Archives: News
New retail shop moving into ex-16 Hands on South Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor
The owners of a retail shop in Tecumseh recently signed a lease to open a new location on South Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor.
The store, Rock Paper Scissors, plans to open in the former 16 Hands galley space at 216 S. Main St. by June 1, said co-owner Lisa Roberts.
Roberts described Rock Paper Scissors as a gift shop with an eclectic mix of products. From wine glasses with a chalkboard base to personalized stationery and wedding invitations, Roberts said the store keeps it “fun and fresh.”
“We don’t have a lot of stuff that other people would carry,” she said.
From online to bricks and mortar: The local gift business bucking the online trend
While many businesses are shifting focus away from traditional retail and onto the online marketplace, Brisbane-based gift and homewares store Dandelyon is doing the opposite.
The idea of Dandelyon Gifts came to Julie Dodge in a dream about an angel handing her a dandelion in July 2010. It sparked her husband Greg Dodge to register the business the very next day, and the pair eagerly embraced the online marketplace and spent the next three months creating an eStore that featured over a thousand gift and homeware products.
Abbey Press Gift Sets Delight Those “Thirsting for the Word”
Inspirational giftware wholesaler Abbey Press announces the June 30, 2012 debut of “Thirsting for the Word,” a line of matching mugs and trays featuring refreshing Scripture verses and artwork by Sharyn Sowell.
Well known for her beautiful watercolors, as well as her unique scissor-cut and mixed media art, Sowell has created botanical designs to adorn the four 8-oz. cups.
Seminars & Special Events Planned for Summer 2012 Debut of Artisan Resource at NYIGF
White Plains, NY — A series of free educational programs and special events will be among highlights of the summer 2012 debut of Artisan Resource™ at the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®). Value-added activities, which include seminars for both exhibitors and attendees and onsite receptions, will be offered over four full days – Saturday, August 18, through Tuesday, August 21 – at New York City’s Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 92.
Douglas Company Introduces Tatty Teddy Love & Friendship Collection
Keene, NH — What better way to deliver a message of love and friendship than a special message delivered by Tatty Teddy™. Tatty Teddy is the adorable gray teddy bear with a cute blue nose that took the UK and Europe by storm, and is now arriving in the US and Canada. Douglas recently launched the Tatty Teddy Love & Friendship Collection. Tatty Teddy is the endearing character behind the bestselling Me to You brand, created by Carte Blanche in 1995.
The Love and Friendship Collection includes nine bears in the initial series.
Mark Furlet Joins Americasmart Atlanta As Senior Vice President/Leasing
Atlanta, GA — The AmericasMart Atlanta home furnishings franchise growth continues its strong ascent with the appointment of Mark Furlet as Senior Vice President/Leasing for Building One Home category permanent showrooms, according to Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., president and chief operating officer of AmericasMart parent company AMC, Inc.
Furlet joins AmericasMart from dual appointments at the Chicago Merchandise Mart, where he served as vice president in charge of all gift and home business, and at the L.A.
Planet Dog’s Wood Chuck Receives Green Spirit Award
Portland, ME – Planet Dog is proud to bark about another award the socially responsible pet industry leader has fetched for its popular, eco-friendly ball tosser – the Wood Chuck®. The Green Spirit Awards are selected by the editors of PET AGE, the pet industry trade magazine. The winners are announced in the April 2012 Green Spirit issue.
The Green Spirit Awards began in 2008 with the launch of the annual Green Spirit issue to recognize the products and companies that exemplify “Green Spirit”.
Love St Andrews shops initiative for Easter
Shops in St Andrews are gearing up for a special campaign designed to help the local retail economy which, like other towns and cities across the country, has suffered a downturn in recent times.
Behind the fun Easter initiative promoting local shopping are members of the St Andrews Merchants’ Association.
The association, which promotes the interests of shops and businesses in St Andrews, is beginning a “Love St Andrews Shops” promotion of its independent shops and businesses.
Lindsey Adam, president of the association and owner of the popular gift shop, Bonkers, to
Sweet & Salty Snack Trend Confirmed by Society Hill Snacks
Philadelphia, PA – Leading snack and food industry associations agree – the union of salty and sweet flavor profiles is one of the fastest growing trends in snacks. Recent research by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT), the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), and the National Confectioners Association (NCA), all unanimously confirm the popularity salty/sweet trend.
Urban Moonshine’s New Organic Joy Tonic Calms the Mind and Uplifts the Spirit Naturally
Burlington, Vermont – Urban Moonshine’s new Organic Joy Tonic delivers a powerful blend of aromatic herbs and flowers to ease tension in the body while calming the mind of stress and anxiety. The herbs used in the Joy Tonic can help to adjust the level of tension in the nervous system, internal organs, and blood vessels.
PRAIM Group Introduces Andy Warhol Chocolate Bars
Boston, MA – PRAIM Group, a food licensing, marketing and distribution company today announced an agreement with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc., to create and distribute a line of all-natural chocolate bars featuring Andy Warhol, one of America’s best known artists and iconic personalities.
Spring Open House offered by local retailers
Newport, Ark. — The Retail Merchants Committee of the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce has organized the Second Annual “Sip & Shop” Spring Open House at several local retailers.
The event is designed to promote local businesses by giving patrons an opportunity for a one-day-only shopping experience to include extended hours, refreshments, special discounts and drawings.
The Open House will be held Tuesday, April 17 from 2-7 p.m. The spring event will include a coupon exchange offering $5 off purchases at participating locations (minimum $10 regular priced item).
Paul Watson Promoted to Vice President of Design of International Market Centers
High Point, NC & Las Vegas, NV — Executives from International Market Centers, L.P. (IMC), the world’s largest operator of premium home furnishings, gift and home décor showroom and exhibition space, announced the promotion of Paul Watson to Vice President of Design, IMC.
In his new position, Watson oversees the management and leasing for Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center, the 40-plus showroom venue that is open to both the public and the trade.
The Merchandise Mart Announces Exciting Changes to Enhance the Gift Industry Buying Experience
Chicago — Today The Merchandise Mart, the world’s largest commercial building and epicenter of fine design, announced that in the coming months a thoughtful reconfiguration of the Mart’s gift industry floors will commence, offering retailers a more enjoyable, seamless experience while shopping the superb showroom offerings.
The gift showrooms, currently located throughout floors 13 and 14, will now be unified on one floor creating a collection of essential gift, home and seasonal offerings. The concentration of showrooms on the 13th floor of The Mart will allow M
Harvest Sweets now offers Dark & Milk Chocolate Covered Cranberries
Pocasset, MA.… Cape Cod Provisions now offers plump, luscious, premium dark and milk chocolate covered cranberries in their Harvest Sweets® packaging. Previously, the all-natural treats were only available under the company’s Cape Cod Cranberry Candy™ brand. “Our Harvest Sweets® line has seen tremendous growth in the past few years” said Cape Cod Provisions founder and President, Sue Faria.
Martha’s Vineyard Florist and Gifts expands
Ellen O’Brien, principal owner and florist for MV Florist and Gifts, has grown her love for flowers from a home-based business that she started in 2009 to a new storefront at 12 Mariners Way, adjacent to the Edgartown Post Office shopping area.
The store celebrated its grand opening on March 31. What was a home business in Ms. O’Brien’s basement is now its own store. “People wanted to come to my home floral design studio to see what flowers I had,” Ms. O’Brien explained. “It was difficult because it was in my crowded basement.
Zookies comes to Toluca Lake
If there is one thing an LA mom knows how to do, that is shopping. LA moms know what’s hot, what’s green, what their families needs to stay in the know while also being well-connected to their communities. Lora Jakobsen is just that LA mom except she went one step further.
Lombardi’s an Italian oasis and more
Fairport, N.Y. — It’s a gourmet, but also a gift shop. So, what is Lombardi’s, exactly? The store is overflowing with food and kitchen accessories to serve more than one purpose.
“We can feed you and set your table,” said co-owner Mary Lombardi, who runs shop with brother Anthony. Their brother John, who runs his own store in Syracuse, also helps operate both locations.
Before the eight Lombardi children and their parents came to the U.S.
Aurora Releases Signature Premium Plush
Details announced today for “Signature by Aurora®”, describe a brand new, high-end plush animal line handcrafted using sumptuous materials and personal attention to detail. Toy and gift manufacturing giant Aurora World Inc. (http://www.auroragift.com) unveiled its all new Signature collection to very enthusiastic buyers earlier this year at New York’s International Toy Fair.
State award given to Sioux City gift shop owner
Sioux City — Wendy Wright opened a small Sioux City retail store with a catchy name and unique merchandise in August 2010.
Get Funky Gifts & Stuff turned a profit just five months later. Last June, the shop moved a block to its current location at 4273 Sergeant Road to gain greater traffic and visibility. In the first four months there, sales increased nearly 100 percent.
A guerilla marketing campaign, focusing on social media sites such as Facebook, Twiter and Pinterest, also contributed to the rising sales.