Archives: News
Woolrich Announces Picture Source as New Wall Decor Licensee
Woolrich, PA — Woolrich, Inc., the brand inspired by nature for people who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, has partnered with Picture Source to launch a comprehensive collection of wall art. A soft launch will be held during the Las Vegas Market from July 28 to August 1, with a full-scale launch taking place in High Point in October. The art will be displayed in the Picture Source showroom in Building A, Showroom 319 in World Market Center Las Vegas.
Enesco acquires Gund business
Itasca, Ill. – – Enesco, LLC, a leader in the gift, and home and garden decor industries, announced the acquisition of the worldwide assets of GUND, the 110-year-old plush manufacturer. GUND is a well-recognized global brand, and has been revered for maintaining its founding values of quality, and for creating the world’s most huggable soft bears and animals.
The company is based in Edison, N.J., and distributes worldwide including the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and South America.
Mindy Kaling of NBC’s “The Office” to Officiate “The Office Games”
New York – Mindy Kaling, writer, co-executive producer and the actress known as the chatty Kelly Kapoor on NBC’s “The Office,” will join fans in Scranton, PA, on Saturday, July 19 as Dunder Mifflin’s hometown becomes the first city to offer the new The Office DVD Board Game and The Office Trivia Game by Pressman Toy and licensed by NBC Universal Television Consumer Products Group.
Ms. Kaling will officiate “The Office Games” – a full day of Dunder Mifflin style fun – starting with a 2K Fun Run and ending with a Beet Eating Contest that would make Dwight proud.
Sadek Reports 59 Percent Increase in Wholesale Online Sales
New Rochelle, NY — Andrea by Sadek, a leading wholesale supplier to the gift, tableware and home furnishings industries known for its range of unique products, reports a 59 percent increase in its wholesale online sales over the last three months, compared to the same period in 2007. The company credits the increase to a new Web site and integrated e-marketing campaign designed by web-based technology and service provider, Whereoware.
“Our new Web site and e-marketing campaign launched at the beginning of April.
Nine in 10 expect gas costs to squeeze them
Washington – Four-dollar gasoline has stolen a beach vacation from Julie Jacobs’ family, “little small luxuries” like exotic bath washes from Angela Crawford and dinners out from folks all over the country. Phil English has had to sell his beloved but fuel-guzzling red pickup.
Like a plague that hits every economic class, race and age, soaring fuel prices are inflicting pain throughout the U.S. Nine in 10 people are expecting the ballooning costs to squeeze them financially over the next half-year, says an Associated Press-Yahoo News poll released Monday.
Parker City beauty salon expands with coffee bar
Parker City has a new business in town, Reflections. Open April 1, the new establishment is located on St. Rd. 32 in the former Thompson Insurance building and consists of several enterprises rolled into one. Clever hairstylists and co-owners Melissa Buis and Carissa Morris decided to add a coffee bar to their beauty shop. Husbands Tom and Michael, respectively, are also part owners.
“The idea started small from offering coffee, tea and milk,” Buis said. “Then it expanded to The Coffee Bar at Reflections.
Mother, daughter work together at their gift shop
Gary – When Gwen Moore was 8 years old, her mother gave her a choice of activities to fill her leisure time. She had no idea that this choice would have a big impact on her adult life.
“It was either join the Girl Scouts or take ceramic classes,” said the Crown Point resident. “I tried the Brownie thing, but that just wasn’t me. So I chose ceramics.”
The hobby never left her, as she continued the craft throughout her adult life, even while raising four children.
Along with her daughter Lavita Burr, Moore owns and operates Gwen’s Expressions Gift Shop at 4444 Broadway.
GIFT SHOP Magazine announces winner of 2008 ‘Ultimate Makeover Contest’
HANOVER, Mass. – GIFT SHOP magazine is proud to announce that Mary Haynes, owner of Kountry Nook in Pekin, IL, is the winner of its 2008 ‘Ultimate Makeover Contest.’ The winner was chosen after careful consideration of entries from a wide variety of gift shops.
Scarlet Coers, a staff member of Kountry Nook, submitted the entry as a surprise for Haynes after what Coers described as a particularly trying year for Haynes and the store. Both Coers and Haynes were delighted to be chosen the winner and are looking forward to the results of the makeover.
NYIGF Tabletop & Housewares Division expands in August
WHITE PLAINS, NY – An increased number of luxury tabletop and home entertaining lines and some 25 new and returning companies, will be among highlights in Tabletop & Housewares at the summer 2008 New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF).
Big plans in store for Little Falls’ businesses
Little Falls – Carolyn Brundige of Amsterdam is an antiques dealer who shops monthly along the businesses at Canal Place in search of bargains.
“I’m always looking for merchandise here,” she said. “When I come here, I shop along Canal Place and eat at the Ann Street Deli.”
And that’s exactly what city officials and Canal Place businesses want to hear. Home to some of the oldest structures in the city, businesses — from restaurants and shops to a theater and spa — are continuing to pop up within the tiny district that sits beside the Erie Canal and the Mohawk River.
Christian retail market heats up
Salisbury — At meeting of the nation’s top 100 independent religious booksellers in Nashville last month, an industry publisher announced it was scaling back the number of titles available for distribution to retail stores. The news was a second “holy cow!” for Jack Savage, who is already fighting to shield Jack’s Religious Gift Shop from what could be his stiffest competition in nearly 50 years.
Competitive Business Tools during expert-led Seminars at Summer Show
SEATTLE – Pacific Market Center announces a dynamic group of speakers providing buyers with ideas on everything that is buzzing in the industry during Seattle Market Week – Summer Gift and Home Accessories Show on Aug. 13-19. The west coast’s premier week-long buying event will conduct complimentary seminars designed to provide fresh ideas for competitive business strategies throughout the year. Featured speakers include:
Laura Leist, author, productivity consultant, columnist for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and founder of Eliminate Chaos – Wednesday, August 13th
Design Icon Series Names Larry Laslo as Summer 2008 Honoree
(LAS VEGAS) — World Market Center Las Vegas is honoring the design world’s own Larry Laslo of Larry Laslo Designs as a Design Icon during the Summer 2008 Las Vegas Market held July 28 – Aug. 1.
In the exclusive Design Icon Lecture series, design legends share their stories and experience in order to inspire future designers. Laslo is the second Design Icon to be honored in this fashion, with the first being Vladmir Kagan at the previous Winter Las Vegas Market.
Laslo will discuss highlights of his life as a designer and sources of his inspiration.
Grant Dawson collections to be featured in High Design and Green Product Showcase
(McLean, VA) — Grant Dawson Collections, creator of upscale, earth-friendly decorative accessories, has been selected to display their new product line, the Endangered Species Collection, within two highly esteemed showcases during the upcoming Atlanta Gift Show temporaries exhibit, July 11-15.
Grant Dawson Collections will be showing in the HIGH DESIGN Pavilion, located in Building 1, Floor 10, Booth M23.
Manual Woodworkers & Weavers, inc. becomes a licensee of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
(Hendersonville, NC) – Manual Woodworkers & Weavers, Inc. announces a new licensing agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. for a collection of Elvis-inspired home decor.
Elvis may have left the building, but his legend lives on as Manual has morphed the adoration of this rock n’ roll icon into decorative and practical products for the home.
Tapestry items like the fiber optic wallhanging will become an exciting way to display love for Elvis.
Midwest Starts an E-volution
(Cannon Falls, MN) – Midwest, leading designer and manufacturer of the Seasons of Cannon Falls brand of holiday and seasonal home accents, premium Colonial Candle brand of candles, and Delight brand of accents to brighten the home, announces a new initiative to provide convenient, on-demand “e-tools” for independent retailers. The first phase includes the debut of Midwest’s new e-catalogs for all three brands, which are available online at www.midwestofcannonfalls.com.
Catch the Wind art gallery, gift shop represents dream come true for proprietors
Shepody – Diana Paterson’s dream has come true and the ardor in her voice reveals sheer happiness.
She and her husband Art have bid farewell to the clamour of big city life to own and operate Catch the Wind, a soothing coffee shop, art gallery and gift boutique in Shepody, four miles south of The Hopewell Rocks on Route 114 in Albert County.
Shop adds a personal touch to gift-giving
Huntington — For those who have a difficulty finding unique gifts, look no further than one of Huntington’s newest addition to their shopping attractions.
Mug & Pia, an acronym for “Most Unique Gifts and Paper Items Around,” was created by Kim Sarka Lake and opened April 1.
“I was looking for something new, and though opening a business is not a hobby, I believe it should be fun and fulfilling,” Lake said.
Mug and Pia is filled with a myriad of specialty stationery.
An uptime for airport stores; Delays, fewer flights mean more chances to shop
En route to board a flight to sunny California recently, Ray Perez found time to try on several pairs of designer sunglasses.
The Houston businessman, who travels once or twice a month, happened to walk by the Destinations store at Bush Intercontinental Airport when a display grabbed his eye.
“I thought, wow, I could use a pair of glasses,” said Perez, a litigation specialist for Fairmont Speciality Insurance Co. who bought some $90 Oakleys.
Grapevine specialty doll business closing after 21 years
Grapevine – Frances Wiggins’ customers will have to go elsewhere to buy their dolls, now that her Grapevine Doll and Gift Shop is shutting down this week after 21 years on South Main Street.
Wiggins has another shop in Bowie in Montague County, where she and her husband, Carl, have lived for the last five years. It’s just become too cumbersome and time-consuming to commute to Grapevine from 70 miles away, she said.
“We dearly love Grapevine, we really do,” Wiggins said as she, relatives and some employees packed up dolls.