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Amish Wares Opens in Ontario
Ontario, OH – Hundreds of Amish-made products, including wagon wheels and decorative barn stars, are featured at a new Ontario business.
Vern and Kelli Christian, of Mansfield, opened Amish Wares on Friday at 2151 Stumbo Road.
Vern Christian, who formerly worked in law enforcement, said about six years ago he and his wife started the business online from their living room. It expanded to the basement and then to a shop on their property. They were facing the possibility of losing a home before attending a seminar about building an online business.
The Gift Shop That Just Keeps on Giving
Monroe, LA – Over the last 37 years, proceeds from the sale of Tootsie Rolls, LSU gear and more at the LSU Medical Center Health Sciences-E.A. Conway Auxiliary Gift Shop has led to almost $1 million for the Monroe hospital.
Auxiliary purchases, identified based on the hospital’s needs, have run the gamut from a defibrillator to grief counseling packets and cash registers for the cafeteria. Recently, the Auxiliary purchased much needed furnishings for the ER waiting room.
Small Business Saturday: The Most Important Shopping Day of the Year
You hear a lot about Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but Small Business Saturday may just be the most important shopping day of the year. Why? Because it matters more to our economy, and to our communities.
Small Business Saturday is about Main Street, not Wall Street. It’s about entrepreneurs and families selling things that the chains and e-commerce companies aren’t. Only small businesses can offer truly unique gifts and the most genuinely friendly customer service.
Small Business Saturday is also about supporting the local economy.
Dallas Market Center Announces Key Home Décor Trends for 2012
Dallas Market Center, the world’s most complete wholesale marketplace, today announced four key trends in home décor and design, as selected by Alden Clanahan, vice president of trend direction and design, Dallas Market Center. These trends can be found throughout the 5 million square foot Dallas Market Center campus, which is open Monday-Friday as well as Market weekends.
White Ginger Announces New Showroom at Atlanta AmericasMart
The White Ginger rep firm has announced the opening of a new showroom at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. The grand opening is to take place from January 11-18, 2012 in Building 2, showroom #811.
White Ginger’s lifestyle showroom will be a 2,600 square-foot showcase of progressive gifts from 30 innovative manufacturers and artists.
New Shop Showcases ‘Eco-friendly’ Gifts, Books
Racine, WI – A Downtown shop set to open soon will be so eco-friendly, it won’t even have a cash register.
Anything’s Possible, 237 Main St., will feature consignment art — all of it incorporating “repurposed” items — and used books, said shop owner Marie Boyum. The shop will also carry gifts including candles and raw, organic honey that Boyum, a beekeeper, extracts from her own hives.
“Heating takes away the medicinal properties,” she explained about why she keeps her honey raw.
American Express offers holiday shoppers cash bonus for buying local on Small Business Saturday
On Black Friday, it’s guaranteed that the big box stores and national retailers will be mobbed with people seeking never-before-seen deals designed to draw in the crowds and their holiday dollars.
It’s a tradition.
But what about the next day? A growing contingent of people — including credit card giant American Express — are encouraging people to create a new tradition: Shun the big box stores on that Saturday after Thanksgiving and focus their spending at small businesses.
It’s called Small Business Saturday.
Lae Dee Bugg Leads The Way
Talented artist, Leslie Ann Clark’s new Lae Dee Bugg is a charming character, targeting the ‘tween market (especially 8 to 12-year olds), with inspiring motifs and fun, colorful artwork. Leslie Ann Clark is one of the gifted artists promoted by LICENSING LIAISON to a number of trend-setting product manufacturers.
”Lae Dee Bugg is a typical 101⁄2-year old, with flaming red hair,” beams Clark, whose PeepsqueekTM character is now a featured celebrity in a new children’s book from Harper Collins. “She’s curious, bright, fun and in love with life!
Gift+Home Offers Industry Practical, Educational Seminars for Winter 2012 Las Vegas Market
Gift+Home today announced its exciting lineup of complimentary educational seminars during the upcoming Winter 2012 Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30 – Feb.
Holiday Shopping Gets Local Twist with Small Business Saturday
Fremont, OH – Love it or hate it, Black Friday traditionally is a kickoff to the holiday shopping season, and can be a key day for retailers across the country.
The day after Thanksgiving, featuring early morning dashes for deep discounts at big-box stores, is followed by Cyber Monday, in which shoppers go online to find even more discounts.
Now, small businesses are finding their niche in between the two.
America’s Magnificent Carpets Awards Promise New Excitement as Design and Creative Achievement is Honored
America’s Magnificent Carpets Awards (AMCA) – the area rug industry’s most celebrated event exclusively honoring the best of the best in area rug design and creative achievement – will again be presented at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market featuring the National Oriental Rug Show, which takes place Jan. 12-15 with Temporaries, Jan. 13-15. The Atlanta International Area Rug Market runs in conjunction with the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, which takes place Jan. 11-18.
Make It Your Own with Douglas Company’s Embroidery Program
Plush toy maker and lifestyle gift creator Douglas Company is offering retailers a new Embroidery Program. Add an embroidered emblem to a T-shirt worn by a plush animal or add an embroidered emblem to a Canvas Tote carrying a plush animal and showcase your Company Logo or Regional Destination.
There are eight T-shirt wearing 10″ animals to choose from that include a moose, black bear, chocolate or caramel bear, golden retriever, horse, black lab or dolphin.
Las Vegas Market Launches Introductory Exhibitor-Focused Webinar Series
Las Vegas Market has launched a new series of webinars designed to assist tenants and exhibitors in planning for the upcoming Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30-Feb.
New Gift Shop Dalton Pratt Opens in North Georgetown
Washington, DC – If you know how to look, good gifts aren’t hard to find. Here’s our sure-fire shortcut: Find a store you feel perfectly embodies your recipient, then let the friendliest saleslady on the floor guide you to the most interesting items. If there’s a posh woman-about-town you’re ready to test the theory on, you’re in luck—Dalton Pratt, a new home goods and accessories shop, opened across from Georgetown’s Social Safeway last Thursday.
At the helm are two women with boutiquing in their blood.
Occasions Gift Store Debuts at Cabin John Mall
Potomac, MD – Potomac native Stephanie Menick is living her dream! Her new gift store, Occasions opened just two weeks ago in Cabin John Mall. The store offers an eclectic collection of one-of-a-kind gifts and custom gift baskets for every occasion.
Menick worked at Party Etc., a gift store located in the same mall as a teenager attending Churchill High School. She loved the gift business and had always aspired to own her own shop. Ten years ago, she established a corporate gift basket company from her home in Gaithersburg.
Why Holiday Shoppers Are Thinking Local
Economic concerns linger, but mom-and-pop retailers say they finally have some cheer for this holiday shopping season.
Nearly half are more optimistic about holiday sales than last year, according to a new survey of 792 small retailers by online small-business community Manta. Four in 10 say they already have better sales compared with last fall.
“More than ever, the consumers in our community really seem to understand the value of shopping locally,” said Jodi Black, co-owner of Conover, N.C.-based Beautiful Brains Books and Games.
Ridley Park’s Primitive Place Features Unique Gifts and Holiday Decor
Ridley Park, PA – For those who are having a little trouble getting into the holiday spirit, one step inside the Primitive Place and Country Store in Ridley Park will have everyone singing carols and ho-ho-hoing in no time flat! The sparkling lights, shiny ornaments on the trees and yummy scents are guaranteed to put even Scrooge in holiday mode.
Do Your Black Friday Shopping at Cosley Zoo!
Wheaton, IL – This year, try holiday shopping at your local Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo: Cosley Zoo! The Wild Side gift shop is always stocked with fun toys, captivating ornaments and unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
“Let everyone else claw their way through the crowds at the mall,” said AZA Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Strategies, Jill Nicoll.
Small Business Saturday Set for November 26
Naperville, IL – Right in the midst of towns across the country are business districts of hometown shops and services. Some see them as the backbone of America. And in order to celebrate these institutions, Saturday, November 26 has been designated Small Business Saturday, a day to support local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy, and preserve neighborhoods and a way of life.
Shopping is such a national obsession as the holidays approach, that certain days have taken on new labels.
Local Shops Excited About Small Business Saturday
Sioux City, IA – Instead of Black Friday, local businesses are hoping you’re going to come and enjoy Shop Local Saturday.