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New Toy Store Caters to Autistic Children
Edmonton, AB – The shelves and racks in that line the walls of Therapyware make it look like any other toy store in Edmonton.
However, the store opening up in Edmonton’s west end is designed for a specific type of customer — children with special needs.
“Sometimes you just have to engage kids and have something fun that will help you through the learning process,” said Terri Duncan, executive director of Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton.
She says the organization started the store, which had its grand opening on Saturday, as a place to cater to parents with
Calamity Janes Opens in Jamestown
Jamestown, ND – A new, one-stop shop for home décor, antiques and furnishings has come to Jamestown in the form of Calamity Janes: Second Time Around Shoppe.
The store, which is located next to the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Business Loop West in Jamestown, opened in early May to customers looking to get what shop owner Sharri Besednik called, “nice things but not at outrageous prices.”
While not a consignment store, Besednik said her shop offers a collection of home décor items, antiques and furnishings — some of which she has repurposed herself.
Fashion Team Opens Accessory Boutique
New Canaan, CT – The dynamic duo of Kim Walin and Tina Johnson-Wolff are stepping back into the retail world with the opening of their store, Walin & Wolff, which features designer shoes, handbags and accessories.
Their signature store opened in March at 36 Elm St., in the heart of downtown New Canaan, and they expect — not hope — to open upward of 15 stores in affluent communities in the tri-state area. A second store is opening in Rye, N.Y., in August.
‘Cash Mob’ Invades Local Stores
Helena, MT – When Nicky Twitchell heard rumors of a “cash mob” in downtown Helena Friday, she was so excited she called up her friend Melissa Gollewski and asked her to join in the fun.
“I’m a local business owner myself, and I just want to make somebody’s day,” said Twitchell, who owns Hot Yoga Helena. “I do like to spend my money locally whenever possible.”
“And I said, ‘Of course I’ll come,'” Twitchell added. “Then I think we’ll go out for lunch at a local business.”
New NYIGF Bookstore Features Gourmet-Focused Authors
A brand new feature at this summer’s New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) – the NYIGF Bookstore, sponsored by Artisan, a division of Workman Publishing, and Gourmet Insider – will highlight gourmet-related authors and their works.
Santa Fe International Folk Art Market Collection Returns to Dallas
Dallas Market Center today announced that artists from the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market will return to Dallas for the second time. The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market Collection will be open June 20-24 as part of the FINDS Dallas Temp Show (staggered opening and closing dates). The Collection will feature the work of 18 artist groups in its new location, the Hall of Nations in the World Trade Center, 1st floor.
Handmade Collectibles, Antiques at New Cranbury Garden Boutique
East Windsor, NJ – From garden decorations and fountains, to handbags, wall art and soap, Cranbury’s new business brings an eclectic variety of handmade, one of a kind and repurposed antiques and collectibles.
Drawing inspiration from her husbands landscaping company, Debbie Field opened Around the Garden Boutique and Garden Design today on Park Place off Main Street.
New Business Owner Turns Her Vision into a Reality
Lancaster, OH – Imagine combining chocolate with the charm of country life. Ellie Carpenter did and she used that vision to create The Truffle Shuffle, 504 E. Main St.
She sells gourmet chocolates, country primitives, candles and gift baskets, among other items.
“Hence, the name Truffle Shuffle,” Carpenter said. “I said I’m going to serve truffles and shuffle it up a little bit.”
The store opened this past week, and Carpenter said business has been good so far. She hopes to have a grand opening June 1.
New Product Launch Home Fields
Atlanta-based Home Fields, Inc., creator of 3-D replica stadiums, has added a retail division after 10 years of direct-to-consumer sales. The line of 130-plus stadiums in three sizes will debut in the Collegiate License Pavilion at The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market July 13-17.
Peter J. Kryger, with more than 20 years industry-related experience, heads the division.
The Home Fields product was conceived by President Ken Small, a former Miami Dolphins marketing director. The 3-D effect is derived from space between layers of the multi-piece stadiums.
Midwest-CBK Introduces New Trend-Forward Additions to Popular “Gifts for Home” Line
Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, presents the latest in décor and accessories with more than 350 new products for the Gifts for Home line. Midwest-CBK’s June 2012 Gifts for Home collection focuses on well-designed pieces at accessible price points, with most items at $30 wholesale or less. The new collection is inspired by lifestyle, fashion and home décor trends, and exclusively created by Midwest-CBK’s in-studio and popular licensed designers.
Candy & Gift Shop Relocates From Harbor East to Power Plant
Baltimore, MD – The Best of Luck Candy & Gifts has opened its new location at the Power Plant in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
The specialty boutique candy and gift shop features nostalgia and bulk candy and gift baskets in addition to hosting events such as children’s birthday parties, sweet sixteen parties and baby showers.
The Best of Luck, a local Baltimore purveyor, moved to the Power Plant from its former location at Harbor East, doubling the size of the store to accommodate new offerings and amenities.
A Sample of Events for National Small Business Week
Forty-nine years ago, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation establishing a week to commemorate the contributions of U.S. small businesses. Every president since then has continued the tradition, known as National Small Business Week.
The 2012 recognition is this week, featuring a variety of events designed to trumpet and empower a group of business owners whose total size is hard to quantify.
The federal government says small businesses total more than 27 million.
Open House or Pop-up Shop? In Highland Park, it’s Both
Highland Park, CA – There’s thinking outside the box, but what about selling outside the shop? Sarah Brady and Alex Cole’s Highland Park home decor store, Platform, is turning the art of staging homes for sale into a shopping experience: The open house is a pop-up store.
Platform, known for mostly locally handmade house wares, attracts what Brady calls “a pretty decent stream of customers.” But Brady, a former trend forecaster, says she was looking to sell the store’s linens, tablewares, decorative accessories and artwork beyond the perimeters of the 900-square-foot shop.
Casa di Campagna Offers Variety of Home Decor
Carmel, CA – After many years employed as a manufacturer’s representative, Marty Arnold was convinced she didn’t ever want to run her own retail shop. Having seen firsthand the long hours her customers put into their businesses, she had no desire to emulate them.
That all changed, though, 10 years ago when Marty’s husband, John, retired and the couple opened Casa di Campagna at The Crossroads shopping center in Carmel.
Initially, although she agreed to use her merchandising expertise to help stock the store, Marty was only going to help out on weekends. That changed quickly.
Angels Help Owner Dawn Harris-Martine Keep Grandma’s Place in Business
Harlem, NY – A Harlem toy store is receiving a much-needed “boost” from some unexpected angels, and its owner says their assistance may help her to keep the business open for a whole new generation of children.
Grandma’s Place, which opened in 2006, has seen some tough times of late.
Pittsburg Gift Shop on Route 3 Expands
Pittsburg, NH – A popular Pittsburg business that’s been around for generations is looking a little different these days.
Al and Andrea Goudreau recently updated Treats and Treasures Gift Shop, located on “Moose Alley,” a 12-mile stretch of Route 3 north of Pittsburg famous for moose sightings.
The couple installed new log siding over the entire exterior of the store, and added moose and bear silhouettes to the front. They also redesigned and expanded display space inside.
24th Annual LOUIE Awards Winners Announced
On Sunday, May 20, 2012, The Greeting Card Association (GCA) honored the 24th Annual LOUIE finalists and winners in 54 different categories at a special gala event at Espace on 42nd St. in Manhattan.
NobleWorks Adds Cartoonists To Humorous Card Lineup
NobleWorks has added several hilarious new cartoons from the creative, crazy minds of illustrators Maria Scrivan and David Skidmore to its recent introduction of humorous everyday greeting cards.
The six new birthday cards from Maria Scrivan feature deceptively cute illustrations that set up some super-clever jokes – from bunny slippers that multiply in the closet to Rapunzel losing her hair extensions. David Skidmore’s “Sweet & Sour” cartoons appear on six new birthday cards and one anniversary card.
4th Annual LOUIE Awards Rolls Out Consumer’s Choice Facebook Poll
The Greeting Card Association (GCA) is pleased to introduce the first-ever Consumer’s Choice LOUIE contest, taking place from May 21 – May 31, 2012 immediately following the Awards ceremony. This award will allow Facebook fans to choose their favorite LOUIE winner to be named the consumer favorite for the 2011/2012 LOUIEs, announced at the 2012/2013 Awards.
Beginning on May 21st, the day after the Awards, photos of all the winning cards will be posted on the LOUIE Awards Facebook page.
RPI Launches Personalization Storefront and New Line of Customizable Pet Print Products
RPI (Reischling Press, Inc.) (www.rpiprint.com), a leader in make-on-demand private label personalized photo books, greeting cards and stationery products for mass and specialty retailers, is pleased to announce the launch of its new personalization storefront that offers personalized print products made by RPI and branded by the retailer and consumer. Along with its storefront platform, RPI is announcing its new line of print products specific for the pet industry.