Archives: News
Gift Shop Gets New Owner
Liverpool, NS – When Anne-Marie Joudrey saw on Facebook the store was for sale, she contacted Bonny Sprague and Bonny’s daughter Candace.
Things happened quickly, and Joudrey had her first day at the shop on Feb. 15.
“I didn’t want to see another store close in Liverpool,” says Joudrey, about why she decided to buy the gift shop.
Gena’s Gems & Gifts: All Natural, Handcrafted Products
Alden, NY – What started out as just a gift shop has turned into something more for Bonnie Capozzi and her 11-year-old granddaughter Gena Capozzi. Family owned and operated, Gena’s Gems & Gifts, a shop located in Alden, offers customers an array of all natural, handcrafted bath and beauty products, as well as assorted gifts.
The store held its grand opening Saturday, Feb. 11 and just in that short amount of time, Bonnie and Gena already have plans to keep their product line growing.
Allison’s Hallmark Shop Continues Success
Milford, DE – For 16 years Kathy Reisinger and her daughter Dana Saxton have owned Allison’s Hallmark store located on 680 N Dupont Boulevard in Milford. After working for the company for several years, Kathy was given the opportunity to purchase the business from the previous owner in 1996 and brought her daughter Dana on board to begin what would become a successful family-owned business.
“There was not a lot in this town when we moved here and we wanted to offer something to the community,” commented Ms.
Rose Displays Launches Rose Digital, A New Division That Helps Retailers Tap the Power of the iPad
Rose Displays Ltd., a leading provider of signware™ to top retailers around the world, has combined forces with technology development firm Kokley, Inc. to launch Rose Digital, a new division focused on helping retailers tap the power of the iPad® to create an inspired and revolutionary shopping experience.
Rose Digital delivers a fully integrated and turnkey solution that navigates retailers from development to deployment and management of in-store iPad systems.
Hobby Grows Into Successful Firm
Rocky Mount, NC – More than 30 years ago, John and Carolyn Atkinson began selling homemade crafts out of a shop in the backyard of their home.
The business became so popular, the Atkinsons opened their first gift shop in 1991 on Country Club Road. In 1996, they moved to Tarrytown Mall. In 1998, a year before Hurricane Floyd flooded the mall, they moved into the business’ current location at 1081 N. Winstead Ave.
Since then, they have operated John’s Gifts & Reproductions in the building they own.
Demdaco, Giftcraft & Burton & Burton Partner with SnapRetail
SnapRetail, a technology company that provides the only integrated marketing and sales solution that drives increased sales and store traffic for local retailers, has announced new partnerships with over a dozen gift and home décor companies. DEMDACO/Willow Tree, Giftcraft, burton + BURTON, among others, will provide the photography and content for their product lines, which will be available to thousands of retailers nationwide who market and sell these products in their stores.
The firm also released software that enhances the vendor’s ability to manage this content.
Italian Ingenuity Turns Gift Baskets into Thriving Multi-Faceted Business
Calgary, AB – When Franca Flaviano opened her gift basket business in the basement of her home just before Christmas in 2002, she was hoping to sell about 10 baskets.
But the response to her concept overwhelmed her.
“We ended up selling 100,” says Flaviano, owner of Franca’s Italian Specialties.
“From there we decided to carry on with the project.”
Why Shopping Local Works
Newfoundland – The holiday season is well and truly over. I know that because I finally paid off all my bills. I had to makes some choices this year: go online or go to a local store. The ease of shopping online is easy to see (who doesn’t like shopping in their pyjamas?) as without the hassle of lines or having to visit a shopping centre during the holidays, stress is somewhat reduced.
Paper Dreams in Fairhaven Sells Fun, Frivolity
Fairhaven, WA – A seated dog Buddha statue looks out at a shelf of candles next to goofy magnets across from a rack of scarves beside the J.P. Patches doll. The scent of homemade fudge lingers in the air.
If it’s fun, frivolous or giftworthy, it must be at Paper Dreams in Fairhaven.
Two years after opening popular Village Books in 1980, owners Chuck and Dee Robinson expanded and moved the store two doors down, filling the then-empty space with cards and gift items that had begun to overflow the bookstore.
Store Owners Go Shopping
Huntington, WV – During a recent international gift show in New York City, six women from West Virginia strolled the aisles and pored over the exhibits, looking for the next unique item to bring to the state.
After all, with a business name like Most Unique Gifts and Paper Items Anywhere, the ladies of MUG and PIA have a lot to live up to.
“We are always working on being here for our customers and always trying to be better,” Kim Sarka Lake said. “I don’t think we can ever give that up and not try to be better.”
Mom-and-Pop Shops Still Backbone of S.J. Economy
Stockton, CA – Just a few decades ago, Americans did most of their buying and eating out in places such as Stockton’s Miracle Mile or Lincoln Center: shopping districts dominated by locally-owned, independent retailers.
But the rise of big-box stores, online retailers and chain restaurants has changed home-grown business formulas.
Now, locally-owned, independent stores capture only about 48 percent of the retail dollars spent in the United States, according to a study the Civic Economics consulting firm issued in October 2011.
Maynard’s Chocolates is Back
Winslow, ME – Wanda Theobald’s shelves and display cases at Maynard’s Chocolates were nearly bare after the recent Valentine’s Day rush.
“It’s a good problem,” the 49-year-old veteran chocolatier said.
Maynard’s Chocolates has returned to the area after a year-long odyssey that took the shop from the Hathaway Creative Center in Waterville to Freeport and then to Winslow.
The business had a strong showing over the holiday and its owners say it’s a good sign for their new location at 1 Cushman Road.
Bohemian Store Has Stood The Test of Time
Hull, UK – Some shops seem to constantly reinvent themselves and some remain seemingly unchanged for years.
Zebra, which has occupied several different sites in its existence, is one of those that appears to have stayed the same despite its differing geographical locations.
Shop Spy visited this week to see if the now legendary store is still the same as it has always been.
Scented Greatness
Rockwall, TX – Scent is commonly the forgotten sense. We as a people are always using our eyes, ears, mouth and hands to experience the world. Scent is just a second nature by product of being completely healthy and alive. Despite a typical lack of appreciation for scent Candles by Carol owner Carol Leal has found on a way to profit on pleasant smells.
Her shop, which is located just off The Square on Highway 205 offers a world of pleasant aromas and is the culmination of a lifelong dream.
“I’ve loved candles forever,” she said.
Significant Attendance Increase, Brisk Order-Writing Headline February 2012 Edition of San Francisco International Gift Fair
Trending upward since its 2009 acquisition by Urban Expositions, attendance at the February 18-21, 2012 edition of the San Francisco International Gift Fair at Moscone Center reached its highest level to date under the new management team.
High Point Furniture Market
High Point North Carolina – Sanford Designs a leading manufacturer of throws is returning to Market Suites Showroom #M 4031 for the upcoming April High Point Furniture Market after a 3 Year absence.
The decision to return say owner Peter Rubin was an easy one. Rubin states” The Home Accessory Market is definitely showing strong signs of recovery. That coupled with the many requests from our customers to show again was what made my decision simple.
Sanford Designs will be featuring throws that are Made in the USA from combinations of wonderful fibers from around the world.
Designer Gift Shop Opens in Winchester
Winchester, UK – IT has been 13 years in the making, but a boutique where shoppers can try as well as buy has opened in Winchester.
Friends Sadie Marsh and Claire Vine have finally combined their expertise into Shop and Make after years of planning.
The venue, on Stockbridge Road close to the railway station, provides a whole array of handmade items by contemporary designer makers.
It has everything from vintage paper and homemade cards to handmade jewellery and canvas artwork.
Trading Treasures
Ocean City, MD – When Treasures By The Sea, “A Trendy Home Decor Store,” located in the Decatur Business Center off Route 611 in West Ocean City, celebrated its grand opening Feb. 19, owner Rachael Almony was pleasantly surprised with the number of people who visited her shop.
“I had a lot of compliments, a lot of positive comments. People love the store,” she said. “West Ocean City doesn’t have a store like this.
Local Businesses Take Advantage of Social Media
Starkville, MS – Shane Reed joined Twitter in July 2008 and just started playing around. He didn’t expect it to be a part of Strange Brew Coffeehouse’s business — he just wanted to engage with fellow Bulldogs and customers and talk about Mississippi State. Reed, founder and CEO of Strange Brew, said the way it took off has been crazy.
A little over a week ago, Strange Brew reached over 5,000 followers on Twitter — a landmark that led to the business’s followers to receive a discount on their drinks for mentioning the tweet.
“It completely blows my mind,” he said.
Latin Flavors Lie at the Heart of Casa de Chocolates
Berekley, CA – Two Latinas originally from L.A, with a shared passion for chocolate, Mexico, and social justice, are combining forces to open Casa de Chocolates in The Elmwood today.
Amelia Gonzalez, 50, who worked for KPFA Radio for 20 years, most recently as general manager, was approached by chocolatier Arcelia Gallardo, 35, about coming on board as an angel investor for her artisan sweet treats store that pay homage to cacao’s Latin American heritage.
Gonzalez was interested, but also wanted to play an active role in the development of the budding business, which suited Ga