Archives: News
Top It Off Expands Its Line of Distinctive Footwear
(Boston, MA) – Top It Off announced today that it will include three new styles of flip flops in its spring 2009 product line.
The wedge sole, first introduced in spring 2007, is back by popular demand and available in 10 ribbon styles. New to the line is the flat sole option, which features a 1-inch strap and a $20 price point.
“Our customers were asking for $20 retail flip flops, and through working with our new manufacturer, this request has become a reality,” said Elizabeth Hoenscheid, Top It Off CEO.
Also unveiled for this season is a line of TIO Kids flip flops.
There’s a new gift shop in town
Lu Lu O’Toole relaxes in her new store in Gig Harbor’s Finholm neighborhood, surrounded by her favorite things. The store is hers from the ground up, from the name, lu lu o’toole, to each item on display.
“This place represents me and my things,” she said. “I’m very picky about the things I carry. My style has been described as ‘electric, eccentric,’ and I just had a friend add ‘edgy’ to the list.”
The store carries vintage and new home decor and gifts in a space that exudes comfort and style.
When it’s tough the brave thrive
England — Running a business is in Mark Fletcher’s blood. His mother owned a series of cafes and there is a long family tradition of running shops in the East End of London.
So when Mark, 31, opened his Fig 1 ethical gift shop in Totterdown, south Bristol, a year ago, he was surprised to find how much the first year of trading had to teach him.
‘I was realistic about the pressures of running a business, but I had no idea just how important cash flow management was,’ he says.
The Norfolk boutique formerly known as Melange
Tucked into an off-center artery of Norfolk’s historic Ghent business district sits éclectique Mélange .
Everything about this boutique is off-center – in a Kimora-Lee-Simmons fabulosity way – from the spelling of the shop’s name to its eccentric merchandise to its glam owner.
Shirley Woolfitt recently took over the ladies boutique formerly known as Mélange and owned by Lacie Bowers.
Artists showcase work at Wade Creek House
Wade Creek House, a 14-member co-op of craftswomen and artisans, opened its doors one year ago this month, and the Estacada gift shop’s owner, Becky McFarland, has invited the community to come see how they have grown.
“A major highlight of our first year was in August, when we opened our new sun room,” McFarland said. “This added an additional 400-square-feet of needed space. That allowed us to invite new members to join, as we now have space to display more merchandise. Members will now be able to teach classes starting later this fall.”
From Sept. 24 to Sept.
Meet Your Neighbor – Virginia Seales
Alabama — Virginia Seales says that she has always had a “passion for fashion,” so it is really no surprise that she ended up owning her own clothing boutique, Uptown Girls. While she admits that it is a lot of work and requires a lot of faith, she says that it is well worth it because she is able to do what she loves.
“Fashion is exciting and it is always changing,” she says, adding that she really enjoys all of the aspects of designing and decorating, and she really likes decorating her stores.
Musical Jingle Bell Rock Skirt
OCEAN, NJ. — The Jingle Bell Rock skirt is the latest addition to the Acting Out line of musical dress up.
The holiday season would not be as joyous without the musical composition “Jingle Bell Rock” written by Joe Beal and Jim Boothe. This adorable petticoat style skirt is made of red and white soft tulle. The skirt is adorned with a candy cane striped bow finished off with a silver jingle bell. This fun flowing skirt is perfect to rock around the Christmas tree or pose for a holiday picture.
Skirt also features an adjustable waistband, which allows for maximum size versatility.
High IntenCity reveals Secret Surprise
FAIRLAWN, NJ – High IntenCity, leader in the Girls Accessory industry and always on the cusp of rising trends, launches a new line within the CHARM IT! brand, Secret Surprise Boxes. The trend of the unseen first emerged on the toy scene, and High IntenCity puts a special touch on the toy concept by letting girls accessorize with their surprise.
Each tiny package, full of mystery and intrigue, holds a secret oversized CHARM IT! charm inside. High IntenCity’s debut CHARM IT!
Lana Fuchs Couture Debuts at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
LAS VEGAS – Lana Fuchs, CEO and designer of Lana Fuchs Couture will participate in the Mercedes-Benz 7thAnnual Fashion Week in Los Angeles, California. She is the first designer from Las Vegas to be featured in the event. Fuchs will showcase more than fifty looks from the Spring 2009 Lana Fuchs Couture Collection inside The Main Tent at Smashbox Studios on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m.
7WNY presents inspiring keynote lineup for Tabletop Week
New York, NY – In addition to the latest tabletop, entertainment, gourmet and home accessory products on display in the permanent and temporary suites of 7 W New York, 7 W is pleased to announce an impressive program of keynote speakers and panels. Each Market day will feature a distinct presentation by distinguished media and hospitality experts sharing insight on everything from entertaining at home to this season’s must-have tabletop and housewares items. This programming complements a packed schedule of in-suite events, product launches and receptions.
Hurricane damage forces cancellation of gift show
ATLANTA — Due to the damage and condition of Galveston Island and the surrounding area caused by Hurricane Ike, Urban Expositions has announced the cancellation of the October 12-14, 2008 edition of the Galveston Gift & Resort Merchandise Show. The next edition will be held October 11-13, 2009 at the Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort, Galveston Island, TX.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the storm,” says Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions.
Mele’s ‘Rita’ has it all locked up
(UTICA, N.Y.) – Lock it up, but don’t throw away the key. Mele’s “Rita” is a striking jewelry box with a timeless design in a warm cherry finish.
Subtle details are what make our “Rita” stand out among the rest. With pearled drawer pulls and carved accents, this is a jewelry box like no other.
This piece features a scalloped lid with a circular mirror. The top section has ring rolls in the center with three equal compartments on either side. Each of the three drawers offers something different. One is open for storage of watches and other larger pieces of jewelry.
Peking Handicraft Introduces Rightshell Rug Designs
(San Francisco, Calif.) — Peking Handicraft, an international manufacturer and wholesaler of home textiles, decorative accessories and giftware, has recently added new rugs to the firm’s ever-popular Kelly Rightsell Collection. The collection of children’s décor items includes hook rugs, needlepoint pillows, linen items, growth charts, door hangers and more, featuring the licensed artwork of acclaimed artist Kelly Rightsell.
Mud Pie Sprouts New Products at the ABC Kids Expo
(TUCKER, Ga.) — Mud Pie’s best-selling baby collection has “sprouted” in all things pink and green! The award-winning international gift company introduces new additions to its popular Little Sprout Collection that include frilly new clothing, new girly travel accessories, treasure boxes and items to make bath time fun — all in adorable flower and polka dot designs. Adorable packaging and affordable pricing make the Little Sprout Collection perfect for gift-giving, accessorizing a bedroom and making your favorite tot blossom!
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Historic sites add reproduction antiques to gift shop offerings
Plymouth, Mass. — It’s a handcrafted wooden chest with two rows of side by side drawers, a type found in 17th century New England.
But this beautiful piece of furniture, made from oak and pine, with decorative red and black applied moldings and wooden turned drawer pulls, is not an antique.
It’s a brand new reproduction of a chest made in Plymouth colony in Massachusetts between 1660 and 1700.
Book and music store opens in Urbandale
One man’s vision is coming to fruition in Urbandale in the form of a state-of-the-art book and music store, gift shop, coffee shop, conference and meeting facility.
Jerry Chiaramonte said he has dreamed of creating a place where people could connect. That’s why he chose the name Connxions for his project in the new Tuscany Village retail center at 121st Street and Douglas Avenue.
Romantic Boutique Owner Sues North Texas Cities
Is it a sexually oriented business or just another gift shop? The owner of a romantic gift boutique is suing three North Texas cities, claiming they’re violating her constitutional rights.
The owner of a North Texas Condoms to Go store and a sister chain, Sara’s Secret, is speaking out. Meanwhile, the cities she’s suing are staying quiet.
Sara Lee Goff says she has a good working relationship with cities across the Dallas area.
DMC kicks off fall buying season
DALLAS – Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource, today announced the launch of the fall buying season at the market center. The market center offers First Monday & Tuesday Mini-Markets held on the first Monday & Tuesday of non-market months. The upcoming mini-markets will be held October 6–7, 2008 and November 3-4, 2008.
The First Monday & Tuesday Mini-Markets offer buyers the chance to place fill-in orders or make last minute inventory changes prior to the holiday season.
Kept Out of Landfills and Reborn as a Bag
Spend even a few minutes with Tom Szaky and he is bound to say, “The thing about garbage is …”
That’s because TerraCycle, the company he co-founded in 2001 and has run since, is aiming to make billions by collecting used plastic bags, juice pouches, cookie wrappers and other items that cannot be recycled and fusing them into everyday items like tote bags, pencil cases and messenger bags to be sold at some of the country’s biggest retailers.
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How Small Stores Can Lure Holiday Shoppers
Call it a customer service Christmas. Consumers are expected to rein in spending this year, and the retail climate favors big-box stores that can offer bargains. But because small retailers can’t win price wars (BusinessWeek.com, 4/14/08), experts say independents need to leverage their biggest advantage over the chains: personal relationships with customers and the ability to deliver superior service.