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State House to Open a Gift Shop and Visitor Center
Providence, RI – Pretty soon visitors may be able to bring home small trinkets and souvenirs to indicate that they visited the Rhode Island State House.
“When you walk into the State House up on the first floor on the left there will be a small room that is a visitor center slash gift shop where people can get information about their State House,” Secretary of State Ralph Mollis told the WPRO Monring News with Tara Granahan and Andrew Gobeil.
Although Mollis is implementing the gift shop it was not his idea.
Jonathan Adler Plans to Open D.C. Store in May
Washington, D.C. – Jonathan Adler has always had a big Washington following for his mod-meets-traditional home-furnishings line. So on May 22, when the New York designer plans to open a signature shop in Georgetown, he’s going to stock plenty of hot-pink wool throws, stoneware horses and acid-yellow needlepoint pillows.
“A lot of my references have a sort of updated take on the WASP-y country-club style that is very Georgetown,” says Adler, who started his design life as a potter. “Georgetown is one of those singular places in the world with such a distinct character.
Store Owner Dreams of Supporting Budding Women Entrepreneurs
Ontario, CA – Jennifer Maxwell is the owner of Day Dream Believers. As a child of the 1970s, she grew up listening to the Anne Murray version of the Monkees tune Day Dream Believer.
It’s a song that she sang to her younger sister when they were young children.
“I think everybody needs to believe in day dreams. Sometimes life gets tough and it’s the day dreams that get you through,” she said.
Maxwell started her business almost two years ago after she and her husband and three teenage boys moved to Paisley from Collingwood.
It’s Been a Family Affair at Lemon Tree Pottery in Brewster
Brewster, MA – It may not be the oldest retail business in town (The Brewster Store dates from 1866), but Lemon Tree Pottery is up there.
While Lemon Tree Village on Route 6A looks to be of recent vintage, the pottery shop has been there 48 years, and remains in the family of the founder, the most appropriately named Jane Potter.
Potter graduated from Barnstable High School in 1953, attended Massachusetts College of Art in Boston and then moved to Brewster.
‘Lucky Ink’ Gift and Body Art Shop Gives Local Artists a Platform
Sewickley, PA – Dawn Morris has turned her love of art, charity and all things local into a new business on Broad Street in Sewickley.
“Lucky Ink,” at 422 Broad St., officially opens today and features an array of gift items, jewelry, clothing, bags, candles, key chains, dolls, art and all-around hip items that are either made locally or in the United States. A door separates the boutique from the body art shop, which Morris said is the first in the village of Sewickley.
“We have something for everybody,” said Morris, of Sewickley.
Pinch Me, and Have Some Fudge
Casper, WY – Tucked back on University Court is a little, yellow house. Its neighbor, Ace Hardware, fronts Second Street. The little house, originally built downtown in 1911 and moved to this location, is now the home of All Through the House and Deb’s Fudge Shop.
Walking into the house, it feels as if you’re visiting a family member.
Scott Eckman Named Chief Marketing/Strategy Officer of International Market Centers
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 Scott Eckman has joined the company as Chief Marketing Officer/Chief Strategy Officer (CMO/CSO).
In the newly created position of CMO/CSO, Eckman will be responsible for defining and driving all strategic, corporate development and marketing activities across the IMC organization.
Aurora’s 2012 Plush is Tantalizingly Two-Toned
Aurora World Inc. (http://www.auroragift.com) shimmers and shines into 2012 using fresh, two-toned fabric for a number of its new lines including Sweet & Softer, Wishful Bear, Silly Monkey and Jewel Pets. The short pile plush appears reflective and bright from one angle and soft and smooth from another.
Sandra and Roy’s Boutique Coming To Ocean City
Ocean City, NJ – For the past 12 years, Sandra Merlino and Roy Zucker of Sandra and Roy’s Boutique in Linwood have served customers looking for contemporary designer clothing, accessories, shoes and jewelry.
Although located in Linwood, Zucker says that many of his customers come from surrounding areas—including Ocean City and other beach towns, even as far south as Wildwood.
Kellogg’s LARK Among ‘Coolest Toy Stores’
Kellogg, MN – When LARK Toys co-owner Kathy Gray got an email from a Reader’s Digest Canada writer a few weeks ago, she really didn’t think much of it.
“(The writer) said, ‘I’m doing a piece on toy stores, and I’m including you,'” Gray said, adding that she emailed back a few photos of the store and went on with her day.
But when she saw the finished piece last weekend, Gray was surprised at what the magazine had printed.
Shop Seeks Flow of New and Different
Linwood, NJ – Joelle’s Card & Gift Boutique carries a variety of cards and unique gifts, always changing them up to keep things new.
We just added the largest selection of Melissa & Doug toys in Atlantic County.
We also do invitations, and we take 20 percent off the book price of personalized invitations.
NYIGF to Produce New “Open House” Trend Display in Partnership With One Kings Lane, Sandow Media & Pantone
A brand-new “Open House” exhibit will showcase 2013 home furnishings trends – from materials and color to commerce and branding – at the summer 2012 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®).
Gift and Decor Shop Moving into Downtown Glens Falls Space Bookstore Left
Glens Falls, NY – The prime downtown Glens Falls storefront where Dog Ate My Homework closed a few weeks ago didn’t stay vacant long.
Downtown Charm, a gift and home decor shop previously located in a basement space in the back of the Colvin building is relocating and expanding its merchandise line at the street-level space on the west side of Glen Street.
“We’ll be open this weekend for the basketball tournament,” said Kerry Ducey, co-owner of the business with her sisters, Alissa Bevivino and Christine Izzo.
‘Cash Mob’ Patronizes Parker Shop
Parker, CO – A local business owner got a welcome surprise when her store suddenly became packed with customers bent on spending some cash.
It was a slow weekday morning like any other March 15 until a “cash mob” spilled in through the doors of Fruits of Our Spirit near Mainstreet and Victorian Drive.
Hand-Crafted Candle Lanterns in Harleston Which Don’t Melt Away
Harleston, UK – A craftswoman who sells beautifully hand-made candles from her shop in Harleston has had another bright idea – candle lanterns which don’t burn away when you light them.
Mother-of-three Sue Kuzmic, 41, opened Batty Candle Shop in Church Street in 2009, turning a hobby into a thriving family-run Aladdin’s cave of a store and online business.
Her skills have developed over the years and now she may be the only person in the country hand-crafting candle lanterns.
Dates & Location Change for Launch of Artisan Resource at NYIGF
The dates and location have been changed for the summer 2012 debut of Artisan Resource™, a first-of-its-kind artisan production-sourcing event for U.S.-based volume importers, direct import retailers and wholesalers.
Wine is Life Joins the Thirstystone Line
Thirstystone Resources, Inc. is at it again, this time partnering with Wine is Life® to create a “grape-inspired” group of products depicting whimsical wine imagery. Thirstystone’s Wine is Life® Collection covers a wide variety of products – from coasters and coordinating trivets to mini appetizer plates and barware to bamboo and glass serveware! Double-sided paperboard pub-style coasters are great for casual get-togethers, while printed bamboo coasters or cork coasters and trivets, combined with the etched wood cutting board lend a natural feel to your festivities.
Have a Hoot with Lazart!
Lazart Production, Inc.®© introduces a real “Whoo’s Whoo” for 2012. With owl designs swooping in as one of the hottest trends in home décor, retailers will have a hard time keeping these products in their stores! These high-quality, American-made, laser-cut steel pieces will be soaring off the shelves before they ever get the chance to roost. Choose from full-sized wall art that is sure to make a dramatic statement, to smaller pieces designed to hang in the window. Bringing the beauty of the outdoors into a room has never been easier or more affordable.
Acclaimed Actress Barbara Eden and The Trail of Painted Ponies Sponsor Women Across America in the Fight Against Breast Cancer!
Acclaimed Actress Barbara Eden and The Trail of Painted Ponies are partnering to sponsor women across America in the fight against breast cancer!
Women in 14 cities will be participating in run/walk events to end breast cancer this summer and fall.
American Paper & Plastic Joins Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market
American Paper & Plastic is the latest gift manufacturer to join World Market Center Las Vegas’ growing roster of permanent showrooms in Building C. The company will open a new 1,218-square-foot showroom for the Gift+Home show at Summer Las Vegas Market, July 30 – Aug. 3.
The Hamilton, Ohio-based manufacturer of customized retail and gift packaging will open its new showroom in Building C, Suite C-933.