Archives: News
Seasoned Retailer Expands on Store Concept with Wholesale Collection
MN – Retailer Lynne Gonsior is taking the bright colors and funky atmosphere of her Minneapolis baby stores-which MTV once dubbed the hippest in the Midwest-into design with her first wholesale collection, Über Baby Lifestyles. The line, which debuts at ABC Kids Expo this week, grew out of the private-label collection she developed to give contemporary moms and gift givers a fun, bold alternative. “I have 20 years of experience at retail, first at Saks and then at Target and Marshall Fields, but I realized my passion is design,” she said, adding that one feeds into the other.
Sweet Success for Expanding PopsyCakes Co.
Miami, FL – Until this summer, the cupcake on a pretzel stick, created by Jessica Cervantes while in high school, sold at about a dozen South Florida locations.
Eco-Innovators Start Fresh with BeginAgain Toys
Veteran eco-toymakers Chris Clemmer and David Bowen are on new adventure, telling stories of invention and studying history for inspiration. These founders of Sprig Toys Inc. are beginning again—in a big way.
BeginAgain Toys of Fort Collins, Colo., the new company created by Bowen and Clemmer, will launch this week at ABC Kids Expo (booth #2615) in Louisville, Ky., with more than 50 products. The founders’ devotion to collaboration recently led to BeginAgain’s acquisition of ImagiPLAY, a 14-year-old Boulder, Colo., company known for pioneering the eco-toy category.
Bella Taylor Handbag Collection Exceeeds 100,000 Shipped Units to Independent Retailers in 2011
More than 100,000 Bella Taylor handbags, wallets, purses and travel bags have been shipped to independent retailers in 2011, according to VHC, Inc. The number was exceeded on September 12th, and does not include sales to mass retailers. This represents a significant increase over the prior year, due to the timing of achieving this milestone number very early in the traditionally heavier fall/holiday selling season, according to the company.
From Halloween to the Holiday Season, Praim Confections Introduces New All Natural Chocolate Bars in Chic and Festive Packaging
If you want to bring a smile and even a chuckle to someone you care about this holiday season, PRAIM Confections has the ideal gift – – a highly designed, chic and fun all natural dark or milk chocolate bar. Available in nine new unique designs that start with Halloween and end with Christmas, Hanukkah and the holiday season, the 3.5 ounce bars fit perfectly into a “trick or treat” bag, stocking or greeting card.
‘A Cat and the Fiddle a Fair’: Unique Shops Draw in Customers Aplenty
Rosemount, MN – One long weekend a month, big red flags billow outside of the charming house on the edge of downtown Rosemount, beckoning passersby to stop in and explore another unique collection of antique treasures and assorted vintage finds at A Cat and the Fiddle a Fair.
Heading into their fourth year of business, A Cat and the Fiddle a Fair has been doing very well in the midst of a challenging economy and the late 2000’s recession, according to Cathy Snyder, A Cat and the Fiddle a Fair owner.
“We are an economy business,” said Snyder.
Great Lakes Artisan Village/Market Place
Holly, MI – If you are looking to support Michigan-made products, artists and manufacturers, you’ll want to stop in downtown Holly for a visit to Great Lakes Artisan Village/Market Place.
“We have expanded our square footage to accommodate the demand for even more Michigan artists and products,” said owner John LaCroix. “We started out at Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, and then moved to downtown Holly when we discovered what the store was missing was a small-town historic setting,” said LaCroix.
Business Spotlight: ‘Sheryl’s Place’ Gift Creation
Upper Dublin, PA – Sheryl Fox wanted to to create a one-stop shop in Upper Dublin for those searching for gifts for loved ones or friends. So she founded Sheryl’s Place, and now has 15 successful years of making one-of-a-kind creations as a testament to her idea.
“I customize gift packages for anybody. I have everything from Asher’s Pretzel chocolates, gourmet pastas, salsa, fresh baked goods, all sorts of different kinds of candy, hand cream, oils, teas and all different kinds of mustards,” said Fox. “It’s a gift for every occasion.
Bath Bomb Company Expands Operations From House to Tacoma Retail Store
Tacoma, WA – From the sprinkles to the industrial mixer to the cooling racks inside Feeling Smitten, it’s not surprising people mistake it for a bakery.
Through the windows, cupcake icing beckons, and the doughnuts and ice cream cones look real enough to eat.
“We’re out here to fool you,” said Katy Probst, a Smitten employee and childhood friend of company founder Courtney Stephens. But these goodies are meant to land in your bathtub, not your stomach.
Decor Trends Good for Fall and Beyond
Attending the New York International Gift Fair is a little like watching television with a teenager: Lots of eye-catching visuals whiz by as the channels keep changing.
The fair’s home decor section is vast. Contemporary design parks next to rustic found objects; swanky silk pillows festoon one booth while rag rugs fill another.
Among the many interesting decor themes that emerged at last month’s show, a few are likely to have staying power well through fall and winter into next spring and summer, with seasonal tweaks:
Skin Care from the Old Country with RenuDerma
Salisbury, NC – Using formulas created by her eastern European grandmother 70 years ago, Maia Janashia Smith has launched a line of skin-care products she says will help women look younger naturally.
“Here, ladies don’t pay attention to skin,” Smith said. “They wear $300 purses, but their skin looks like a dry prune.”
Called RenuDerma, the cleansers, moisturizers and scrubs are available online and downtown at Smith’s boutique, Maia’s Fashions, 103 S. Main St.
“Why I value them so much is they are simple recipes,” said Smith in her heavy accent.
PMI Introduces New Disney Series With a Precious Moments Touch
As a continuation of its successful Disney Showcase Collection, Precious Moments, Inc. introduces a new series of familiar Disney characters interpreted with a Precious Moments perspective. The extension was introduced at summer markets and will begin arriving at retailers in November.
In making the announcement, executive vice president Scott Bryson pointed to the significance of the new Disney series.
“The new addition to the Disney Showcase Collection provides us with an exciting series featuring one of the most highly recognized brands in the world,” said Scott Bryson.
Queen Anne Opens Treasure Store
Canon City, CO – Going to tea is a ball. Now it’s even better with a treasure shop to browse through.
Recently, the Cañon City Queen Anne Tea House opened an Antiques/Tea Treasure Store inside its doors at 813 Macon Ave.
“We’ve been working on this since mid year,” said Al Ballard, who co-owns the shop along with his wife, Linda. “Linda had a lot of treasures from her mother, aunt and my mother.”
Along the way, the couple decided to share them with others.
Young Entrepreneurs: Love of Chocolate Led to Own Business
Fort Myers, FL – Justin Schaffer launched his first business as a chocolatier when he was 13.
Growing up, his version of a lemonade stand was whipping up chocolate turtles, toffees and chocolate covered pretzels with his younger sister, Lauren, for friends and relatives.
“My mom used to do chocolate for family and friends,” said Schaffer, 24. “She was kind of the inspiration.”
Anne McGilvray & Co Hired to Rep Squishland in Six U.S. States
Veteran sales representative firm Anne McGilvray & Company is now representing SqwishLand in California, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas.
The soft ‘n squishy rubber SqwishLand collectibles have sold an incredible 100 million units in the past five years and were previously available only in vending machines. They can now be found in retail packs on store shelves nationwide.
Each soft’n squishy SqwishLand character comes with a unique code for online access to www.SqwishLand.com.
NYIGF Offers Exhibitors Exclusive “Market Readiness” Webinars
Beginning October 13, a monthly series of “Market Readiness” webinars — addressing marketing and selling strategies, tradeshow operations and lead follow-up — will be offered to exhibitors participating in the winter 2012 edition of the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®).
Kevin Malkiewicz Named Vice President of AmericasMart Area Rugs
Kevin Malkiewicz has been named vice president of AmericasMart area rug leasing and sales with full responsibility for all area rug category management, according to Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., president and chief operating officer of AmericasMart Atlanta and its AMC, Inc. parent entity.
The advancement comes following Malkiewicz’s most recent service as executive director of area rug leasing, tradeshows and buyer relations and continues a 12-year tenure dating to his 1999 appointment as area rug buyer relations manager.
Peking Handicraft Introduces a Variety of New Pillows by D.L. Rhein
Peking Handicraft, Inc., an international manufacturer and wholesaler of high quality home decor, tabletop and giftware items, recently introduced its latest offerings by D.L. Rhein.
Alice’s Flower Shop Merges With A Country Touch Gifts
Bethel, CT – Bethel residents Kathleen Menichelli and Kris Zajac feel flowers and gifts go well together. That’s the main reason why they have recently merged their businesses—Alice’s Flower Shop and A Country Touch Gifts—into one.
Alice’s Flower Shop & A Country Touch Gifts is now located on 30 Grassy Plain St. and owned by Menichelli. Zajac, who was owner of A Country Touch Gifts—formerly on 145 Greenwood Ave.—has closed this location and now works with Menichelli.
“We felt being at one location gives customers a one-stop-shopping experience.
Premier Opens New Pulp & Circumstance Store
Bermuda – Premier Paula Cox officially opened the new Pulp & Circumstance store in Washington Lane, praising owner Kristi Grayston for her significant contribution to Bermuda’s retail sector and the economy.
Ms Cox was on hand to cut the ribbon at yesterday’s unveiling of the 3,000-square foot retail space which consolidates the former Queen Street paper store and Front Street gift shop.
Among the guests at the grand opening were Paula Clarke, chairman of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce’s retail division, AS Cooper’s managing director Somers Cooper, and executive members