today’s modern parents. Kastel will launch Mebby in the U.S. with the Mebby Jelly Baby, a memory foam changing mat and the Mebby Bath Toy Store, a cleverly designed bath toy holder. Kastel International designs, implements and manages sustainable distribution systems for small to mid-sized consumer product brands with a specialty focus in the juvenile industry.
‘Two Chicks and a Rooster:’ A One of a Kind Gift Shop, More
Lancaster, NY – Working everyday together as a team, Dan Curtis and his wife, Julie, more than six years ago decided to follow their passion and dream and open their own business.
As a result, Two Chicks and a Rooster, a residential owned business, has become a successful reality for Dan and Julie and today the store’s motto is to offer “just what you want, not just what everyone else has,” Julie said.
The Cat’s Meow Opens in Franklin
Franklin, VA – Southampton Public Schools teacher Debbie Crowder has opened a boutique and gift shop in downtown Franklin.
After doing craft shows for 10 years, Crowder on Saturday opened The Cat’s Meow at 109 N. Main St.
“Opening a shop has always been something that was in the back of my mind,” said the 34-year teaching veteran.
Pippett Says New Shop Provides Fun For All Ages
Le Mars, IA – A new Le Mars store offers a little something for everyone including purses, handmade jewelry and guys’ cologne.
Bliss His & Hers opened its doors July 3 inside Bellissimo Coffee Works on Fourth Street Southwest, east of Business Highway 75.
The new shop with its red and black decor and varied merchandise is located in what used to be an event room inside the coffee shop.
Yankee Candle Launches New Fragrances for Fall 2012
The Yankee Candle Company, Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer ofpremium scented candles, today announced the launch of four new fragrances in its traditional line and two new fragrances in its contemporary Pure Radiance™ line for the fall. Inspired by cherished fall memories and the simple pleasures of autumn, the new fragrances evoke crisp, breezy days and bountiful harvests. Launched earlier this year, Pure Radiance™ features a modern design, custom soy wax blend and innovative LumiWick™ technology for a wide flame and consistent burn.
Dynomighty Looks to Kickstart its New Fall 2012 Products
Dynomighty Design, a small company on the eve of its 10th anniversary, has turned to Kickstarter in the hopes crowd-funding will provide the financial support that banks did not.
In 2002, struggling artist Terrence Kelleman invested $300 in a box of magnets to develop a prototype that would hopefully allow him to quit his day job at the Museum of Modern Art. Nine years later, he is the president of Dynomighty Design, the 758th fastest growing privately held company in the US according to Inc Magazine.
Home Grown Books Launches New Series of Books Aimed at the Earliest Readers
Home Grown Books, an artistic and educational collaborative dedicated to creating a whole literacy experience for the earliest readers, announces the launch of a new line of children’s books. The inaugural sets of books are illustrated by artists Cecile Dyer and Nathalie Trovato and will premiere at the New York International Gift Fair, August 19-22, 2012.
G. Romano Inc. Signs Permanent Leases at Las Vegas Market and International Home Furnishings Center in High Point
International Market Centers, L.P. (IMC) proudly announces that G. Romano Inc., a family owned and operated manufacturer of contemporary upholstery and quality home furnishings, has signed permanent leases at both World Market Center Las Vegas and the International Home Furnishings Center in High Point, N.C.
Citing shows that have been consistently positive for their brand, Rick Lovegrove, who runs the company with his wife Natalina, said “A combination of elements has allowed us to commit to permanent showrooms.
‘Funky’ Hazel Daze Boutique Opens in Fairfield
Fairfield, CT – The phrase “Hazel Daze” – the name of the latest shop to open in Fairfield – was coined on a train ride home from New York City.
Storeowner Lib DeNure and her family were heading back to Fairfield from the New York International Gift Fair, brainstorming names for the store they would soon be opening at the start of the Post Road.
“Daze” stems from DeNure’s description of her son, Peter Aspinwall, a “mellow musician” and Norwalk Community College student. “Hazel” was the name of DeNure’s grandmother.
Lymes Has Your Gift Covered
Carolgate, UK – Ever had that feeling, when you’ve got a special occasion coming up but you just don’t know what to buy as a gift – never mind what you’re going to wear?
Well with the help of Lymes Gift Box this feeling can now be a thing of the past.
This beautiful new little boutique style shop, just up Carolgate, hosts a wealth of personalised gifts and handmade greeting cards for any occasion. So whether your attending a christening, wedding, anniversary or birthday your sure to find something special with that personal touch to make their day.
Sweet: Chocolate Chic opens in Portsmouth
Portsmouth, NH – With more than six years in the chocolate business at local venues and a lifetime of cooking, Brenda Strum now has exactly what she wants.
“This all happened beautifully,” Strum said. “I’d been helping ‘the wine guy’ (Matthew Maynard) and Corradina (Arangio) at Attrezzi during the holiday season.”
It didn’t take long after that for Arangio, the owner of Attrezzi, to suggest Brenda move in and open her own chocolate business within the store.
“The fit is great,” Strum said. “This is probably the busiest store in downtown Portsmouth.
Emmaus Cash Mob Brings Dollars to the Downtown, Follows Footsteps of Easton, Bethlehem
Emmaus, PA – Would-be participants are given a meeting date, time and place, plus one instruction: Bring cash.
They’ve been tapped to join a cash mob — a group of folks who descend on a small business in their community to spend some money at the appointed hour.
Cash mobs are a national trend that arrived in the Lehigh Valley earlier this year. The goal is to boost mom-and-pop stores and the local economy. Mobs have sprung up in Easton, Bethlehem and now, Emmaus.
Former Downtown Abilene Furniture Store Getting a New Tenant, Opening Aug. 6
Abilene, TX – “Did you know she has nine business partners?”
“She’s putting in a spa.”
“It’s going to be a restaurant.”
These are just a few of the rumors Yanell Rieder heard about a vacated three-story building at the corner of North 2nd and Walnut Streets in downtown Abilene.
The location, recently famous in town as furniture and gift store Jordan Taylor, is less than a month from being reopened by Rieder, a longtime Abilene boutique owner. Jordan Taylor closed last spring.
Weslaco ‘Where’s Waldo’ Promotes Locally Owned Businesses
Weslaco, TX – Look closely while shopping local city stores this month.
Michael Mootz Candies Moving to New Location
Hanover Township, PA – After nearly 30 years in a rented 5,000-square-foot space in a Sans Souci Parkway strip mall, Michael Mootz Candies will move into a company owned location that adds about 3,000 square feet of space and more parking. Customers won’t have to travel far to find it.
Debi and Michael Mootz have purchased the former RJ McGlynn’s Auto Exchange about one-quarter mile down the Sans Souci and plan to renovate the two buildings on the property and build connecting hallways to create one complex.
Naples Boutique Arabesque Specializes in Paper Products and Cool Gifts
Naples, FL – Elegant invitations embossed with seashells and seahorses are pinned to a clothesline strung across a back room at Arabesque of Naples.
The styles range from understated to contemporary, with dangling ribbons, inventive pockets and functional fan-shaped invitations featuring raised or letter-pressed script.
Arabesque owner Sheryl Sashin is as warm and dainty as the paper creations themselves, gliding around the boutique in a skirt, fitted top and a pearl necklace while opera plays softly from speakers.
Strictly Business: Christmas House Doesn’t Take a Holiday
Elmira, NY – I’ve always wondered what went on at the Christmas House, that gift shop in the multi-colored Victorian home at 361 Maple Ave. in Elmira, after the owners put the big “See You in July” sign in the front window and shut down for the season.
So one day last week I asked Julie Delgrosso, who has run the business since 1993, how she spent her off-season — which officially ended two weeks ago when the shop re-opened.
And this is what I learned: In her busy world of retailing, there is no off-season. Yes, it’s true the Christmas House is closed from January to July 1.
Five Color Palettes and 80+ Products Selected For “Open House” Trend Preview at Summer 2012 NYIGF
The inaugural “Open House” project, to be presented at the summer 2012 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), moves one step closer to fruition with Pantone’s identification of five fresh color palettes and One Kings Lane’s selection of 80+ products, both of which best support key home design trends identified by editors from Sandow Media’s Home Textiles Today and Home Accents Today.