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Small Businesses in Kalamazoo Report Improved Holiday Sales
Kalamazoo, MI – The Wild Goose Chase is what some would call camera-ready for the holiday season.
Fully decorated Christmas trees adorn the front and west portions of the 22-year-old business’ sales floor.
Bing Crosby and a potpourri of holiday-season regulars crooned softly over store loudspeakers.
Bungalow Offers Unique Home Decor
Fergus Falls, MN – The first thing that hits you when you walk into Bungalow is the color. Vibrant green glassware is laid out on the table in front of the door, with dark, vivid purple decor arranged on the right wall. Take a peek in the “country room,” and you’ll find some homey reds and oranges to give your porch or living room a folksy touch.
Bungalow, located at 212 1/2 West Lincoln Ave., is aiming to be the place to shop in Fergus Falls for home decor and unique gifts, according to store manager Dan Fronning.
Think Small and Big Dreams Will Come True
Muscatine, IA – Ten years ago, Muscatine developer Tom Meeker and his wife Ann, made a trip to the small town of Blue Grass, some 15 miles away, to make a request.
They were hoping that Blue Grass gift shop owner Bev Thumann would consider moving her business, Just Because, to their new Pearl Plaza, a shopping and business complex carved out of a chunk of downtown Muscatine that had seen better days.
Thumann had enjoyed success with her gift shop, set up in a historic Blue Grass home, but the thought of moving to downtown Muscatine was enticing.
She’s never regretted accep
Quality Guaranteed at Karmays Flowers & Gifts
Jackson, MI – Mary Lou Jennings and her cousin, Kay Mykala, started Karmays Flowers & Gifts in 1978. After three years, Mykala left the business and Jennings became the sole owner. When the flower shop opened three decades ago, it was located in Jackson Crossing. In 1990, Jennings opened a second location for the business at 1055 Laurence Ave. Two years later, the mall location closed and the Laurence Avenue location underwent a large addition, doubling in size.
‘Shop Local’ Campaign Helping Businesses Enjoy a Great Holiday Season
Redlands, CA – Redlands business owners Terri Sharp and Monika De La Paz-Zermeno were prepared for the worst.
Instead, their shops have flourished during the holidays.
And Sharp, owner of decor boutique “Peek Inside,” and De La Paz-Zermeno, owner of gift and home shop “Fleur de Lis,” say they owe it all to Redlanders who chose to shop local.
“I was hoping it wouldn’t be horrible,” Sharp said. “The year had been horrible up till now. But it really has been a giant turnaround.”
Sweet Success: Jo-Ann’s Candy House in Wilton Celebrates 30 Years in Business
Saratoga Springs, NY – Whether it’s the smell of homemade chocolate, the colorful display of candy or both, it’s hard to deny the appeal of Jo-Ann’s Candy House located in The Shoppes at Wilton plaza off of Route 50.
Now celebrating the local shop’s 30th holiday season, owner Gene Bruno knows a thing or two about how to create a successful shopping experience for his customers.
“We try to hit all the senses with the music, the display and the smell,” Bruno said while gesturing at the rows of candy.
Sweet Repeats Undergoes Expansion
Lompoc, CA – As of Nov. 23, T & T’s Sweet Repeats is more than twice the size it was when it opened in June — enlarging from 7,000 square feet to 17,000 square feet.
Though a few different business ventures tried to set up shop in the former Pacific Fitness spot at 118 W. Ocean Ave., it was Teddy and Teresa Grossini’s T & T’s Sweet Repeats that had the right idea at the right time.
Expanding from 110 W. Ocean Ave., Sweet Repeats now entirely fills what was once Moore’s Department Store with an eclectic mix of new, used, antique and handcrafted goods.
Small Businesses Need Support all Year
Hattiesburg, MS – Small Business Saturday (Nov. 26) has come and gone, but shoppers should support small businesses all year long.
When you support small business, any small business, you’re supporting Main Street, not Wall Street. You’re supporting your friends and neighbors. You’re also supporting the local economy.
The chain stores are owned by big corporations headquartered someplace else, but small businesses are usually owned by people who live in the community.
When you shop at a small business, you’re supporting your hometown, your neighborhood.
Movement May Have Foothold in Fitchburg
Fitchburg, MA – Jesica LeGay has issued a challenge for people to shop in Fitchburg during the month of December.
This is also something she did herself.
Nearly everyone on her Christmas list will receive presents bought here. (LeGay did pick up gifts for her children at Toys ‘R Us in Leominster.)
This push to shop locally is part of LeGay’s “Taking Back Fitchburg” campaign, an effort that has drawn praise from area merchants.
Katydid in Wayne Adds New Signature Line of Sports Memorabilia
Wayne, PA – With a name like Katydid you wouldn’t expect to find walls covered with photos of bruising hockey defensemen and menacing linebackers.
Yes, you’ll still find handbags, stuffed animals, fine stationery, greeting cards, wedding invitations and baby gifts, all hallmarks of this longtime Wayne store.
But now Katydid has another signature product – a full line of signed sports memorabilia sure to appeal to the guy who may be somewhat hesitant to venture into a shop where a cute, little green insect appears above the door.
The hottest gifts of the year
Among the most wished-for gifts this holiday season are — no surprise — iPads, smartphones, e-readers and video games. High-tech again is the rage.
But beyond digital, other items are trending hot as consumers approach the final shopping days — animal hats, white watches, boots and Barbie, for example. Fashion accessories are particularly popular this holiday season, retail analysts say.
And while there’s no shortage of tech-savvy kids, plenty of youngsters still want dolls, Hot Wheels and Legos.
Apparel remains the No.
A permanent trend of pop-up shops
Big Little Fudge has only about 200 square feet of space at Market Street in the Woodlands, but can still lay claim to some big-time retail neighbors: stores such as Tiffany & Co., Norton Ditto and Sur La Table.
Unlike those stores, however, Big Little Fudge is only open there a few weeks out of the year.
Male Academy Museum: Historical Society Gift Shop a Great Christmas Shopping Spot
Newnan, GA – If you need some last minute yet unique stocking stuffers, or a special gift for the history buff on your list, look no further than the gift shop of the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society.
The gift shop, located within the Male Academy Museum, supports the non-profit historical society. The museum is located at 30 Temple Ave. in Newnan.
Shoppers pay no sales tax on the store’s products, which range from Coweta history books to local honey, and ornaments. “We have stocked it with local things,” said Norma Haynes of the historical society.
Winter 2012 Home Textiles Market Week Features 600 Suppliers at Five New York City Locations
New York City will host the largest market for home textiles resources in the United States, January 27-February 2, 2012, with Home Textiles Market Week® in New York presenting some 600 bed, bath, linen and home fashion vendors at five venues across New York City: NYIGF at the Jacob K.
Canadian Home Furnishings Manufacturer Sonax Inks Deal for New Permanent Showroom at Winter 2012 Las Vegas Market
World Market Center Las Vegas announced today that Sonax will be opening a new permanent showroom at Winter 2012 Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30-Feb. 3, 2012.
The Canada-based manufacturer of contemporary home furnishings will open a 4,400 square foot showroom in Building B, Suite B-646.
“Although we have been an exhibitor at the Las Vegas Market for the past four shows, this coming year represents the first time that we have become a permanent tenant.
L.A. Mart Announces Permanent Showroom Expansions, Long-Term Lease Renewals, Relocations and Openings Debuting at the January 2012 California Gift Show
Sixteen permanent showrooms make the L.A. Mart’s list of ‘Showrooms in the News’ as the countdown to 2012 and CGS begins. Illustrating a renewed groundswell of confidence in the Southern California region as well as the L.A. Mart, the commitments from these sixteen showrooms total nearly 50,000 square-feet of year-round, showroom space. The retail community will have greatly increased resources at their fingertips, reinforcing L.A.
WILLIAMSBURG Grows Trend Meets Tradition Platform in Atlanta
The WILLIAMSBURG brand continues to expand with introductions from more than 10 licensees at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, Jan 11-18. Each new product fuses contemporary décor trends with entertaining and decorating traditions of the past, using Colonial Williamsburg’s rich archive as inspiration.
The Royal Standard Opens Second Dallas Showroom
Dallas Market Center, the world’s most complete wholesale marketplace, and The Royal Standard today announced the opening of the second The Royal Standard showroom in Dallas. The new space, located in World Trade Center 2-239, will be in addition to the existing showroom in Trade Mart 2-2030. The combined 8,100 square feet features products in categories ranging from tabletop, holiday, housewares and gift to pillows, jewelry, and fashion accessories.
Well Prepared for Christmasworld 2012 – Exclusive Services From The iPhone App to Childcare
Christmasworld will open its doors once again on 27 January 2012 and, for five days, present the latest products and main trends for all festive occasions of the coming year. A variety of services before and during the event help trade visitors plan and optimise their time at the leading international trade fair for festive decorations.
Online tickets
An easy way to save money – visitors can purchase their admission tickets online at www.christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com and print them out at home or in the office.
Planet Zak! Launches Stylish On-the-Go Products for a New Mindset
There’s a new mindset among a growing number of active adults in communities around the globe. A mindset that refuses to accept the status quo and pushes instead for the possibility of something more. A mindset that believes that fashion, function, and a strong commitment to the health of the planet don’t necessarily have to be mutually exclusive. A mindset that gave rise to Planet Zak!
By incorporating the latest global fashion trends with the most innovative product designs, Planet Zak!