Archives: News
Pretty Ugly Grants License to Callaway Digital Arts, Inc.
Beginning in April 2012, Pretty UglyTM, LLC will be partnering with Callaway Digital Arts, Inc. to create mobile apps designed around the UGLYDOLL® brand. These interactive apps will be available for Worldwide Distribution.
“Loyalty for the UGLYDOLL brand continues to grow across all age groups and demographics, and we are very pleased to be entering this exciting frontier,” says Alita Friedman, Chief Brand Officer of Pretty Ugly.
Dallas Hotels Offer Discounted Rates During June Market
Dallas Market Center today announced that Dallas Market Center’s partner hotels are offering discounted nightly rates during the upcoming Total Home & Gift Market, taking place June 20-26.
Hotel rates start as low as $82 per night. All hotels are within seven miles of the Market Center and most offer a complimentary shuttle service.
New Date Pattern, Expanded Selection Headline Revitalized 2012 Smoky Mountain Gift Show
Re-engineered by leading tradeshow management company, Urban Expositions, the Smoky Mountain Gift Show returns November 7-10, 2012 to the Gatlinburg Convention Center with an even bigger product selection featuring top name lines from leading manufacturers, enhanced buyer services and a spirit of fun and hospitality that defined the show at its prime.
“Since acquiring the show in 2011, we’ve focused our efforts on rebuilding and enhancing the Smoky Mountain Gift Show .The feedback from both buyers and exhibitors has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Doug Miller, president, Urban Ex
Messe Frankfurt Publishes Study on Buying Behavior in Germany
According to a new poll carried out by the forsa market-research company[1] on behalf of Messe Frankfurt, many Germans enjoy making spontaneous purchases. 58 percent of respondents said they had spent money spontaneously at least once in the last year. On the list of the most popular purchases, furnishings take third place ahead of entertainment electronics, CDs, DVDs and jewellery. Only clothing and books are purchased spontaneously more often. In 41 percent of such cases, the value of the articles bought is € 99 or less.
Aurora Releases New Sea Sparkles Collection
Toy and gift manufacturer Aurora World Inc. (http://www.auroragift.com) unveiled its all new Sea Sparkles collection today, the company announced. The long-awaited line geared for Aurora’s aquarium and museum accounts as well as all fans of the ocean features mermaid-themed dolls, Fancy Pals and a host of sea creatures.
Douglas Orians Appointed Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Outdoor Lighting Designer and Manufacturer, Patio Living Concepts
Patio Living Concepts announces that Douglas Orians has been named as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the company. Patio Living Concepts is a domestic designer and manufacturer of outdoor lighting and associated accessories. Orians will be responsible for all aspects of Patio Living Concepts’ global sales and marketing activities through the company’s multiple distribution channels.
Crestline Gift Shop has Personal Touch
Crestline, CA – In spite of the shaky economy – actually because of it – Debi and Dean Carlson decided to open a custom gift store in the quaint town of Crestline, nearly 5,000 feet up in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Why would they do that?
When home sales tanked, Dean Carlson, a realtor in northern San Diego County, decided to make a fresh start, moving up to the family’s vacation cabin in the mountains and starting a business.
“If you can’t find a job, make one,” he said.
Longtime New Milford Flower Shop Has New Owners, New Location
New Milford, CT – Luisa Amaral was been busy laying roots at her flower shop’s new location in New Milford over the winter, and Ruth Chase Flowers is already blooming.
Mrs. Amaral had been operating the long-established business, which she acquired nearly four years ago, at 4 Main St. facing the Village Green until last fall, when an opportunity arose that she and her husband, Tony, couldn’t resist. Just around the corner from the town hall, the historic firehouse building at 19 Church St. became available.
“It just happened. Nothing was really planned.
Lee Store’s Move Downtown Targets Walkers
Lee, MA – A long-established Main Street gift shop is relocating to a vacant storefront in the heart of Lee’s downtown business district.
Karen Keenan Gifts & Home is preparing to move from 151 Main St. to 69 Main St., previously occupied by a bookstore that closed recently after a two-year run.
The current store will remain open until the retail space is repainted, renovated and ready to accept inventory, said owner Karen Keenan. She said the gift shop across from St. Mary’s Church will be closed April 29 for an all-day move and will reopen on April 30.
Jewelry Boutique Helps Heart Center
West Bloomfield, MI – TODAY’S SUBJECT: Lolly Ella Jewelry of West Bloomfield in February raised funds for the Ministrelli Women’s Heart Center of Beaumont Hospital for the third consecutive year.
THE CAUSE: Ministrelli Women’s Heart Center. The center is dedicated to the detection, prevention and treatment of heart disease in women.
BACKGROUND: In November 2005, four sisters — Erica, Michelle, Danielle and Pam Strauch, along with their parents, Janet and Dan Strauch, opened the jewelry and accessory boutique.
Whitestone Gift Shop Cares for Boro Strays
Whitestone, NY – Instead of simply asking for money, Sharon Taylor decided to tap into one of America’s favorite past times to fund her animal rescue organization: shopping.
Taylor runs As You Wish, a boutique gift shop on 14th Avenue in Whitestone, where all the profits go toward helping animals that have been rescued from the streets of Queens.
“When you see an innocent animal come from the street looking bad, abused or just destroyed, you want to help them and get them into a home where their life is turned around,” she said.
Women Opening Wahpeton Gift Shop/Café in Honor of Daughter
Wahpeton, ND – Annie Gjesdal used to tell her mom, Brenda, that she one day would live in the Queen Anne home with the blue wood frame, gable front and towering turret at 86 Dakota Avenue here.
Annie never got the chance.
The 18-year-old was killed in 2009 when her car was struck by a beet truck at a Wahpeton intersection.
But now, Brenda Gjesdal and Linda Kutzer are finding a way for Annie’s spirit to live on in the house she always admired.
The lifelong friends are remodeling the home into what will be a café and gift shop.
Margaret Casey Appointed SFC President
The Sustainable Furnishings Council announced today it has named Margaret Casey as its new President. Casey, currently a consultant for the Presidio Trust in San Francisco, helped to found the SFC and played a pivotal role in its growth. Previously the Director of Programming at World Market Center Las Vegas, “Margaret brings a seasoned appreciation of the business of the home furnishings industry coupled with an up-to date understanding of the environmental concerns of its customer base, “says Bob Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers.
Beadle Dee Bead & Gift Shop is as Fun as its Name
Edmond, OK – If you like to create, there is a new store in town just for you, and its name is an inkling as to what can be found inside.
Beadle Dee Bead & Gift Shop opened March 8 and the clientele has been growing ever since.
Stephanie Sawyer, known by her friends and family as Anne, is a crafter and beader.
How Impressive! National Artist Visits Libertyville Boutique
Libertyville, IL – Nora Fleming, designer of the distinctive interchangeable platters and serving pieces made her appearance at How Impressive!, a personalized stationery and gift store in downtown Libertyville. With a collection of over 100 toppers she was here in a local boutique, debuting her newest piece, the bread platter. Each customer who purchased, received it autographed and a free topper.
This had to be a closed event, said Kristine Knutson, owner of How Impressive! “We had over 42 RSVP’s a week before the event and several pre-orders.
Main Street Toys Shooting for a Mix of Unique and Nostalgic, Owner Says
Plainfield, IL – Victoria Halsell-Brewton jokes that it’s not likely her kids will be visiting her new store very often — not if she wants to keep her merchandise for the customers.
After all, what kid wouldn’t be tempted to break into the Silly Putty, open up the Do-A-Dot Art paints or test one of the road trip games. And when the candy gets put out, well, you can’t have the children eating up the profits.
Halsell-Brewton and her husband, Preston Brewton, are the proprieters of Main Street Toys & Candy, which they hope to open in early- to mid-May. It’s located at 24036 W.
Polka Dot Press a National Finalist
Tallahassee, FL – Tallahassee business The Polka Dot Press is one of the five remaining competitors in the National Retail Federation’s This Is Retail video contest, which has a top prize of $25,000 in cash.
Originally a field of 20 contestants from across the country, the contenders have been narrowed to five and the voting continues through Sunday.
Nancy Turner, whose daughter Kim Williams owns The Polka Dot Press, said Thursday that they are hopeful their customers’ support will be enough to keep them going.
‘Cash Mob’ Provides Surprising Sales Boost for Small Store
Easton, PA – While the word ‘mob’ might have a negative connotation, the goal of a ‘cash mob’ is positive, and one downtown Easton business was hit Friday.
Nobody knew what shop the cash mob was going to target. The concept is simple. It’s like a flash mob — groups that suddenly appear to do something like a synchronized dance routine, but with a philanthropic twist.
Carrie Delcioppo hasn’t heard her register ring like this in months.
Made in Birmingham: Local Entrepreneur Whips Up Craft Soap and Natural Body Care Products
Birmingham, AL – Sandi Garrett Little is among a growing trend of entrepreneurs starting home-based businesses. Her position at EBSCO was eliminated over two years ago, and it was then that Little decided to take her 10 years of experience making soap from hobby to full-time job.