Archives: News
Business is just ducky
Englewood, CO – A formula for relaxation was what Jennifer Brown and Steve Kudron were searching for when they decided to open a business. They originally saw that formula in the form of a bath soap and loofah sponge.
The products brought them a little success, but saw growth when they added a rubber duck to the package.
“What’s the next best thing that you put with soap? Well, a rubber duck was the natural addition,” Brown said.
Soon they started to find out the addition was the main attraction.
For Sacramento-area gift shop owners, it’s a tougher sell
Amid an entrenched recession and coming off one of the worst holiday shopping seasons in years, local gift shop operators say the nature of their business is shifting.
“The whole game has changed,” said Bobbi Gould, owner of Collected Works at 4524 Freeport Blvd. in Sacramento. “Not only for us, but for our customers and vendors.”
Gould said signs of tough times are everywhere.
Customers are more discriminating and cost-conscious.
Teatime in Ridgeway
Ridgeway, SC — They come to Laura’s Tea Room to be pampered, to choose their own dainty cups and saucers and take in the rituals of a traditional tearoom.
They come in pairs or in groups of four or five or six — typically women, although the occasional man ventures in.
They come to learn about tea, to enjoy a light lunch and to wear a hat (even if they swear they aren’t hat people.)
They come for the experience.
It starts as they walk in the door of The Thomas Co. in downtown Ridgeway.
Never the Rock Photography Introduces Three New Card Designs to Their Collection
Never the Rock Photography joyfully introduces three (3) new card designs to their collection of blank note cards and sets.
Kinky-Curly, New Organic Curl Care
Introducing Kinky-Curly haircare, a new ORGANIC curl care line with the goal of helping women and children recognize the beauty of their natural kinky, curly, and wavy hair. Stop battling with curls and instead embrace all the freedom that comes with it.
The Girl Behind the Curl…
Vermont Soap Organics Launches Pure African Shea Nut Butter
Middlebury, Vermont – Organic soap pioneer Larry Plesent was volunteering in Ghana teaching sustainable agribusiness skills to rural villagers when he discovered a remarkable handcrafted shea nut butter – the best that he had ever felt on his skin. Now, his company, Vermont Soap Organics, is partnering with tribal craftswomen to bring this moisturizing and healing natural balm directly to consumers in North America. Offered in a handy 2 oz. tin for $9.99 and in an economy-sized 64 oz.
Recordable Greeting Card Would Enable User to Send Customized Message
Pittsburgh, PA—InventHelp®, America’s leading inventor service company, announces that one of its clients, an inventor from Orland Park, Ill., has designed a recordable card that could allow an individual to send any type of message to another person. This invention is patented.
The “Recordable Greeting Card” would allow an individual to say exactly what he or she desires with a greeting card. It could eliminate the need to search for just the right card, and could serve as a unique conversation piece.
‘Design Salon’ at Las Vegas Design Center Helps Design-Seeking Consumers Discover the Value of Exceptional Design
Las Vegas, NV—There’s a new way for consumers to discover the value of exceptional design, thanks to the Design Salon opening soon at Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center Las Vegas.
Opening March 25 to the public, the Las Vegas Design Center—located within World Market Center Las Vegas and featuring over 50 showrooms—the Design Salon will offer complimentary consultations by professionals and allow the general public unprecedented access to Las Vegas Design Center’s home furnishings showrooms.
About Town: Special moment in time for local antique shop
The array of colorfully patterned, quilted Vera Bradley handbags on the shelves at Heritage House Antiques and Gardens in Port Royal will get the star treatment this morning — along with store owner Marilyn Cooler and manager Carol Hunter.
Cooler, Hunter and their handbags, garment bags and wallets have an 8:30 a.m. call time for a Vera Bradley photo shoot that will take place at Heritage House, which moved in 2004 from downtown Beaufort to its spot on Paris Avenue.
The photos will be used in Vera Bradley’s national Fall 2009 catalog, print ads, retail signs and Web site.
Retailers’ loss of revenue hammers city and state budgets
In the world of shopping centers, strip malls and the cities that house them, a closed Ann Taylor here or an out-of-business Circuit City there might not matter much.
But the timing and immensity of the current downturn in retail are dire, and not just for the employees who lose jobs, the company shareholders and the shoppers who no longer can buy from their favorite stores.
Hats off to wig seller with empathetic ears
Jan Beeson started her uncommon retail business a year ago with three strikes against her.
First there was the economy, which was headed for free-fall as a result of an impressive display of greed in the financial markets.
Then there was her search for affordable accommodations, which led to the lower level of a building amid a bewildering array of identical-looking buildings in a Burnsville office park, where consumer traffic is nil.
Finally, there’s the nature of her business, dubbed Lily Wellness Inc., a one-stop shop for the wigs, caps and other items used by cancer pa
Gourmet Catalog Collaborates with 2009 Gourmet Housewares Show
White Plains, NY—The Gourmet Housewares Show® announces their collaboration with The Gourmet Catalog to produce a full day of programming exclusively for the 200 + Gourmet Catalog members in conjunction with the upcoming Show in San Francisco.
Premium Brands, New, Emerging Designers All Under One Roof: Atlanta Apparel
Atlanta, GA —The largest collection of the best apparel and accessory lines unite under one roof for one dynamic buying experience at the March 28-30, 2009 Atlanta Apparel Market. In addition, the Market’s 550 permanent showrooms will open Friday, March 27, for First-View Friday to give retailers a jump on buying. First-View Friday officially launched during the January 2009 Market and will continue this Market and beyond.
All Baby & Child, Inc: Building on Our Success
San Antonio, TX—As a direct result of significant increases in show attendance, number of exhibitors and show square footage since the inception of ABC Kids Expo, the organization has had the honor of receiving many awards and nominations from the trade show industry. All Baby & Child, Inc. continues to build on its success in becoming the number one juvenile products trade show in North America.
Gift & Home Trade Association Signs Petition with 60+ Trade Organizations
Grand Rapids, Mich. – The GHTA, along with more than 60 other trade organizations and associations, signed a petition, which was drafted by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). The petition was then sent to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, to request that the Commission order an immediately effective emergency stay of the effective date of limits on lead content in accessible parts and components in children’s products established under Section 101 (a)(2) of the consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (“CPSIA”) (Pub.L. 110-314).
Edited chic: Living with fewer things, greater style
Laguna Beach, Calif.—For Trey Russell, “less is more” is not just a Modernist creed but a way of life. In his boutique, Aris, and his second-story garden apartment behind the shop, there is a pared-down yet luxurious aesthetic on display.
Art books in home and store sit in low, color-coordinated stacks. A row of dark wood boxes in graduated sizes—think Russian nesting dolls—hides the clutter of DVDs, playing cards and remote controls.
Spring Designs from Alexa’s Angels Ready to Hop into Your Easter Basket
(Windsor, CO) – The Easter Season is around the corner and Alexa’s Angels, a leading inspirational gift jewelry manufacturer dedicated to providing high quality, original designs, has fresh designs for children and young adults that are perfect either as a stylish Easter Basket center piece or as a special First Communion gift.
Shops with heart cater to keeping consciences clear
Because it’s Valentine’s Day, Store Gazing decided to go to the heart of the matter: Bravery Hearts and Heart On Your Sleeve, two shops that are destination points.
Bravery Hearts, at 242 Brooke Ave. between Lawrence Ave. and the 401, is quite a schlep (for car-less Store Gazing). Heart On Your Sleeve is tucked away on the fringe of Kensington Market at 61A Belleville Ave. at Nassau.
Bravery Hearts is heartwarming.
Lumberton shop offers a personal touch
I love this.
Somebody on my beat — yes, the shopping beat — actually has hired additional employees over the past two months.
In Lumberton.
Rock on.
That would be Jennifer Hickman, an owner of Girlees and Brothers Too, which recently has gone from about seven employees to 10 as Hickman and crew gear up to expand into the wholesale business.
You may know Girlees from the whimsical, funky retail shop in downtown Lumberton.
Cupids keep on shopping
Love has no awareness of a recession, at least when it comes to Valentine’s Day.
According to local business owners, local Cupids this year have been spending as much, if not more in some cases, as they did in 2008.
Wright Drugs and Gift Shop manager Debbie Burch said has business has been good for Valentine’s Day. A big seller has been gift baskets, especially those for kids.
“We’ve been selling lots of kids baskets for their parents to take to them at school,” Burch said yesterday.