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Local flower shop owners fear lower sales this Valentine’s Day
Middletown — Poor weather and a Saturday holiday have local shops worried about slow sales this Valentine’s Day.
While a survey by the National Retail Federation finds that consumers plan to spend nearly $102 — 17 percent less than last year — on their sweetheart, local owners say their sales beg to differ.
“We work 36 hours straight usually,” said Roger W. Conner, owner of Flowers by Roger in Middletown. “We usually put about 1,000 orders in the day. Whether you are poor or rich, you are always in love and they always send roses.
Floral shop adds new dimension: Tuxedo rentals
When Don Howlett became the third owner of Kelly’s Flowers & Gifts he decided to keep the original name.
“The name came from Stuart and Marsha Kelly, who were the original owners,” Howlett said. “Don’s Floral didn’t sound good and we already had the name recognition.”
Ironically, even though he is the third owner of the business, Howlett has had it the longest. He will have been in business 11 years this April.
The florist, located at 1320 W. Factory Ave., is open Monday through Saturday.
Hand-Crafted Wines Make Splash
Lincolnton – If someone had told you five years ago that a successful hand-crafted winery was in downtown Lincolnton, most people would have looked at you as if you were from outer space. Today, there is a much different expectation in downtown Lincolnton. Ever since Southern Charm Winery opened their doors in May last year at 235-D East Main Street, the doors have hardly had a rest as people from all around flock to sample and buy wines of all kinds.
The retail store is a great place to purchase their wines and gift baskets.
Nonprofits Get “Stimulus Package” from San Francisco International Gift Fair®
San Francisco, CA — Like the song says, “you gotta’ have friends.” From February 7—10, two San Francisco nonprofits – the San Francisco Food Bank and Under One Roof have something to sing about as the annual San Francisco International Gift Fair® returns to the Moscone Convention Center with doors and arms open with its ongoing charitable partnership program. Fair attendees are asked to donate food items to the Food Bank via the bright green barrels inside the lobby of the Moscone Convention Center lobby and receive a $7 transportation rebate.
Illume Introduces Happiology
Minneapolis, Minn. – Illume is thrilled to introduce its much-anticipated natural body care and home fragrance line: Happiology. Friendly, vibrant and optimistic: that’s the philosophy of Happiology. Positive energy infused with the best natural and organic ingredients available.
Up With Paper Unveils Turning Points Greeting Cards
Mason, OH – Up With Paper, the world’s leading marketer of innovative three dimensional greeting cards, announced that it will launch an all new greeting card line, Turning Points, at the 2009 National Stationery Show in May. The new line, which will launch with a 28-card everyday offering, shipping in May, features elaborate designs that shift and change via pull-tabs, wheels, and other mechanisms.
Home Textiles Market Week Draws New Buyers to NYC
White Plains, NY – Retailers from New York and surrounding states made a strong showing at the New York Home Textiles Market Week, January 23-29, 2009, with strong order-writing which, for many exhibiting companies, made up for any fall-off due to the struggling economy. The semi-annual market for mid-to-high-end home textiles featured some 500 suppliers across three New York City locations – the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers, 230 Fifth Avenue, and 7 W New York.
Shine Home Announces World Market Center Las Vegas Debut and Launch of New Spring 2009 Collection
Shine Home, renowned designers of a vibrant and sophisticated home line announces the launch of their Spring 2009 Collection at the upcoming Las Vegas Market. Shine Home’s exhibit is located on the second floor of the World Market Center Las Vegas Building B in the Design & Living showcase, Booth B-251u.
Russ Ortiz, Shine Home’s CEO and principle commented, “we are very excited to be participating at Las Vegas Market.
Susan Branch And Thorndike Mills Introduce Home Sweet Home Collection
Martha’s Vineyard artist Susan Branch and Thorndike Mills have collaborated to design and produce a licensed line of home fashions for the Gift Industry. The newest items to bear the familiar style of the Susan Branch brand, will include wool hand hooked rugs, pillows and chair pads.
Susan Branch, is a self-taught artist and author of 14 hand-written, water-colored books, published since 1986, which all celebrate the art of the home; cooking, childcare, the four seasons, and all the little things in life.
In Litchfield, It’s Better to Share
The Renaissance center in the Tollgate Hill business district of Litchfield has had several incarnations over the years. Two of the five current businesses subscribing to a strength-in-numbers school of merchandising are Scarborough Faire Home Interiors, a home antiques and consignment gallery, and All About Accessories, a unique gift shop.
Jan Oelschlegel-Kissko, the owner of Scarborough Faire, and Cheryl Mendez, the owner of All About Accessories, both promise something different yet reasonably-priced for customers.
‘Sweet’ town banks on collaboration
Lititz is Lancaster County’s sweet spot.
Or at least that’s the pitch retailers in the small town – which is perpetually chocolate-scented thanks to the Wilbur Chocolate Factory – soon plan to make.
Merchants there have banded together to create a new branding and advertising campaign, one they hope will help attract people during the economic doldrums.
Take Me Home moving to new one
Palos Heights’ loss will be Palos Park’s gain after Take Me Home gifts and home interiors shop opens soon in the Mill Creek Shopping Center, 131st Street and La Grange Road.
“People are upset that I am leaving, but I want my customers to know I tried to stay in Palos Heights,” owner Jean Whitney said.
Take Me Home is now moving into its new home in the storefront formerly occupied by the Mole Hole, 9664 W. 131st St.
Whitney first opened Take Me Home almost four years ago next to Capri Ristorante Italiano on Harlem Avenue in Palos Heights.
New Resources Draw Retailers to Ex-Tracts
White Plains, NY – Despite challenging economic conditions, spa, salon and specialty retailers sought new resources at the winter edition of EX•TRACTS®, January 25-29 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Strong Activity at NYIGF Signals Renewed Optimism
White Plains, NY — “Quality over quantity” characterized the optimistic and healthy buying activity during the winter edition of the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) which took place January 25-29 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 90, 92 and 94.
Homer residents chocolate shop rolls out Valentine’s Day specials
According to Margaret Carlson, owner of Hollingsworth Candies in Lockport, chocolate candies are the right route to your loved one’s heart this Valentine’s Day.
“People love the smell of candy. When they walk in and smell that chocolate it just puts a smile on their face,” the Homer Glen resident said. “Who wouldn’t be happy buying chocolate?”
Carlson co-owns Hollingworth Candies with her mother, Margaret Carlson, The business has been selling its milk chocolate toffee covered in fresh pecans for nearly 30 years.
Former chef for the stars shares secrets
For some cooking aficionados, tuning in to Rachel Ray or Emeril LaGasse may be a great way to spice up a dulled recipe repertoire. But if the only cooking class you watch is on television, you’re missing out.
Local foodies jumped at the chance to attend a gourmet cooking class at Hendersonville’s Rabbit & Co.
Entrepreneurs Have High Hopes For Downtown Plant City
Plant City – From Wall Street to Main Street, the economy is reeling.
Yet as Circuit City and other mammoth retailers collapse and chains such as Bennigan’s shutter restaurants coast to coast, in historic downtown Plant City there is some evidence of economic optimism.
Along East Reynolds Street, eateries are grabbing up long-vacant spaces and a full-service Italian restaurant opened soon after another bailed out.
Optimism shared by newcomers to the downtown business scene is outweighed only by their enthusiasm.
“There’s magic in Plant City, and I wanted to be part of it,” s
The Nature’s Barn to have open house next week
In January of this year, owner Charlotte Leight moved her shop from the backyard garden of The Lantern Post to the storefront at 20 E. Columbus St., the former home of the herb shop.
Built between 1836 and 1838, the building still has the original flooring, exposed timber framing and lath. Between 1857 and 1863, the building was owned by and used as a meeting place for the Freemasons.
Group suggests business ideas for downtown area
Tuscumbia – A place to purchase sewing material.
Shopaholics will be shopaholics
The idea of a movie called “Confessions of a Shopaholic” arriving in multiplexes at a time when Americans are dramatically cutting back may sound like a recipe for an empty theater. But don’t tell that to the shopaholics who refuse to stop window shopping and bargain hunting, no matter how high the unemployment rate or how low their 401(k). They can still relate to a love of shopping, even in the bleakest of times.
“I know I shouldn’t be shopping,” said 27-year-old Bethany Smith as she strolled through the Shops at the Prudential Center last week, arms heavy with shopping bags.