Archives: News
The Chicago Market Announces July Seminar Line-Up: Inspiring Programs Designed to Educate and Support Buyers July 19-25, 2012
The Chicago Market announces a robust line-up of programs and activities at the July market. Retail buyers can expect to hear presentations that educate, inform, and entertain.
This Chicago Market, known for their hospitality, will offer attendees an extraordinary line-up from respected industry leaders. One highlight of this July’s seminar series is a presentation by Susan and Jeff Britton and Christy Spencer of Britton Marketing & Design.
Illume Announces Executive Promotions for Liz Barrere and David Gustafson
Illume announces two senior executive promotions, Liz Barrere from Senior Vice President to President, and David Gustafson from Chief Financial Officer to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Known for its sophisticated and trend-forward home fragrance products, Illume candles, diffusers and body care can be found in over 4,500 stores nationwide.
Tea Shop Now Open in Richland’s Uptown Shopping Center
Richland, WA – The idea of opening a tea shop has been steeping on the Clarke family’s back burner for a while.
“We had vision and have been looking for a place for years,” said Don Clarke of Kennewick. He and his wife, Olga, and their son, Alex, finally found it at 244 Williams Blvd., in the Uptown Shopping Center in Richland.
In preparation, they attended gift shows and sampled teas from around the world.
The Language of Flowers — Melissa Scott Opens Shop
Casper, WY – “I believe that flowers are a way to bring a little bit of Mother Nature’s beauty into your home,” said Melissa Scott. After 17 years of experience in floral design, Scott decided it was time to open a business of her own. Juliette’s Flowers and Gifts opened its doors June 7. Located in the Sunrise Shopping Center near the Wyoming Athletic Club at 4000 S.
Eat the Heat: Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop Makes Your Dentist’s Dreams Come True
Patrick Evan was due for a bit of fun. He had been accounting for 13 years, and finally left his cubicle to do what any math major on a midlife crisis would: Start a candy store.
And not you’re quaint, Cherry Creek chocolatier. Evans started Denver’s location of Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop, an iridescent palace of sugar and carbonated syrup that lights up Writer’s Square like a Jack-O-lantern until 10:30p.m.
Cash Mob Invades Wayne and Helps Out Local Business
Wayne, PA – The cash mob came to Wayne this week and they might be coming to a town near you soon.
Thursday evening a small mob of shoppers loaded with cash came to the Bark Avenue Boutique, 107 N.
MOCHA Butterfly Boutique in Brady District Launches With Local Focus
Tulsa, OK – Nikki Warren and Kim Grayson’s new boutique is aptly named.
Just a couple of weeks ago, the high school friends from Booker T. Washington opened the MOCHA Butterfly at 216 N. Main St. The acronym stands for “manifesting our creative hidden abilities,” explained Warren, who has been designing colorful clothing under that label for years.
But it’s an uplifting name with more than a personal meaning for the two business partners. It’s also symbolic of the launch pad from which local designers and independent artists can start or build their careers.
Las Vegas Summer Market Debuts New Destination in Building B with Top Trend Setters in Home Decor
Delivering a fashion-forward collection of home décor resources for its growing retail and designer attendee base, World Market Center Las Vegas will launch a newly merchandised and expanded presentation at the 2012 Summer Las Vegas Market.
Douglas’ Christine Clarke Collection Continues to Grow with New Sillos and Sassy Pet Saks
Douglas Company’s Christine Clarke collection continues to expand with the addition of new Sassy Pet Saks™ and new Sillo Saks™ just in time for the holiday season.
The New Hampshire-based plush toy maker and lifestyle gift creator introduces two new Sillo Saks™, Peaceful Earth Bird Sillo™ and Shoes Sillo™, as well as two new Sassy Pet Saks™, Peaceful Earth Sassy Pet Sak™ and Shoes Sassy Pet Sak™.
Shoes Sillo™ is just so cool with its fancy silhouette of a stiletto shoe. It is a beautiful bag flush with details.
GHTA and GAIN Offer Free Credit Reports through GHTA-GAIN Credit Interchange
The Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA), a professional trade association formed to support, lead, and unify the gift and home industry, and the Gift Associates Interchange Network, Inc. (GAIN), an association of supplier companies exchanging historical payment information on retailers in the gift, garden, and home industries, through the GHTA-GAIN Interchange, will offer free credit reports for 60 days to GHTA members and potential members, now through August 31, 2012.
Urban Expositions to Relocate the October 20-22, 2012 Gulf Coast Gift Show to the Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort in Panama City Beach, FL
Urban Expositions has announced plans to relocate the October 20-22, 2012 Gulf Coast Gift Show from Fort Walton Beach, Florida’s Emerald Coast Convention Center to the Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort in Panama City Beach, FL. The move marks a return to the show’s original location in Panama City.
“We are pleased to be able to bring the Gulf Coast Gift Show back to Panama City. The award-winning Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort in Panama City provides the best of both worlds – an excellent full-service resort/convention facility in the location our buyers and exhibitors prefer.
Paddywax Candles Launches Three New Collections And Adds Mark Twain and Emily Dickinson to Library Line
Paddywax, a leader in the home fragrance industry, announced today that they will release three new collections and two new line extensions at the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market. The new candle collections pull from a range of inspiration – vintage mason jars, a featured new artist, and a unique metallic and plaid holiday line. Each collection is filled with delicious fall and winter fragrances.
“These collections are very near and dear to my heart,” said Gretchen Hollingsworth, Paddywax founder.
October Dates, Saturday Opening Headline 2012 Ocean City Resort Gift Expo
Slated to return to Ocean City, Maryland’s Roland E. Powell Convention Center with an earlier date and new Saturday- Tuesday date pattern, the 2012 edition of the Ocean City Resort Gift Expo brings together a comprehensive selection of themed merchandise, resort apparel, gifts and souvenirs.
Daughters Inspire New Washington Shop
Washington, NJ – There is something “new and different” in Downtown Washington. OliviaRae is now open. Located at 76 E. Washington Avenue (Route 57), the store is named for owner Jill Foster’s two daughters, Olivia Ann and Sophia Rae.
Foster has always dreamed of owning a small shop of her own, so OliviaRae was born. OliviaRae is a unique home decor and gift shop.
There is something for everyone, with an eclectic atmosphere that appeals to all tastes. Jill hand picks unusual and unique trend forward items.
Marion Business Offers Something For All
Marion, MA – There are not many places where one can buy clothing, books, baby apparel and gifts, gourmet kitchenware and cutlery, soaps, candles, and Christmas supplies, and grab a bite to eat while enjoying a beautiful view, all in one place.
But the Ansel S. Gurney House in Marion offers all this and more.
Owner Debbie Gunschel says it is difficult to properly categorize her store.
“It’s like we’re 10 shops in one — plus a café,” says Gunschel. “We carry so many different things.”
Little Shop of Courage
St. Norbert, Manitoba – It all started with a booth at the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market more than a decade ago, where Brenda Weiss first offered her original beaded pieces to the public. Her creations sold like crazy — so much so, it gave her the courage to quit the insurance business, where she felt like a purple and orange person in a blue and brown industry.
She started a shop on Academy Road and set up beading classes as well. That location wasn’t the best for her; traffic went whizzing by on the short cut to the St. James bridge.
Cash Mobs a Great Way to Help Small Businesses
Knoxville, TN – One good thing that Tim Burchett has done as Knox County mayor is to institute cash mobs (crowds shopping at designated small businesses), not to be confused with flash mobs (choreographed dancing by a crowd of people). Cash mobbing is a great idea and a meaningful opportunity for us to help small businesses survive. Many people talk about the need to support small businesses but bypass the establishments on the way to larger stores to get a bargain.
Canadian Poet’s Writing Now Offered on Inspirational Wall Plaques
Richard Lawrence Belford specializes in writing heartfelt sentiments which he illustrates with photography for a variety of purposes, from publications, memorial products and wall plaques.
Ex-Supermarket Boss to Open Pebblez Toy and Sweet Shop in Cleethorpes
Cleethorpes, UK – A FORMER supermarket manager has abandoned the retail giants to set up his own family business in a prominent High Street spot.
Rob Hall, 48, of Stevenson Place, Cleethorpes, has worked for some of the biggest companies operating in the UK since he began his career at 18 years old.
He started out as a trainee manager with Ratners Jewellery and has gone on to work for River Island clothing, Asda and Sainsbury’s.
However, yesterday was his last day of employment and he and his wife Zoe – who he met while working for Asda – are now doing up their new sho
The Wedding Cottage Expands to Keep Customers Long-Term
Beaverton, OR – After 28 years of business, The Wedding Cottage was ready for change.
In April, owner Petrel Farkas decided to expand her business from a wedding-related gift store to one that includes gifts for all occasions.
In addition to invitations, guest books, bridal party items, and other wedding-themed goods, the store now sells general home decor gifts. Those include candles, baby accessories, greeting cards and pewter-based handcrafted functional housewares made by Crosby & Taylor, a small Eugene-based company owned by Farkas’ parents, Deborah and Jim Chapman.