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Sales tax increase supporters see budget salve
To some Cape Cod business owners, a proposal to increase the state sales tax is a simple matter of dollars and sense.
The 1.25-percent sales tax hike, proposed this week on Beacon Hill, isn’t likely to cost local businesses either in customers or income should it become law, several business owners said this week.
Buffalo’s Mom and Pop Shops Skirt Sour Economy
Buffalo, NY — The Elmwood Village Association is tackling the economic downturn with a promotion to boost sales during two peak shopping times – Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day weeks. But promoters say business for Buffalo’s Mom and Pop shops actually is doing pretty good already.
“Love Your Mom and Pop.” The promotion name has a nice friendly, home town ring to it. Justin Azzarella is executive director of the Association. He said they hatched the marketing scheme, which is a partnership with Buffalo First, during one of their regular meetings.
NC children’s clothing shop owners adjust strategy
Wilmington, NC — Despite the downturn, the lost jobs and the general doldrums about the economy nationally, Heily Hakan’s Castle Hayne business in boutique children’s clothing is growing.
Illia Designs nearly doubled its orders for handmade swing tops, capri pants and ruffle bloomers between January and February this year.
Zamsoe Promotes Female Empowerment and Opportunities through Greeting Cards, Art and Jewelry business
Yarm, Cleveland – Zamsoe has embraced the concept of female empowerment by employing more home workers to meet the demands of its successful greeting cards, art and jewellery business.
“We are offering home workers (the majority who are women) the opportunity to work with us producing high quality hand made products. Many women are often feeling ‘trapped’ at home due to many circumstances such as child care or family commitment and are missing the opportunity and freedom to ‘contribute’ to something other than what they are currently doing.
Kathy Davis Studios Adds New Licensing Expert
Ambler, PA – Kathy Davis Studios, Inc., one of the nation’s leading design companies of greeting card, gift and lifestyle products, announced today the appointment of Vice President Melissa Schulz.
Consumer confidence soars in April
New York—Hopeful signs that the worst may be over for the economy boosted Americans’ moods in April, sending a closely watched barometer of sentiment to the highest level since November.
The New York-based Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index rose more than 12 points to 39.2, up from a revised 26.9 in March.
Gift shop opening in Ransomville this weekend
Ransomville — A unique gift shop is coming to Ransomville this weekend.
Local Faire will hold a grand opening at 2568 Youngstown Lockport Road, Ransomville, this Friday. The shop will feature works by local craftspeople for sale, as well as a limited amount of scrapbooking and paper supplies.
Local Faire also will have a project room open to the public for scrapbooking for a small fee during shop hours. The $5 fee to use the room will include the use of various tools, rubber stamps and materials.
The shop hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; noon to 7 p.m.
Minneapolis MART Summer Season
As buyers walk into the Minneapolis Mart, they are greeted with a newly remodeled lobby and showroom halls. With a major renovation completed, this Mart continues to be a dynamic destination for Midwest buyers. The first half of 2009 was actually stronger than expected as our regional buyers chose to visit the Minneapolis Mart instead of the national markets. Buyers are rediscovering that local reps and showrooms offer the greatest value and service before and after the show.
Local to open art studio
Verna Bates is just days away from opening her working art studio in Locust Grove. As the day gets closer, Bates admits she’s very nervous about her big opening.
“Introducing it (art) in your own place … it’s like the first day of school all over again,” Bates said. “It’s like wearing your feelings on your sleeve.”
Her studio, Gourds Etc., Native American Fine Art Studio and Gift Shop, will open May 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and May 3 from noon to 5 p.m. The studio is located at 9002 S. 439.2, in Locust Grove, on a 60 acre farm owned by Bates and husband Fred.
Small Gustine shop selling olive oil from its orchard
Gustine — When Anne and Paul Piccirillo moved to Gustine from the Bay Area, it wasn’t for jobs or the country life — it was for olives.
Hobby growers for years, the couple wanted some land of their own so they could grow olives and make olive oil. So they bought six acres just out of Gustine and put in four varieties of olive trees.
Now, almost 10 years later, their backyard orchard is thick with green olive trees that stand 10 feet above the ground.
Last year they produced more than 13 tons of olives.
Morris County program helping disabled keep jobs
Susan Clavadetscher got a few jobs after high school in Chester Township, but when employers started cutting her hours, her concerns about having Down syndrome grew.
Refusing to face rejection, she joined a nonprofit organization based in Princeton called Community Options Inc., which offers people with developmental disabilities opportunities to learn job skills, gain work experience and, eventually, earn a living.
In June, Clavadetscher, now 24, was hired as a cashier at Presents of Mind gift shop in Mount Olive.
”They make me happy,” she said of the staff of the natio
Selling Ohio State stuff turned out to be one great business idea for Conrads
Life is full of ironies, but this may be one of the biggest: Jack Cohen, the founder of Conrads College Gifts, has never sat through an entire Ohio State football game.
“I’d go over while people were waiting to get in, but I’ve never stayed for a game,” Cohen said recently. “I have to rush back to the store.
Minn. girl recycles glass into birdfeeders
“Helping nature one glass at a time” is the motto of a fifth grader in southern Minnesota. She seems to have stumbled on a great way to help protect the environment and make money.
It all began when 11-year-old Kennedi Kokesch and her mother Nancy were browsing through a thrift shop and learned unsold glassware was routinely thrown out.
Smithfield’s downtown is target of county study
Smithfield – The welcoming aroma of fresh-baked cookies no longer wafts across Main Street every day.
Miss Bessie’s Best Cookies & Candies made her sweet departure from downtown Smithfield’s historic district early this year. Several “For Rent” signs have popped up in vacant storefront windows along parts of Main Street, all evidence that tiny downtown Smithfield is not immune to the recession that is sweeping the country.
“We’re doing better than a lot of downtowns,” said Judy Winslow, tourism director for Isle of Wight County.
Happiness is Hip: A Movement to Scatter Joy
Ambler, Pa. – Kathy Davis, a celebrated artist, greeting card designer, entrepreneur and chief executive and visionary officer of the lifestyle brand that bears her name, has made two simple words – Scatter Joy – her personal philosophy and brand promise.
Local artists featured in open house meet-and-greet
Carver, MA – After a long period of political campaigns coupled with crazy New England weather, it’s time to put politics aside, shed your tendencies towards hibernation and get out and about in the neighborhood. And what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than to celebrate the local flavor? Join the staff of Gifts at Crane Brook for an artists’ open house, where you can meet several of the area’s finest artists, photographers and authors. Gift Shop Manager Denise Cunningham said she works hard to find unique treasures that are made locally to sell in her shop.
New Farmhouse All Purpose Surface Cleanser By Sweet Grass Farm
Sweet Grass Farm the New Hampshire manufacturer of natural hand cut soaps, herbal products and the ever-popular Farmhouse Homecare collection is proud to introduce the NEW Farmhouse All Purpose Surface Cleanser. Based on the natural cleaning properties of pure essential oils, Farmhouse will make housekeeping a little easier and sweeter.
The Farmhouse All Purpose Surface Cleanser ($6.95- 26.5oz) is a non-toxic, plant based, natural spray cleanser that is perfect for walls, woodwork, windows, tile, laminate, porcelain, fixtures, sealed wood floors and sealed stone.
Brian Yanish Designs to Launch New Scrap Kins Content at Licensing International 2009
New York, NY – Brian Yanish announced today that his namesake company, Brian Yanish Designs, will roll out expanded content and artwork for its character property The Scrap Kins at Licensing International 2009. Since launching in 2006, the licensing program continues to grow and Licensing 2009 will showcase the expanded series of Recycled Arts & Crafts, educational content and artwork catalog including the brand new Baby Scrap Kins collection. The Scrap Kins will also feature fashion tees as part of the Licensing Expo Fashion Runway.
New quilting shop opens just off Square
After working from her house doing custom quilting and sewing for customers, Chanelle Bonham thought it was time to open her own store.
When she noticed that Kitchen Thyme, a kitchen supply store, was vacating the premises at 10 W. Kansas St., she quickly inquired about the space.
Iota’s New Kitchen Collection, Eco-Friendly Tote Bags and Boxed Notecards Reveal Some Sizzle for Summer
Basalt, Colo. — Iota, a division of C.R. Gibson, introduces the new Joan’s Geraniums kitchen collection with coordinating organizational items, new iotaTOTE® carrying bags made from sustainable fibers, and two new thank you boxed note sets. Iota’s product introductions for summer offer fresh, bold stationery and gifting essentials in tune with current market trends. In today’s economic environment, retailers are challenged to offer consumers products that focus on home life, connecting with one another and making environmentally friendly choices.