Archives: News
Cash Mobsters Converge on Small Businesses to Give Support
Los Angeles, CA – The crowd stood at the corner of San Pedro and Boyd streets, a bustling shopping area near L.A.’s Skid Row, waiting for stragglers to arrive before descending on the store.
But this mob wasn’t an angry one. It had gathered on a recent Saturday afternoon to spend money at a small cafe and boutique.
Dubbed a “cash mob,” members of the group, many of them young professionals, had arranged the event through social media. Over the course of an hour, the shoppers plucked soy candles, pillows, purses and ornate jewelry from the shelves.
Fashion on The Roll: Mobile Boutiques Hit the Trailer Scene
Austin, TX – Good food is not the only thing that Austinites can purchase from a rolling truck; now they also can buy stylish outfits on the street. A growing number of local boutiques are revamping trailers and vans and converting them into hip, artistic retail shops on wheels.
Lose any unglamorous images of rummaging through the back of an old, hot truck. Local mobile shops are all about creating a unique experience either on the street or at private events like bridal showers or birthday parties.
New Collections Feature the Top Brands Like Lolita, Jessie Steele, Working Girls and More…
C.R. Gibson, a leading manufacturer of treasured gifts that preserve, create and celebrate memories, announces the introduction of its holiday collection for 2012 featuring festive lines from top licensing partners: Lolita, Jessie Steele, Working Girls, Cid Pear and Spode, among others. Taking cues from key lifestyle trends and timeless traditions, C.R.
Swarovski Ramps up Licensed Boutique Business With New Las Vegas Casino Location
Swarovski, the leading designer and producer of fashion jewelry and crystal décor objects, in partnership with Marshall Retail Group, the largest independent retailer in the casino industry, will open a licensed boutique at the Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the last week of April. The new boutique is part of Swarovski’s ongoing strategy to expand its profitable licensed boutique business model.
Global Views Opening New Showroom During AmericasMart July Market
Global Views, a premier manufacturer of fine decorative accessories, lighting, furnishings, wall art, area rugs and more, will establish a major new Atlanta corporate presence with a 13,000 square-foot flagship showroom opening this July, according to Jeffrey L.
Cuteness + Fun + Whimsy = Fuzzles from Douglas Company
Douglas Company introduced Fuzzles™, a new breed of plush toy, at the gift and toy shows in 2010. Now, in 2012, this whimsical line, full of brilliant color, fanciful prints and polka dot fun, continues to garner the market on popularity.
Twelve brand new Fuzzles™ are hitting store shelves now.
Dogeared Jewels & Gifts Announces Official Certification as a B Corporation
Dogeared Jewels & Gifts, a trendsetting fashion brand known for innovative designs and a cool California aesthetic, is proud to announce that it has achieved certification as a B Corporation. Certified B Corporations are a new type of corporation that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.
Pedro Zapata Named Chief Operating Officer of International Market Centers
High Point, NC and Las Vegas, NV — Officials with International Market Centers, L.P. (IMC), the world’s largest operator of premium home furnishings, gift and home décor showroom and exhibition space, announced that Pedro Zapata has joined the company as Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Zapata will be responsible for integrating multiple functions, people and processes across 18 properties in Las Vegas, Nev. and High Point, N.C. This new leadership position will define and enable the delivery of the IMC experience for partners, buyers and employees.
New 2012 Green Study Results From SFC and Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams
The Sustainable Furnishings Council and sponsor Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams are releasing the fourth wave of their annual Green Home Furnishings Consumer Study conducted in April 2012.
The study was conducted among 432 female home owners across the country between the ages of 30 to 60 years.
Design Design Inc. Gift Packaging Featured on Popular ABC Sitcom
Personal expression company Design Design stole the spotlight when a popular primetime TV sitcom showcased one of their best-selling gift totes.
ABC’s Modern Family airs Wednesday nights, and on the February 8th broadcast one of the main characters was seen with Design Design’s very own Swiss Dots gift tote in black, from their Everyday collection of gift packaging and accessories.
“To see our products on screen is a thrill,” says Colin Littler, Marketing Director.
Jeremie Corp. Launches “Magical Mini Tour” Traveling Workshops
In response to the demand of an increasingly popular consumer trend in creating miniature gardens, Jeremie Corp. has launched the “Magical Mini Tour,” according to Linda Geho, Jeremie Corp. Marketing Director.
Working in conjunction with Arlena Schott from Garden Wise Living TV, Arlena is making her way from Wisconsin to California.
Mooseberry Cafe & Soap Co.
Perinton, NY – My mom has never had to wash my mouth out with soap. But if she did, I wouldn’t mind as much if she used a bar from Mooseberry Cafe & Soap Co.
This Perinton producer of handmade soaps uses ingredients such as oats, orange, poppy seeds, chocolate, lime and olive oil and ends up with soaps that look beautiful and smell delicious.
Most bars sell for $5 to $6, and you can watch them being made on-site.
New Florist Shop Sprouts up at Lake Wylie Plaza
Lake Wylie, SC – With spring blooms a new garden at Lake Wylie Plaza.
The full-service floral shop, Emily’s Garden and Gifts, will open its door Friday, April 20, with a grand opening celebration.
“I just want to be a family flower shop,” said owner Terry Weaver.
New Clothing Boutique and Art Gallery Opens in Lincolnville
St. Augustine, FL – Part business man, part artist, Kris Smith, 28, has brought new life to Lincolnville since the opening of his shop, Corner Market Boutique.
Smith keeps his shop stocked with local art, new and vintage clothing and accessories. This young business owner made use of his engineering degree by completely renovating the building which used to be the Lincolnville Library that was built in the 1920’s. Smith designed the sign and installed the flooring and shelves himself.
“I was coming up to St.
Owners’ Imaginations Run Wild at Bishop Street Toy, Gift Store
Bellefonte, PA – When I walked into Pure Imagination Toys, in the heart of Bellefonte at 102 E. Bishop St., I found Marc Tressler at the ready. He wasn’t just waiting to ring up the sale and take my money, but he was ready to find out the interests of myself and my grandsons.
Tressler and his partner, Rhett Ashley Walsh, own the store. Tressler found something to interest both boys after he showed them a new magic trick.
In the difficult economy, the two “Toy Guyz,” as they have been dubbed, have succeeded where many small business owners have failed.
Madison’s Becoming a ‘Handmade’ Destination
Madison, IL – I’m writing this from Seattle, Wash., one of my favorite cities to visit. One of the things I love most about Seattle is the vast number of local artists and local shops.
The Next Big Thing National Product Search Finalists Announced
Dallas Market Center today announced the finalists of The Next Big Thing, a national product search contest – Brobe, Accessory ConnectzTM and PotBraTM. The finalists will exhibit before an estimated 50,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 78 countries during the upcoming FINDS Dallas Temp Show, June 21-24.
Brobe is a robe with a built in bra for personal and medical use.
Boost Holiday Retail Sales with These Soft, Seasonal Toys
Retailers prepping for the 2012 holiday season are snatching up Aurora World Inc.’s (www.auroragift.com) fully animatronic Winter Wagner Bear, “WannaBes” from the best-selling YooHoo & Friends line and the adorable Merry Mouse, according to Aurora’s Senior Vice President Michael Kessler.
Mahaska Health Partnership Hospital Auxiliary Opens New Gift Shop
Oskaloosa, IA – The Mahaska Health Partnership Hospital Auxiliary is pleased to announce the opening of Whispering Tree Gifts on the MHP campus.
“We are so excited to introduce this new gift shop to the community,” Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop Manager Dorothy Vos exclaimed. “This is a new chapter for the Auxiliary.”
A grand opening celebration will be held the week of April 16. “We’re really looking forward to showing off our new gift shop. We’ll have some great door prizes and gift certificates to give away throughout the week,” Vos said.
Small Business Q&A: Chocolate Jewels Candy
East Cobb, GA – Walk into Chocolate Jewels Candy on Sandy Plains Road and get a serotonin uplift just by looking at the 28 feet of candy cases filled with truffles, caramel-oozing fudge and chocolate-covered everything.
A purchase of chocolate can be a loving expression of the golden rule: Treat yourself as you would have others treat you.
You get $3 and coins back from a $10 bill when buying two Julia’s Signature pecan toffee bars and two chocolate-covered orange rinds.