Archives: News
FNW’s Annual Home Event
New York — With real estate and home matters in the forefront of everyone’s mind, Fashion News Workshop’s upcoming Annual Home Event will address some of these timely issues with an emphasis on looking to the future of interior style, real estate and cooking trends.
To be held in the ultramodern showroom of Sub-Zero/Wolf, known for its top-of-the-line kitchen appliances, the co-chairs of the event—Larry Rich, vice president and associate broker at Prudential Douglas Elliman, and Jerry Dellova, freelance design director—have organized a program that will include talks by a div
Didi Bahini Boutique Offers Fine Himalayan Artisan Gifts to Support Disadvantaged in Nepal
Ottawa, Canada – In order to give consumers a touch of exotic luxury from faraway Nepal and the chance to support disadvantaged women and children in that impoverished Asian country, Didi Bahini (www.didibahini.ca), a fair trade artisan’s online boutique was created. Canadian-based Didi Bahini offers retailers the opportunity to access unique items such as luxurious handmade Yak milk soaps, herbal tranquility amulet necklaces, aromatherapy herbal pillows, and Tibetan sacred mud rubs perfect for the ultimate home spa treatment.
From Wrapit anguish to bliss with gift shop
For Nicola Reading, setting up a franchise with an established national company such as Wrapit seemed to remove some of the risks associated with starting out in business.
“I did feel a lot more security starting a franchise, in that I had this huge company behind me and was part of a national network of franchisees. If ever I needed help or support, it was there, and during the time I was with Wrapit, everything was fine.
Don’t worry, buy happy: Cheerful stuff is selling well
The economy’s in the tank. Consumers have no spare cash. And the financial outlook is bleak.
Ace Named Official “Spokes-Buddy”
Deer Park, NY — The All Star Buddies already have a virtual playground for kids, but now parents and older “buddies” can enjoy the All Star Buddies too. Ace, the baseball buddy, was recently selected as the official “Spokes-Buddy” for the All Star Buddies and has a page on Facebook and MySpace.
AllStarBuddies.com is a safe, virtual “playground” for kids (ages 10 and under) where a healthy, positive lifestyle is reinforced through fun games, quests and social interaction.
Shops enrich Elmwood Village
For many people, there are few things in life more intimidating than feeling lost in a big box store or shopping. In search of a single item, consumers often wade through thousands of square feet and hundreds of shelves and products.
Skip the stress and shop local.
The Elmwood Village, located on Elmwood Avenue between North Street and Forest Avenue, is a shopper’s paradise.
Chesterfield business stays on top of novelty trends
Steve Barnett turns to Elissa Mast for her balloon expertise every year in the weeks before Valentine’s Day.
“Valentine’s Day is a huge balloon day for us,” said Barnett, president of Barnett’s Hallmark, which operates five area shops.
“There’s always a hot-button Valentine balloon that someone wants. Elissa is very well-informed of the trends.
Dogeared Jewels & Gifts: New Gifts for the Bride & Bridal Party
Los Angeles, CA — The wedding day! What better way to spread the love than with specialty jewels that enhance this glorious occasion? Dogeared Jewels & Gifts, a best-selling fashion brand known for their hip, good energy designs, has expanded their ever-popular line of jewels and gifts for brides and bridal parties.
Dogeared Jewels & Gifts offers a gorgeous array of necklaces, earrings, and bracelets that the bridal party will cherish, and that will serve as a heartfelt memento; a personal and unique way to thank the bridesmaids for being part of your dream day.
New Timeframe, Management Announced for Portland Gift and Accessories Show
White Plains, NY … Effective immediately, the summer edition of the semi-annual Portland Gift & Accessories Show will shift to a new fall timeframe, to run in conjunction with the annual Portland Cash & Carry Show. In 2009, the events – both owned by dmg world media – will be held October 9-11, at the Oregon Convention Center.
With this change, Western Exhibitors, Inc. will resume management responsibility for the fall edition of the Portland Gift & Accessories Show. The company owned the event until 2005, when the Show was purchased by dmg world media.
Pressman Toy Introduces Large Numbers and Kids Editions
New York, NY – Pressman Toy Corporation introduces new extensions to its Rummikub® line of games for 2009—a Large Numbers Edition perfect for quick game play with larger, easy to read numbers; and a preschool version called Rummikub Kids Edition that includes easy to identify shapes and colors. Rummikub®, everyone’s favorite fast-moving rummy tile game, the third most popular family game in the world, has brought family and friends together for some healthy competition for more than 50 years. Rummikub Large Numbers Edition is available now at specialty retailers nationwide.
Mud Pie Offers Brides-to-Be “Something Blue”
Tucker, Ga. — Mud Pie, an award-winning international gift company offering products reflecting current trends and popular design, has introduced Something Blue, a new wedding-themed collection perfect for celebrating the big day! Perfect for fulfilling the last line of the old saying: “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,” this collection boasts one-of-a-kind, trendy gift items for the bride and groom and bridal party.
Martin family plans a new venture
Middlebury, VT — The economy is in bad shape. The Martins have heard the news. In fact, they sound tired of hearing it.
“We’ve chosen not to operate out of fear of our economy,” Gloria Martin said last week.
“Rather, we’re moving ahead, and we’re going to be ready for the good times that are coming.” “We’re kind of tired of hearing about the ‘fear factor’ from everybody,” Larry Martin said. “Somebody has to operate out of the positive.”
That positive approach has led the Martins to a new business venture. Middlebury General Store is set to open in mid- to late April.
Pottery store owner holds breath, throws future to expansion
Donna Green started looking for a bigger place for her Southern Pottery business more than a year ago. A plot of land on Huger Street at $1 million was out of her price range. An old, neglected house downtown needed too much work.
But she finally found the perfect spot, a 2,070-square-foot house on Devine Street for $450,000 with large windows, a fireplace and an outbuilding.
Ingleside Village in Macon offers a variety of specialty stores
There is a place in Macon where you can find specialty stores that sell yarn, toys, lamps and guns in the same block.
Consumers still buying, just differently
Even given the nation’s recent economic downturn, customers are still going out and shopping. They’re just not going out as often, and they’re looking for bargains, store owners say.
“We have customers that come in all the time. They’re not going for the higher-priced stuff anymore,” Kelly Parker, the manager of Finish Line at Viewmont Mall said.
In the past, when the new Nike Shox came in, for example, they sold out at full price, he said. This year, after only two months on the shelves the prices were slashed from $109.99 to $79.99 on some pairs.
Ingenuity keeps Wareham retail shop on top
Wareham, MA — When a business experiences a certain degree of success, it would be easy to keep things “status quo” — especially in this troubled economy.
But the owners of Old Company Store aren’t about to abandon the ingenuity and creativity that has made their store a bit of an enchanted forest for weary shoppers for the past 15 years.
Shari Aussant, who opened the store 15 years ago and has run it with her sister, Cindi Assad von Kahle, and their mother, Sandra Assad, for most of that time, just reinvented the historic structure, which offers a combination of upscale and
NYIGF Offers New Series of Exhibitor Training Sessions
White Plains, NY — An exclusive new partnership between the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) and Right Angle Strategies will provide exhibitors with strategies to best prepare for the Fair, maximize on-site sales, and follow-up after market. Two exhibitor training webinars will be conducted before the Summer 2009 market, with onsite sessions including free one-to-one business consultations and one educational seminar.
“We want to give NYIGF exhibitors every opportunity for a successful market,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president.
American Craft Council Announces Changes: Charlotte and Sarasota Shows to Close
New York, NY – The American Craft Council today announced a programming change that will help the organization continue to best serve its mission, now and in the future. The Council is cancelling its shows in Charlotte, North Carolina and Sarasota, Florida. The change will allow the Council to focus on its four shows located in diverse geographic areas: Baltimore, Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; St.
Gratefulimages unveils new line, Clearlygrateful
Houston, TX — Gratefulimages® is launching a new inspirational stationery & gift line, Clearlygrateful™ this summer and will be showcasing it at the International Christian Retail Show in Denver, Colorado in July. Available to ship in May, Clearlygrateful includes boxed cards, bookmarks, and magnets featuring Gratefulimages artist, Emily Beynon’s watercolor crosses paired with scripture.
Celebrity Jewelry Designer Launches New Website and Charity Initiatives
Los Angeles, Calif. — Los Angeles based custom jewelry designer, Heather Hyde, is known for creating exquisite hand-made pieces for Hollywood’s A-list celebrities. Committed to using her visibility and artistic talent for charitable causes, Heather launched a new website, through which proceeds are donated to a variety of non-profit organizations.
“I’ll always be passionate about designing jewelry,” says Heather Hyde.
“It is a wonderful creative outlet for me and I love seeing one of my creations on the red carpet or in magazines.