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INDUSTRY NEWS | May 27, 2009

Kerusso Unveils Important Research on Faith-Sharing Success of Christian-Message T-Shirts

Berryville, Ark. – Vic Kennett, president and chief executive officer of Kerusso, the premier producer of Christian-themed clothing in the U.S., announced findings from the 2009 “Christian Apparel Faith & Motivational Research Report” revealing why many Christians wear faith-based T-shirts. The research showed 98 percent of survey respondents declared they desired the message on their Christian T-shirts to be noticed by unbelievers. 56.8 percent of Christians wearing faith-apparel actually had an unbeliever ask about the message on their garment.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 26, 2009

More than greeting cards at Leanin’ Tree

Want to spend an enjoyable afternoon browsing great western history and art? The Leanin’ Tree Museum of Western Art in Boulder, CO exhibits over 300 original paintings and bronze sculptures from the private collection of Edward P. Trumble, chairman and founder of Leanin’ Tree. And it is free!

Leanin’ Tree was started in 1949 with 4 greeting cards which have grown to over 3000 greeting cards along with many thoughtful, cute and humorous gift ideas available in their gift shop.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 26, 2009

A day of solemnity… a weekend of spending

Tourism officials said this Memorial Day weekend was brighter than expected, and not just because of the sunny weather.

The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau predicted a 2 percent increase in out-of-town visitors and hotel bookings in the Boston area, but the number was closer to 6 percent, with 1.3 million more people visiting the Boston area than last year.

Patrick Moscaritolo, chief executive officer of the bureau, said the increase, calculated using preliminary hotel booking information and data from AAA, was probably because of greater numbers of people driving from

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 25, 2009

Some Lower Cape businesses devising own ‘stimulus’ deals

Cape Cod – When the stock market began its sharp, quick descent and people watched their dollars disappear due to derivatives; the oft-repeated refrain was everyone was taking a hit.

“From Wall Street to Main Street,” parroted business owner Ceci Hadawar.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 24, 2009

Locally Owned: Christian book, gift store enjoys growth

Lighthouse Books & Gifts in Wisconsin Rapids has done something a lot of stores of its genre haven’t been able to do: Stay in business.

For the last 19 years, the store, which carries Christian books, gifts and stamping and scrapbooking supplies, has not only managed to stay afloat in the recently struggling economy, but expand.

The business started in the ShopKo Mall, and moved to its Eighth Street South location about 31/2 years ago.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 23, 2009

Palmetto Moon opens Summerville location

Palmetto Moon has opened a fourth location in the Charleston area.

The specialty gift retailer started earlier this month in a 3,600-square-foot site formerly occupied by S&K Menswear in Azalea Square Shopping Center in Summerville.

Founded in 2002 by Karen and Robert Webster, Palmetto Moon started as a small kiosk in Citadel Mall, offering South Carolina collegiate merchandise and gift items featuring the South Carolina state symbol — palmetto tree and crescent.

It quickly expanded to traditional store sites in Citadel Mall, Northwoods Mall and Mount Pleasant Towne Centr

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 22, 2009

High Country Art Gallery, Gift Shop now open

High Country Art Gallery and Gift Shop is now open for business. With a start date of May 19, Northeastern Arizona Fine Arts Association members began filling up the summer gallery with new works of art. The combination of summer members and year round members gives the gallery a wonderful balance of art.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 22, 2009

Boutique owner is wearing and making a number of hats

Busy Broad Boutique is located at 10433 Clifton Blvd. in Cleveland. Its mantra is “For Women Who Wear Many Hats,” and how fitting, because owner Marta Glazen does indeed wear many hats, given her skill as a milliner.

Her hats are intricately made, and it gives her great pride to offer them reasonably priced. The hats offered under the Busy Broad label start at $35 and go up to $120. Her couture lines of handmade hats begin at $120 and go up, depending on the material used.

Glazen opened her first millinery shop in downtown Cleveland in 1996.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 22, 2009

TGR Survey Takes Retail Pulse, Finds Specialty Alive and Well

The results of The Gourmet Retailer’s latest Economic Pulse Survey are in, and we’ve got the highlights right here. Our mission was to bring you a snapshot of the current state of business among specialty food retailers. We surveyed retailers during the first week of May and had a total of 148 retailer respondents. Of those respondents, the vast majority — 92 percent — operate one to two stores. Another 5 percent operate between three and eight stores, and 3 percent operate more than eight stores.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 22, 2009

The Chicago Market: Living and Giving Partners with Google.com to Help Retailers Take Their Businesses to the Next Level

Chicago, IL –The Chicago Market: Living and Giving® is proud to announce that Google.com will lead the keynote presentation at this year’s July Market, on Monday July 20. Google offers retailers online tools, many of them free, to help their businesses reach new levels.

The purpose of this event is to help retailers utilize Google tools, as well as the Internet to help target specific customers and reach new audiences. Google has a variety of tools to help users grow their own businesses.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 22, 2009

NYIGF’s At Home Refines Hard Lines and Soft Goods Offerings

White Plains, NY — A comprehensive and updated collection of home products will be offered in At Home at the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), August 15-20, 2009, with a coalescence of hard lines at Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94 and soft goods on Level 1 of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

“At Home’s two locations – Pier 94 and the Javits Center – each have been refined to facilitate the sourcing experience for buyers shopping specific home product categories,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 21, 2009

New gift store ‘Arm’ed with ‘unique’ gifts

Downtown New Braunfels has a new kid on the block.

The Flying Armadillo is “a new, unique gift shop with an old world commitment to excellence,” owner Phillip Lovin said recently.

“The most unique thing about The Flying Armadillo is that everything is handmade and absolutely nothing is imported,” said Lovin, who also is a full-time counselor.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 21, 2009

Longaberger partners with Yankee Candle Co.

Newark — The Longaberger Co. announced Tuesday that Yankee Candle Co. Inc.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 21, 2009

Get Lucky owners optimistic about move

A change of scenery has been good for Get Lucky.

The Hattiesburg women’s clothing boutique recently opened the doors of a new location at the Market at Woodstone, a couple of miles from the store’s previous location in the Turtle Creek Village.

“The move’s really been great for us,” said Melinda Gholson, who co-owns the boutique with sister Rachel Murphy. “At the other location, people knew we were there and would make a special trip out just for us.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 20, 2009

Garden, gift shop has classic charm

The first impression starts outside the front doors of Mrs. McGregor’s Garden, as colorful spring flowers give shoppers a hint of what’s to come inside the store with a vintage-inspired charm.

“We like to wow you starting at the door,” Paulette Pennison, owner of Mrs. McGregor’s Garden, said. “A true passion for details is evident in the intricate vignettes throughout the store.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 20, 2009

Shoppers spending $20 on the 20th

Shopper Brenda Worsham gladly slapped a yellow sticker on her shirt Wednesday, showing that she spent $20 on the 20th.

Well, she spent a little more than $20.

“I helped the economy,” she laughed as Malissa Beckner at Tea Garden Gifts wrapped up the gift Worsham bought. “I ate at Malia’s then went to Unique Expressions. I’m afraid I spent more than $20.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 20, 2009

Clothes, toys, gifts for everyone

There’s a new store in town, and this one for a smaller set. The owner of Scarpe, the upscale women’s clothing store located on the corner of Willow and Pacific, has opened Next Door, a store that sells baby supplies, among other things.

Jenny DiFiore, the owner of both stores and a mother of 8 month-old Will, says she initially opened the store with a focus on baby items.

“Initially it was really easy for me to order baby stuff because I just had a baby so I knew the best of everything.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 20, 2009

National Stationery Show Names 2009 Best New Product Award Winners

New York, NY — Seven National Stationery Show® (NSS) exhibitors were honored with Best New Product Awards on Opening Day, Sunday, May 17, 2009, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The coveted Awards are presented in seven categories and are considered a distinguished honor within the social stationery industry.

Winners of the 13th annual Best New Product Awards are:

Desk Accessories
Woodessen, Inc. (Fullerton, CA), for Stylton Pen Holder & Memo Holder Set, made of solid wood inlaid with Italian Rainbow Wood, packaged in a handcrafted gift box.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 20, 2009

Creative Bath Set to Move to Larger 7 W New York Showroom

New York – Just one year after moving to a large showroom on 7 W New York’s 4th Floor, Creative Bath Products, Inc. has signed a 10-year lease for an even more expansive elevator front suite on the building’s 10th floor.

INDUSTRY NEWS | May 19, 2009

Starting to turn the corner: Boro’s small biz owners say customers are coming back

There really is light at the end of the tunnel for some struggling Brooklyn merchants.

Drawing shoppers with big discounts and new strategies, storeowners from Flatbush to Park Slope and down to Sunset Park said business is starting to pick up, ever-so-slowly.

Other merchants said that while they were still hurting, merely hanging on was reason to celebrate.

“After a disappointing holiday season, things have flattened out, which is actually encouraging, because it means the slide has stopped,” said Jose Alvarez, owner of the Park Slope shoe store, Good Footing Adventure.

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