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Buzzing New Business Offers Unique Art
Alpharetta, GA – Terry Henner is a beekeeper that is generating a different sort of buzz.
Her honey production is one of the things Henner, owner of Cool Bees Artwork and Gifts, can’t keep on the shelves since opening in August at 4710 Atlanta Highway in Alpharetta.
“I sell it like crazy,” Henner said. “It’s really good wildflower honey.”
Augusta-Area Retail Sector Slowly Recovering From Recession
Augusta, GA – Americans may be complaining about the economy, but it doesn’t seem to be keeping Augusta shoppers from frequenting local stores.
Amy Epps, the owner of The Swank Co. in Surrey Center, said business is doing just fine. Her business saw its biggest drop in 2010, a year after what economists are calling the Great Recession ended, but it wasn’t anything too dramatic.
Epps said she and her head buyer, Gail Flynn, heard a buzz in 2009 from Atlanta retailers about a major sales decrease, but thought they were safe from the storm.
Fair Trade Bazaar Offers Wide Range of Merchandise
Racine, WI – From soup mixes to note pads made from elephant dung, the fair trade movement is showing how commerce can directly benefit people in need.
On Saturday at Regency Mall, Racine’s first Fair Trade and Friends Bazaar offered a wide array of products and crafts. According to the nonprofit Fair Trade USA, fair trade includes paying growers and artisans a living wage, using sustainable practices, developing communities and having no child labor or abusive employment.
“We’re a nonprofit, but we don’t do charity,” the organization’s website states.
Caravan’s Hallmark Celebrates 15 Years
Fenton, MI – “Life is a special occasion,” and now it is Caravan’s Hallmark Shop’s turn to celebrate its own milestone 15th year in business.
Caravan’s Hallmark Shop opened its doors on Silver Parkway in September 1996. Owner Judy Achey recalls that “collectibles” were a huge part of their business back then. “Department 56 is still popular, and now we carry the simple, and meaningful Willow Tree sculptured figurines,” she said.
Helping her operate the store are store manager Judy Fuller, and Mary Estep, Hallmark manager, and several other employees.
NYIGF’s “Night on Broadway” Features Rock of Ages
The raucous, five-time Tony Award® nominated Broadway musical Rock of Ages will be the featured “Night on Broadway” show during the winter 2012 edition of the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®). As part of this popular NYIGF after-hours event, market participants can purchase tickets – specially priced at $99 each – for the Monday, January 30, performance.
“Rock of Ages is incredibly funny and an absolute blast,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president.
Rose Displays’ New AnoSkin Shows Off Seasonal Colors This Holiday Season
Rose Displays’ new AnoSkin™ offers a new, easy and impactful way to add an extra touch of the holidays to in-store graphics this season.
Designed for the ultimate in versatility and ease of use, AnoSkin holds an insert 3″ in height that can be printed in any color or finish. The insert simply slides in place and is held securely with end caps, offering endless possibilities to customize the look of the holder.
Airport Gift Shop Business Celebrating a Milestone
Cosmox, BC – Comox Valley Airport is saying ‘happy birthday’ to one of its longstanding business residents.
Mid Island Gifts is celebrating 10 years at YQQ, and owner Diane Weir recalls the business’ more humble beginnings.
It started out as a kiosk at YQQ with limited stock, and then expanded to its current location when the new terminal building was constructed in 2004, thanks to help from the Community Futures Network, a federal government program.
Young Potter Joins Parents in their Work at Tater Knob
Berea, KY – After 32 years of producing art in the natural beauty of the Kentucky knob country, Sarah Culbreath and Jeff Enge are experiencing the added joy of having their 19-year old son David Enge working alongside them.
Looking completely comfortable at his own potter’s wheel, hands covered with wet clay, David smiled and continued fashioning a small clay pot.
“I am happy to have a place to be creative,” he said.
The Gourmet Kernel Brings Popistas and Oh Sweet Cheezus to Algonquin Commons
Algoquin, IL – While commuting to Chicago when she worked in the technology field, Judy Reyes says she had a lot of time to dream. Two weeks ago, her dream of opening a gourmet popcorn store has come true.
Reyes’ store, the Gourmet Kernel, located at 1724 S. Randall Road in the Algonquin Commons, is popping “Caramelt Apple” as its Flavor of the Month.
“I liked a popcorn shop in Geneva, and I watched it grow,” said Reyes, who lives in Carol Stream. “I thought it sure seemed like the ultimate semi-retirement business.”
Christmasworld, Paperworld and Creativeworld – an Outstanding Order and Information Platform
The association of trade fairs held in Frankfurt at the beginning of the year generates new impulses for the whole market. The concurrence of Christmasworld (27 to 31 January 2012), Paperworld and Creativeworld (28 to 31 January 2012) offers even more powerful synergies for both exhibitors and visitors. The products on show are seen by a larger number of visitors. Companies can attract even more international attention and have the opportunity to make contact with potential customers from other sectors.
A New Secret Weapon for Busy Moms Everywhere: ‘Rush-Hour Recipes’
With work, school and other family activities, it can be a challenge for busy parents to make tasty, budget-friendly meals. Rush-Hour Recipes, new to the bestselling Gooseberry Patch cookbook series, provides the solution with more than 230 yummy dinner recipes…most ready in 30 minutes or less!
Kids and adults alike will love the variety in Rush-Hour Recipes.
Monogram and Gift Shop Opens in Milford
Milford, OH – Whittaker carries everything from bathrobes and slippers to cloth napkins and T-shirts. All of the items can be personalized and the price includes the monogram. She also sells The Snuggle Bag – an organic-filled microwavable, freezable pillow, with interchangeable covers.
Monograms on Main opened Sept. 22 at 135 Main St. and business has been good ever since. Although she doesn’t do embroidery on the spot, Whittaker’s quick turn around is helping her keep up with demand.
Tis the Season at Douglas Company
The holiday elves at Douglas Company are busily loading Santa’s sleigh with all kinds of holiday plush for the upcoming season.
C & F announces 35th Birthday Raffle Winners
C & F Enterprises is pleased to announce the winners of its 35th Birthday raffle. “Birthday party Guests” entered the raffle at summer market shows, on the www.facebook.com/cnfei Facebook page and on the www.cnfei.comweb site through the summer.
Sue Murphy, Decoratives Buyer for Hicks Nurseries in New York won the iPad 2 grand prize. Jane Riley, Store Manager of Echoes, The Manassas Museum Store and Carol Davis, Interior Designer at Interior Home Store will both take home iPods.
Love Story Seeks a Different Happy Ending: To Help Breast Cancer Research
Most designs tell a story. At Aidan Gray Home, it is a love story: the love of a son for his mother. The mother, Marlene Weeks, invested her sense of style into her family throughout her life. Son Randal Weeks captures it daily through his unique designs to honor her, including five new lamps created especially for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“Growing up in a military family we moved frequently; my mother’s “attitude is everything” approach made every government issued house a home. She made sure each of our homes were well-dressed, warm and inviting.
Curious Chef Now Available in Australia
Curious Chef®, the first complete kitchen and utensil line designed specifically for children, has announced that their products are now available in Australia. Australian based distributor, Little Smiles, Pty, Ltd., now represents the children’s cooking utensil manufacturer.
Little Smiles, distributes products nationally within Australia to a variety of chain stores and independent retailers.
Curious Chef Available in Europe
Curious Chef®, the first complete kitchen and utensil line designed specifically for children, has announced that their products have been picked up by the European distributor YALCO.
Application Deadlines Extended for NYIGF’s Juried Divisions
The application due date for two juried, design-focused divisions at the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) has been extended.
Applications, which are available online at www.nyigf.com/apply, are due by Friday, October 14, for Handmade Designer Maker and Handmade Global Design; and Tuesday, November 1, for Accent on Design. The deadline for A+ remains on Friday, December 2. The winter 2012 NYIGF runs Saturday, January 28, through Thursday, February 2, 2012, at New York City’s Jacob K.
Maple Landmark Expands Line with Several New Products
Middlebury, VT – Growing leaps and bounds, the Schoolhouse Naturals™ brand line now has several new items to appeal to a widening audience. The Schoolhouse Natural™ brand introduces 6 new products for the Holiday buying season. All of the new items are crafted from responsibly harvested hardwood maple, have laser engraved detailing and have no finish.
Toddlers will enjoy the Gardentown Cars. The Inchworm Bus measures about 6″ long and almost 3″ tall and is cut from a solid piece of 1″ maple. The Bean Car is about 6″ long, 3″ tall and 1″ thick.
Scandle® Body Candle Announces New Line of Eco-friendly Beauty and Spa Accessories
Dallas, TX – Scandle® LLC, the leading manufacturer and wholesaler of the finest quality massage candles and eco-friendly spa beauty products, today announces the addition of fair trade beauty and spa accessories into their award-winning, sustainable product line.
Scandle®, LLC, a leader in the “green” beauty industry, introduces their new Sole Survivor Foot Therapy Kit which include travel sized versions of The Scandle® Lotion Candle, Scandle®’s Energizing Leg & Foot Spray, and Scandle®’s Energizing Foot Scrub enclosed in a fair trade cosmetic bag.