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Toy shop aims to treat kids royally
It’s easy for parents to get carried away inside Castle Toys, where the aisles are brimming with outstanding toys that have earned top marks for being educational as well as fun.
The focus is on quality toys that educate and promote skills development and that are as durable as they are fun, the latter measured not only from a child’s point of view but that of parents, grandparents and caregivers too.
“We’re selling the toys that allow the parents and children to have fun together,” said Joanne Chute, who owns Castle Toys with her husband, Dick Chute.
The Chutes are former educa
Main streets eye chaos on Wall St.; businesses cautious, but optimistic
Tom Ashenbrener’s family business in Twin Falls has seen its share of ups and downs. When his father, Rudy, purchased Price Hardware at 147 Main Avenue West in 1946 it had already been a downtown staple for 42 years, survived the Great Depression and seen two owners, a name change and a move.
The business, founded by Roy Eager at a different location in 1904 and purchased by Coe Price in 1935, is the oldest continuously operating retail store in Twin Falls, and today is located in its oldest commercial building.
All I want for Christmas is . . . a gift card?
Luxury retailers will be singing the blues rather than Christmas carols if U.S. retail analysts’ predictions about holiday gift-giving come true.
According to a new report, the economic downturn is expected to trigger a swing toward such practical booty as gas cards, gift certificates for groceries, gift cards for quick-service restaurants and prepaid credit cards.
This would see consumers swapping shopping malls for drugstores, banks and food outlets.
NRF, Homeland Security, ICSC Create Emergency Response Guide for Retailers
(WASHINGTON) – As a part of its efforts to educate and protect retail customers, merchandise and employees, the National Retail Federation’s loss prevention team partnered with the International Council of Shopping Centers and the U.S.
Mt. Olive gift shop allows disabled to show abilities
Mount Olive, NJ — Finding a job can be difficult for anyone, but for Meghan Price, it seemed an impossible feat.
The Succasunna resident has Down syndrome, and despite her business ethic, willingness to learn and past work experience, she found herself with few options, said the 22-year-old’s mother, Debbie.
Then she found Presents of Mind, a gift store that provides employment and job training to people with disabilities.
“Before she graduated, her whole life was her school, her peers, her teachers,” Debbie Price said.
Winona businesses gear up for holiday season
Winona, MN — Tractors, board games, dolls and more stocked the shelves of Fleet Farm’s “Toyland,” which opened Saturday morning in preparation for the holiday shopping season.
While it might be early to be thinking of wreaths and Christmas trees — Halloween is still two weeks away, afterall — the holiday shopping section was packed with shoppers making early buys and browsing this year’s hot toy items.
Dwayne Tjerstad has worked at Fleet Farm for 10 years and says the holiday transition is the store’s biggest product shift of the year.
A spooky retail season
The Costume Closet, a Kapahulu-based costume rental and sales store, achieved record sales last year. “It was our best year ever,” said owner Yvette LaFontaine, who opened her year-round small business in 1991. “I even hired a full-time manager.”
Now, the lagging U.S. economy has cast a shadow over consumers, and LaFontaine is bracing for what potentially could be her most challenging year since opening her shop in 1991. While Christmas sales are the big determiner of year-end performance for most traditional retailers, mid-September to Nov.
Bonita Commons boutique offers gifts that range from $5 to $5,000
Glitter & Gifts, one of only a handful of stores in Bonita Commons, will open its doors Oct. 27.
Owned by George and Carol Litras and George and Michele Cudnik, the gift shop isn’t quite like others in the area.
“It’s evolved quite a bit from what we initially planned,” George Litras said Oct. 16.
Jellybean introduces new artist Laura Elgey
(ALPHARETTA, Ga.) — Jellybean is pleased to announce the introduction to the line of artist, Laura Elgey. In January 2009, Jellybean will offer four new designs by the whimsical artist.
Laura’s style is perfect for the colorful Jellybean line. Bright pastels and fanciful beach themed designs make Laura’s introductions sure bets in 2009.
Among the new designs being introduced in 2009 are Fannie and Friends, brightly colored fish, shells, and seahorse in an underwater scene, and Cruising, a vacation cruise ship set against a backdrop of tropical foliage.
Jellybean introduces new artist Sally Stetson
(ALPHARETTA, Ga.) — Jellybean is pleased to announce the introduction to the line of artist, Sally Stetson. In 2009, Jellybean will offer 12 new designs by the talented New England based artist.
Sally’s style is charmingly simple, incorporating vibrant colors into touching scenes that reflect American icons and traditions.
Jellybean introduces veteran pet product designer Paper Russells
(ALPHARETTA, Ga.) — Jellybean announces the introduction a complete line of accent rugs specifically designed to market to Pet Stores and related retailers. With this new market in mind, Jellybean has signed a contract with veteran pet product designer, Myunghye Kim of Paper Russells.
Jellybean will include six breed specific designs by this talented designer whose images can be found on products ranging from clothing to stationery.
“We are pleased to be able to add the Paper Russells designs to our product line.
Jellybean introduces designs for embroiderers in 2009
(ALPHARETTA, Ga.) — Jellybean is pleased to announce the introduction of 10 designs which have been artfully created for the Embroidery retailer. The Jellybean rug has been discovered by Embroidered product retailers across the country as a terrific product for their business. The Jellybean rug is thin and lightweight, making it easy to embroider in most commercial embroidery machines.
CIB announces Third Annual Collectors’ Choice Awards
(Grundy Center, IA) — The Collectors’ Information Bureau (CIB), a trade association comprised of top manufacturers in the field of collectibles and giftware, announces its third annual Collectors’ Choice Awards. Qualifying manufacturers are invited to submit their 2008 products for award consideration by November 30. The 2008 awards program will recognize the best and most coveted collectibles and related products across nine categories. New categories for 2008 include Holiday: 1. Halloween and 2.
Explore New Markets: Home/Gift and Area Rug together
(ATLANTA, Ga.) — Beginning January 2009, the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market and the Atlanta International Area Rug Market featuring the National Oriental Rug Show come together under one roof…at one time…for one unmatched home furnishings market experience.
Deb & Co. Gives Two Paws Up For Pets This Holiday Season
(BUENA VISTA, Va.) — Many memorialize the Christmas holidays annually by purchasing a keepsake ornament, like baby’s first Christmas or a couple’s first Christmas together, and now it’s time to share that tradition with our favorite furry friends!
Niermann’s Eleanor McKay to cover lighting issues at Las Vegas Design Center
(LAS VEGAS) – Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center will welcome Niermann Weeks CEO Eleanor McKay on Friday, November 7, 2008 for a presentation about today’s lighting industry.
McKay’s presentation, “Lighting Today: Lighting in the Post-Incandescent World,” will take place from 10 -11:30 a.m. during the monthly First Friday event.
The Buzz: Retailers hope season bright
In all of the dour retail and economic news, there are glimmers of cheer.
But you need to look for them.
As retailers prepare for the start of the Christmas shopping season, there are glass-half-full types charging ahead and hoping the season still will shine.
“Christmas is not canceled, knock on wood,” said Lori Dudley, co-owner of the Grand Chute gift shop Scatter Joy at 1869 N. Casaloma Drive. “We’re optimistic.
Union Hospital gift shop teams with toy business to benefit others
Terre Haute — The Union Hospital gift shop’s new partnership means that more than just the customer benefits from a purchase.
The shop kicked off its partnership with Wonfurwons, a stuffed toy business based in Fort Wayne that gives a smaller stuffed toy to hospitals and other not-for-profit organizations.
Wonfurwons are sold in the gift shop for $12.99 each.
Seda France Home Fragrances Expands Operations, Bucks Economic Downturn
(AUSTIN, TX) – Seda France Home Fragrances of Austin is expanding its operations with a 5% increase in workforce and the addition of 18,000 square feet of office, warehouse and production space to create and ship even more of their candles, diffusers and other fragrance products known for their lavish “no wrapping paper needed” gift packaging.
CEO and founder, Robert Hernandez, says, “We have been really fortunate to see continued growth and demand from both retailers and consumers – despite any economic naysaying – and that, of course, is fueling this expansion in our operations.
Two Leading Gift Companies Merge
(Bloomingdale, IL, Bainbridge, IN) — Roman, Inc. and Cottage Garden Collections, two award-winning, family-run gift companies well known in the industry for their inspiration and sentiment product lines, have announced a merger effective October 15, 2008.