Archives: News
Designer Greetings Launches Brand-New Website
Designer Greetings has launched a new, completely re-designed website to highlight their extensive product offerings in the social expressions industry. As an award-winning, family-owned company, Designer Greetings produces a high-quality greeting card line – one of the largest in the world with more than 21,000 designs – in addition to boxed Christmas cards, boxed and packaged invitations & thank-you notes and a comprehensive gift wrap line.
Young Scientists Club’s 2012 Science Kits Exert Invisible Powers
If you find yourself with metal in your pockets at this year’s American International Toy Fair in New York City, then don’t be surprised when you get sucked into Booth 5214. What’s the attraction? Well, besides their personal magnetism, the scientists at The Young Scientists Club will be showing some new Magic School Bus science kits, including “Attracted to Magnificent Magnets.”
Of course, even without the magnets, you’ll be drawn to check out The Young Scientists Club’s booth.
C.R. Gibson Announces Licensing Agreement With Emily Green
C.R. Gibson, a leading manufacturer of treasured gifts that preserve, create and celebrate memories, announces a licensing agreement with Emily Green, a brand of imagination founded in 2004 by Emily Green known for its bold, colorful products that spark kids’ creativity. An expanded Emily Green collection by C.R. Gibson will debut at the 2012 Winter Markets, beginning with the Atlanta Gift Show in January. The new collection will be on display in C.R. Gibson’s newly renovated showroom in AmericasMart Building 2, Suite 1837.
MHS Licensing Launches New Brand: mamasana
MHS Licensing is pleased to announce the introduction of an inspiring new brand; mamasana™. Created by two busy moms who make sure to find time for yoga, mamasana™, is a contemporary concept that embraces the calm amidst everyday chaos and reflects the need every mama has to find the yoga in her life. A clever word play including the suffix, “asana,” yoga-speak for “pose,” mamasana (pronounced “ma-MA-sana”) is a light-hearted take on standard yoga poses applied to the activities of daily life.
Accent Decor Expands, Relocates Showroom at Winter 2012 Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market
World Market Center Las Vegas today announced Accent Décor, Inc., one of the leading gift and home décor distributors and importers, will relocate and expand their showroom for Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30 – Feb. 3, 2012.
The Georgia-based company will more than double their sole west coast showroom space to nearly 7,500 square feet and relocate to Building C, Suite C-896.
“We are extremely excited about our great move because it represents an exciting time for the Accent Décor family,” said Frank Hofland, owner of Accent Décor.
Kona Ice Creator Inventing New Products for Franchisees
Tony Lamb is one of those entrepreneurs who never stops thinking.
He developed his growing Kona Ice business of colorful shaved ice trucks in late 2007 and began franchising the concept in 2008. The business has been growing like crazy ever since, despite the recession. He sells the trucks for just under $100,000 each, complete with marketing savvy and other support. As he puts it, just add ice.
Now he’s working on an indoor family entertainment center concept that I wrote about in our Dec. 2 issue.
But that’s not the only new product he’s offering franchisees.
Flower Shop Moving to Phillips
Sioux Falls, SD – After more than 60 years selling flowers on Main Avenue, Young & Richards Floral is moving one street down to Phillips Avenue.
Cindy and Jerry Palleschi, who have owned Young & Richards about two years, have purchased the building at 220 and 222 S. Phillips Ave., and will move into the 222 site. It formerly housed the antique shop Patina.
Syracuse Area Retailers Say ‘Shop Local’ Campaigns are Helping Drive Holiday Business
Syracuse, NY – One boxed present in hand, Barb Burton of Camillus stood Sunday afternoon in the heart of Armory Square and thought about her holiday shopping this year.
Burton had just bought something at Eureka Crafts.
“I decided to come down here for the first time and shop the local shops,” said Burton, whose family moved to Central New York from Colorado last year. “It’s wonderful. You can get much more personal, individual and unique gifts.”
Belmont Shore Shop Commits to American-Made Products
Long Beach, CA – What sets Fern Solomon’s Belmont Shore shop apart from many others is what customers read on the labels and price tags: Made in America.
Ninety percent of products sold in Fern’s Garden are made in the U.S.
Solomon opened her shop 12 years ago. Her mission, as she calls it, is to sell gifts made by artists based in Southern California and across the country.
Even in the down economy, she says business at her shop at 5308 E. 2nd Street has been good.
Gift Basket Shop Opens In Falconer
Falconer, NY – If you’re looking for a gift idea and don’t want to fight traffic or customers at the large shopping centers, Falconer has a new store that may be able to help.
You Are My Sunshine Market is the new business that will feature gift baskets and also sell items usually found in them separately like candles, jams, candy, maple syrup, honey and other goods. To celebrate the store’s opening, Lisa Genco, You Are My Sunshine Market owner, will be giving away free Christmas cards with every gift basket purchased.
Mrs.
Syracuse Gets a Taste of Ghana With a New Shop in the City’s Westcott Nation
Syracuse, NY – It’s a new part of the Westcott Nation and it’s all about fair trade.
It’s Bluetree Studios, a boutique parked at 558 Westcott St. in Syracuse. The theme: Artist-made products from Ghana, with portions of the profits going to the crafters instead of the typical brokers, shipping agents and others.
Shop owner Christiana Semabia may look familiar. She’s been selling Bolga baskets — made in Ghana — and jewelry at the Central New York Regional Market for eight years. Now, the store.
Optimism High After Opening Weekend
Atlanta, GA – Thanksgiving weekend wasn’t just strong for four metro Atlanta retailers — it was spectacular.
The local retailers said it’s too soon to know whether a “blockbuster” Black Friday and “excellent” Small Business Saturday will translate into continued high sales through Christmas.
But, they said, people were both shopping the deals and spending more during the long weekend that kicked off the holiday shopping season.
Mermaid Castle Gift shop is a Labor of Love
Carolina Beach, NC – The Mermaid Castle has been around for only about six months, but its birth was nearly 30 years in the making.
In fact, the gift shop on South Lake Park Boulevard is a labor of love in the most literal sense of the word.
To understand its slow evolution, you have to go back to 1981 when owners Terri Maria and Dave Castle first met on the side of the road in Virginia.
Putting Downtown Gift Shops on Map
Fort Wayne, IN – First, there was Black Friday.
Next came Cyber Monday.
Now it’s time to get ready for Gift Shop Saturday, also known as Shop Local Saturday, Chauffeur Saturday and I-Am-Not-A-Sheep Saturday.
In truth, it is not known as any of those things. Yet.
Local Business See Uptick in Holiday Sales
Anderson, IN – Retailers are hoping statewide and national trends of a predicted increase in holiday sales hold true locally.
Kathy Flemming, who owns Seasons of the Heart with Nancy McCafferty, said they have been encouraged by the holiday shopping season so far.
“You always hope for things to be a little bit better than last year,” Flemming said. “And we have been encouraged to see the numbers rising just a little bit. The area has been very depressed the last several years, so any increase is a positive one.”
Small Businesses Strive for Holiday Sales
Wausau, WI – Janet Stellmach is busy this holiday season.
The owner of Janet’s Yarns and Crafts, 401 S. Central Ave. in Marshfield, said Black Friday and the weekend after Thanksgiving were “outstanding” for her business. She has been putting in orders of about $1,000 to restock her inventory every three days during the past couple of months.
“We were very busy on (Nov. 26).
Local View: ‘Shopping Small’ Best for Communities
Small Business Saturday 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, the entrepreneurs and families who’ve put everything on the line to run their own businesses, be their own bosses.
You’re also supporting the local economy. The chain stores are owned by big corporations headquartered someplace else, but small businesses usually are owned by people who live in the community.
Bassett Furniture Industries Signs Long-term Commitment at World Market Center Las Vegas
World Market Center Las Vegas announced today it has inked a monumental multi-year deal with Top 20 manufacturer Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: BSET). The new 20,000 square foot showroom is located in Building A, Suite A-953. The space will be open for the Las Vegas Market, which will be held from Jan. 30-Feb. 3, 2012.
PMI Leads Team of Donors to Make Christmas Bright For 10 Joplin Families Who Survived May Tornado
Thomas and Samantha are among the lucky families who made it out of the tornado without injury to themselves or their four children.
Colonial Candle Unveils New Look For Premium Candle Brand
Colonial Candle, national brand leader in premium candles and accessories, has transformed the candle brand with a fresh, new look that will be unveiled during the winter markets.