Archives: News
Best selling sailboat line expands
Dicksons, Inc. has supplied inspirational tabletop sailboats as office and desk top gifts and outstanding Father’s Day and graduation gifts for five years. During this period, an expansion of the product offering from metal boats on marble bases with inspirational words and scripture to Glass Inspirations to the wood and cloth sailboats first introduced for January 2007 has been embraced by gift consumers.
With sales of the popular gold and nickel metal sailboats continuing strong, the wood sailboats rocketed to best seller status in months.
Summer Las Vegas Market Moves in Eco-Friendly Direction
(LAS VEGAS )— The Summer 2008 Las Vegas Market will be emphasizing sustainability more than ever. The home furnishings industry’s most diverse eco-friendly assortments can be found in the lush, organic environment of the Market’s signature Living Green Pavilion, located on the fifth floor of the new Building C.
This is the third Market in which the World Market Center Las Vegas has gone green, by providing interested buyers with a centralized place to find eco-friendly products.
Retail Sales Probably Increased in May: U.S. Economy Preview
Bloomberg — Sales at U.S. retailers probably rose in May as Americans started spending tax rebate checks and record gas prices inflated service-station receipts, economists said before reports this week.
Purchases rose 0.5 percent following a 0.2 percent drop the prior month, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey before the Commerce Department’s report on June 12. Other reports may show rising food and fuel prices pushed up the cost of living and the housing slump showed no sign of abating.
Amherst’s Salzburg Square enjoying revitalization
Despite problems in the economy, business continues to thrive at Salzburg Square in Amherst. What was once considered a dying shopping center has added several new shops in the last 18 months.
But the Austrian-themed shopping center hasn’t always done so well. From the late 1990s until just two years ago, it was a ghost town. Shops were moving away and customers were scarce, said Michael Spyridakis, who purchased the nine-store complex in 2004.
At that time the complex had been in “disrepair” and the mix of tenants didn’t make for a cohesive shopping experience.
It’s becoming much easier to go green
Leah Oblinger had managed the San Francisco office of Barkley Court Reporters for two years when, in 2006, she decided to turn it green.
Oblinger convinced her bosses to switch to recycled paper for the 10 million sheets they use each year. When the landlord wouldn’t pay for new, low-flow toilets, she had the company buy them. She arranged for the firm’s computers to be put on timers, so they turn off automatically at 7 p.m.
“Once I found out we had environmental alternatives, everyone got so excited by it,” Oblinger said.
Local artisans’ work finds home in Hopwood
Nearly 30 artists and fine crafters have their work for sale in a new shop in Hopwood, but it’s more than the typical consignment arrangement.
It’s a new venture for the Fayette County board of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a worldwide organization that provides direct aid to people in need, and that helps them “to eliminate the causes” of their need.
Vincent’s Gallery, which opened in May, answers that mission statement in two ways.
“It helps people to help themselves,” said society executive director Roy Sarver.
Employees recall ‘class operation’
West Springfield – As they sat at a table at Bertucci’s yesterday afternoon, Robert M. Lombardi asked Charles M. Johnson about the family business that became a Springfield landmark.
“What do you think about the store becoming a Kinko’s?” Lombardi asked.
“I just heard about it,” Johnson said.
The men were among a group of 17 people who came to the restaurant for the 10th annual Johnson’s Book Store reunion, a confab of those who worked at the Main Street store that has been closed for a decade.
Consumers battle recession, inflation
Washington — To fight off a recession, Congress had the brilliant idea of giving consumers $100 billion or so to spend this summer. The only thing was they didn’t plan on gasoline going to $4 a gallon.
Consumers are getting the money and seem to be spending it. But will it be enough to fan the flames of growth, or will higher prices snuff out the stimulus?
Shirley Clarkson: my life with Paddington Bear
I now know what it feels like to be James Bond. The scene was the Belgian customs house at Ostend. Eddie, my husband, and I were on an ill-conceived and ill-fated trip to Cologne. God! I can’t believe how stupid we were.
We approached customs with a cheery smile. They were more than a little concerned about the contents of the car; hobbyhorse heads poking out of the rear windows, Paddington Bears along the parcel shelf. We explained that we were toy makers on our way to a trade fair. Silly move!
Rising costs throttling small businesses
Pittsburgh – Small business is risky business these days.
Costs are rising, profits are shrinking and the ability of the big guys to keep prices relatively lower is drawing away customers.
Things are so bad that many small enterprises, which account for about 99 percent of the country’s businesses, say they are hanging by a thread that may soon snap.
“We are basically losing money every month, about $1,000 a month. It’s been about two, three months now,” said Tom Weisbecker.
Couple seek rezoning for wine shop in Hubbard
Hubbard — Should a wine shop be allowed on a residential road?
That was the topic of a public hearing Thursday evening by the Hubbard Township Zoning Commission. Residents had the opportunity to discuss the possibility of a zoning change in their neighborhood that would allow the carry-out wine and gift shop to begin operation.
Rocco and Anna Maria Barletta, owners of Barletta Landscaping Inc. and Barletta Twin Pines Nursery on Pothour-Wheeler Road, petitioned the zoning commission earlier in the year because they want to open the shop on their property.
Downtown Milford shops and restaurants are open on Thursday evenings
Milford — Grab a piece of diner pie, shop for jewelry, and pick up some paperbacks for beach reading.
Where? Downtown Milford on Thursday evenings this summer.
Tracy Bardsley, director of the Main Street/Downtown Improvement Team, said she and shop owners got together and decided it would be good if they stayed open until 8 p.m. on Thursday nights, when banks are open later, through Labor Day.
Closing Up Shop
Cherry Creek — With the rap of the auctioneer’s gavel on Saturday morning, Jerry and Elaine Bentham will say goodbye to the business they have owned and operated for 39 years, as the Cherry Creek Hardware store and adjacent Stove Shop are closing their doors.
OneCoast Triples Size of Vegas Presence
OneCoast, the largest and only national provider of sales and marketing services to vendors and retailers of home decor, gift and collegiate products, is expanding its Las Vegas presence by opening a new showroom in Building C of the World Market Center.
Bring your BFF and Favorite Shoes: Midwest hosts first Girls’ Night Out
(Cannon Falls, MN) – BYO BFF (Best Friend Forever)!
DMC Exhibitors Offer Floor Events during June Home & Gift Market
DALLAS, TEXAS – Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource, announced its exhibitors will host a wide range of floor events during the upcoming June Total Home & Gift Market to be held June 18 – 24 in Dallas. Below is a list of scheduled events:
Trade Mart Treasures – Thursday-Sunday at 6 p.m., 1st and 2nd floor, Trade Mart
Cash drawings for several lucky buyers each day totaling $1,000. Get details in participating showrooms on the 1st and 2nd floors of the Trade Mart. Buyers must be present to win.
Rock Legend Rod Stewart to Headline Grand Opening of WMC Building C
(LAS VEGAS) — Rock legend Rod Stewart will headline the industry’s biggest night of the year at World Market Center Las Vegas Monday, July 28, which officially kicks off the 2008 Summer Las Vegas Market.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, songwriter and multi-platinum solo artist is set to deliver unprecedented star power as exhibitors and buyers from around the globe celebrate the highly anticipated Grand Opening of Building C on the campus of World Market Center Las Vegas. “Tonight’s the night,” indeed.
Send a Card, Send a Recipe, Send a Tune
Sharon O’Connor’s new Celebration Cards bring her renowned passion for food and music to the gift card industry.Celebration Cards — stylishly crafted to celebrate all the right occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and more — include a recipe card, a gift card, and a music download.
More than just a greeting card, Celebration Cards make great little gifts that retail for only $4.95.
High Intencity Ventures to the World of Hair
Fair Lawn, NJ – High IntenCity, known leader in the girls’ accessories industry, ventures into the world of hair. The company unveils hair collections and adds the new segment to an established assortment of jewelry brands for girls, tweens, and teens. High IntenCity translates popular icons and hot licenses onto a selection of embellished head wraps and charmed elastic sets.
In true High IntenCity fashion, each 10 piece hair elastic set comes on a ball chain with a large matching charm meant for girls to accessorize whatever they please.
Best-Selling Creator Invents Jishaku: the Magnet Strategy game for big kids
Tampa, FL – With a degree in electrical engineering, Steve Velte knows a lot about force fields and electronics. He’s used his science know-how to create many innovative products. This year he’s launching his first game, Jishaku, aimed at tweens, teens and adults, where the power of magnets allows the force to be with you (or not!).
“I think this is the first game to make people jump out of their chairs,” laughs the Florida-based game maker.