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Chattanooga: Longtime gift shop on market
Signal Mountain, TN — It could be said that Connie Blunt became a business owner by accident.
The Signal Mountain resident started her gift shop 28 years ago by selling items she bought during overseas trips.
“It started just from traveling and seeing things and buying them,” she said, describing trips over the years to England, France and Mexico.
Within three years, Mrs. Blunt had opened a store, keeping the name Brow Gallery.
Island Cowgirl Jewelry Goes Green!
Huntington Beach, CA—Island Cowgirl jewelry designer, Heather Kraty, is doing her part for the environment by switching by creating all of this season’s collection from recycled silver. Heather has always taken pride in creating all of her jewelry in theUnited States, but has now become more eco-conscious as well. According to Heather, “I’ve always said that it’s important for everyone to make small changes to help the environment.
Online Registration Now Open for August 2009 NYIGF
White Plains, NY — Beginning today, retailers can register online for the summer edition of the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), which takes place Saturday, August 15, through Thursday, August 20, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers, in New York City. The Fair’s interactive website, NYIGF.com, provides participants access to sizeable hotel discounts and advance planning tools, including an online catalog gallery and directory search.
Local businesses strive to survive
Arlington, MA – Sales may be flagging at La Ladybug Boutique in Arlington center, but owner Kathleen Keady is trying to stay upbeat despite the deep economic recession. “Residents of Arlington are very conscientious,” says Keady, whose five-year-old gift shop is located at 3 Medford St. “The downside is that sales have declined. The upside is that people are making a point to support local businesses.
Lots of New Sassy Saks™ & Sassy Totes Hit Store Shelves
Keene, NH – Talk about fashion fun, Douglas Company is debuting ten new pet carrying Sassy Pet Saks™. This award-winning line-up will have “every girl” drooling with delight. For dress up or play, there is something ultra-chic for every personality with a stuffed toy that is removable.
Mermaid Sassy Tote: This mystical mermaid tote-style bag is beach chic and ocean ready for a stroll on the sand or a trip to anyplace exotic. It has a unique iridescent, almost tye-dyed looking fabric with a combination of petal pink and bright blue.
Miss Tami’s Tea Room and Cottage Expressions
On the girly scale of one to 10—one being a girl who loves football and owns a sports jersey, and 10 being one who has lace curtains and owns floral dresses—Miss Tami’s Tea Room and Cottage Expressions in Meridian is roughly a 13.
From the delicate flower-patterned tea cups that greet visitors in the gift shop entrance to the floral-and-lace decor filling every niche of the cozy dining area, this is no-man’s land.
Businesswoman’s new gift for crafty shoppers in Tadcaster
Defying the recession – that’s Debbie Tyrell, who has opened up a new gift shop in Tadcaster.
Debbie said Ivy Cottage gifts and interiors would be selling crafts and other items made by people within the region, including pottery, photographic prints, pegboards and knitted items.
She said it had opened up in premises formerly occupied by her nail and beauty salon, The Works, which had now moved into the premises next door following a refurbishment by her husband’s firm TID Services.
She said she had opened the salon three years ago in the property in Wharfe Bank Terr
Helen Brett Enterprises’ Mid-south Jewelry and Accessories Fair in Memphis Celebrates 19th Year
Memphis, TN − The Memphis Mid-South Jewelry & Accessories Fair celebrates its 19th anniversary show at the Memphis Cook Convention Center April 25-27, 2009 while its promoter, Helen Brett Enterprises marks its 35th year of hosting one of the oldest and largest trade shows in downtown Memphis.
More than 300 wholesale exhibitors from around the country will display their latest market trends of jewelry, apparel, perfumes, artwork, home décor items and gifts at the upcoming three-day industry trade show in Memphis.
Americasmart Apparel Advances Under New Leadership
Atlanta, GA—The AmericasMart Apparel franchise grows into a new era of fashion innovation and style with the appointment of Lori Kisner as Senior Vice President in charge of all apparel leasing and trade show sales for all women’s, men’s, children’s, bridal and accessories lines, according to Jeffrey L.
Death and Décor Topic of New Mystery Novel at Las Vegas Design Center ‘First Friday’ Event
Las Vegas, NV—Was it Col. Mustard in the freshly painted library with a putty knife? Or perhaps Miss Scarlet in the porte cochere with the tape measure? Anything can happen when the world of design meets law then collides with a “whodunit.” And that’s just what author Franklin Levy will deliver when he speaks about his new book, “Die Decorator Die” at Las Vegas Design Center’s First Friday event Friday, April 3, 2009, in C-184 at World Market Center Las Vegas.
Gift shop proprietor offers the personal touch
An entrepreneur who has just launched a gift shop in Bournville is hoping to beat the recession by selling products with a personal touch.
Helen Dean, owner of ‘Gifted’ in Bournville Lane, said living in France for several years had influenced her approach to running the store which provides a bespoke gift-wrapping service alongside a selection of hand-crafted cards, bringing continental customs to the streets of Birmingham in the process.
“I thought the gift-wrapping idea was a very French thing which I could use as part of a personalised service for my customers,” she
Airport store, eatery need permanent owners
The naming of permanent proprietors at the restaurant and gift shop at Abilene Regional Airport is up in the air, but airport officials hope to make selections in the coming months for both establishments.
Rose to the Occasion Catering has been operating the airport restaurant for the past three weeks and has an agreement with the city to run the establishment until April 30 or until another proprietor is selected by the city.
“If we have not made a selection by then or if a newly selected operator needs more time to get started, we could extend the agreement with Rose to the Oc
Shoppers still recognise the importance of reducing carbon emissions in spite of recession
Businesses that assume the deepening recession has dampened consumers’ desire to go green should think again.
Zak Strengthens Environmental Commitment With New Packaging
Spokane, WA – This year, one of the most recognized symbols of licensed children’s dinnerware is getting a facelift. As part of its commitment to be an environmentally responsible company, Zak Designs has introduced new packaging for its 3pc. Mealtime Set – one of the company’s most popular products globally.
Instead of the window-box package that many consumers recognize, Zak has developed an open box concept for the new packaging. This change allows the updated package to be 100% PVC free.
Salon owner finds success in hair care, gift shop
Thirty-two years ago this April, a single mother left her job at Cross Keys Salon on Brook Street to open her own salon.
Now, in her third location, Shirley Shaw owns and operates Hair A Fair on 300 South Avenue D in Burkburnett with two other stylists and an office manager.
In addition to her full-service salon that has employed up to 12 stylists, she runs a successful gift shop in the salon that specializes in Polish pottery.
Shaw said she loves cutting hair and getting to know the people that come into her shop.
Artists have luck o’ the Irish
Two local artists have spun lifelong passions into successful business enterprises and, this St. Patrick’s Day, both have special reason to praise the luck of the Irish.
When Susan Hettrich-Makoczy gave up her career as a legal secretary years ago to raise her daughters, she never dreamt the crafting hobby she was so passionate about would one day be considered art, let alone a livelihood.
“My kids kept saying, ‘Mom, you’ve got to do something with this,’ ” she said.
World Market Center Las Vegas Announces Plans For June 2010 “Gift + Home” Market
Las Vegas — World Market Center Las Vegas recently announced plans to launch its first ancillary market – “Gift + Home” – June 13 to 16, 2010. This new event marks the home furnishings campus’ first stand-alone show outside of the bi-annual Las Vegas Market. According to Philip McKay, World Market Center Las Vegas’ Senior Vice President, 74 percent of current Las Vegas Market attendees already purchase gifts and decorative accessories and market officials believe there is continued growth ahead.
Boutique owner combines keen business sense, friendly manner
Susan Lanier, the owner of Susan’s, 457 Highland Ave. in Surrey Center, goes above and beyond to give her customers a dose of Southern hospitality.
Employee Sherry Sims has worked at Susan’s for 15 years and was a customer first.
Gourmet Housewares Online Catalog Gallery Goes Live
White Plains, NY—The Gourmet Housewares Show®, premier marketplace for upscale housewares and culinary products, is pleased to announce the activation of the Online Catalog Gallery – a visual product finder – with 10 catalogs already posted and some 50 more anticipated.
Pacific Grove frame shop thrives amid declining economy
Saturday marked the one-year anniversary of a particularly significant moment for Glenn Gobel. On March 14, 2008, Gobel made a transformation from longtime employee to a small-business owner as he opened Glenn Gobel Custom Frames in Pacific Grove.
That his picture framing shop has made it to the one-year mark in an economic downturn is significant. What is more striking is that Gobel is not only surviving, but thriving at a time that business closures and consumer reluctance are commonplace.
Evidence of tough time is all around his downtown shop.