Archives: News
One building, five shops
Ashley Henley is only 20 years old. She’s a student at East Central Community College, a former Junior Miss, and currently holds the title of Miss Hospitality in Newton County. She also owns her own thriving business.
Although 20 may seem young for a business owner, Ashley got an early start, selling outfits she had designed for her poodle, Nikki, out of the family vehicle. A couple of years later, she started selling the clothes over the internet under the moniker “Dezignz by Nikki,” and eventually, with the help of her parents Kim and Ken, got a storefront for her business.
Tornado’s Gifts: Greensburg Rebuilds, Revitalizes
Many people in Greensburg, Kan., say that when their town was hit by a tornado last year, it was something of a gift. Residents have worked furiously during the past year not only to revitalize the once-dying town, but also to rebuild it in a way that is both economically and environmentally sustainable.
As President Bush visits Sunday, one year after one of the most powerful tornados on record obliterated the small town, he’ll find an amazing revitalization.
Don’t skimp on Mom!
While national economic pressures are expected to reduce spending for Mother’s Day this year, area merchants don’t look for Mom to be shorted.
The National Retail Foundation expects an average of $138.63 to be spent for Mother’s Day (May 11) compared with $139.14 last year.
“Mom has been saying for decades that it’s the thought that counts on Mother’s Day, and this year, kids might actually be listening,” said Tracy Mullin, the foundation’s CEO.
But Victor Becks, owner of Becks Florist, 609 W. Lake St. and 105 E. Washington St. in East Peoria, doesn’t look for a downturn.
Eat! Drink! Shop!: Denver’s Highland Neighborhood
This close to Mother’s Day, we looked around for a shopping area that would help you out with the old “what to get Mom” dilemma. If you can’t find the perfect gift in the shops along 32nd Avenue in the Highland area, sorry, but there’s no hope for you.
A few shop owners acknowledged that the stretch is jammed with “girly-girl” stores, but even the most virile of men will enjoy stepping into the past to admire the classic Victorian structures in Highland, which became a city in 1885.
Mother’s Day expected to trigger spending
The gloomy economy will cast a shadow over gift-giving this Mother’s Day, a national retail study predicts.
With just over a week to go until the holiday, merchants in the Southeast Valley are urging shoppers not to shortchange the woman who gave you life or the mother of your children.
Is there a nicer way to spend those “economic stimulus” checks while also helping the local economy?
The stimulus check question: to save or to spend?
Clark Gruninger admits it’s pretty unlikely that the federal stimulus rebates arriving in mailboxes and checking accounts this week will draw many new customers to his Pontoon Beach boat shop, Gruninger’s Performance Marine.
The rebates were supposed to jump-start the economy, but with gas prices surging and recession-like conditions looming, Gruninger knows many will have more pressing needs for their newborn stimulus checks than anything in his store, where a new 25-foot SanPan pontoon boat sells for nearly $50,000.
“It’s hard to say,” he said Wednesday.
Retailers look to stretch your economic-stimulus dollars
As the Internal Revenue Service began depositing economic-stimulus checks into bank accounts this week, several area retailers were a step ahead with sales and promotional offers already in place to entice residents into their establishments.
“We were looking at what we could do to help our customers stretch their checks a little bit further — provide more value,” said Sears Holding Corp. spokeswoman Kirsten Whipple.
Jane Robertson Promoted to EVP of Marketing for Dallas Market Center
Dallas, TX – Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource, announced Jane R. Robertson has been promoted to executive vice president of marketing. Robertson will continue to lead the marketing department including communications, special events, retail development and international development. As an EVP, Robertson will join the Dallas Market Center Executive Committee.
Hemisphere Design Gallery Brings the Outdoors Inside this June
Dallas, TX – Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource, announced Hemisphere Design Gallery will offer new products to bring the outdoors inside with unique lines during June Total Home & Gift Market (June 18 – 24). Incorporating outdoor elements into decorating schemes is hot for spring and Hemisphere Design Gallery will have the resources that buyers need to carry this style into their own stores or clients’ homes. Hemisphere Design Gallery is the shared showroom featured as part of the design floors on the World Trade Center 9th floor.
Outdoor Living Introduces New Furniture Lines & Color Patterns
Dallas, TX – Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource, announced the Outdoor Living shared showroom will introduce new furniture lines and seasonal color patterns during the upcoming Total Home & Gift Market (June 18-24).
Outdoor Living, a 20,000-square-foot showroom located on the sixth floor of Dallas Market Center’s World Trade Center, features numerous exhibitors of outdoor furniture, lighting, art, rugs, fountains, statuary, pottery, garden accessories, and granite and copper fire pits.
New lines to Outdoor Living will include BluWorld and Old Hick
The Gourmet Market Debuts ‘The Grape Vine’
Dallas, TX – Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource, announced The Gourmet Market will debut “The Grape Vine” as well as a variety of new lines during the Total Home & Gift Market taking place June 18-24.
The Gourmet Market is a 5,000-square-foot shared showroom that features more than 2,000 product lines of gourmet foods, kitchen accessories, casual tabletop and gourmet gadgets. As the only open daily gourmet showroom in the United States, it serves as a culinary showplace for the newest products from leading chefs and gourmet companies.
Flowers to fishing rods, teapots to tractors, Mom
It’s May. Have you thought of your mom yet?
You likely will by the time Mother’s Day rolls around on May 11.
The Web site, mothersdaycentral.com, says 96 percent of American consumers take part in shopping for Mother’s Day. The National Retail Federation calls Mother’s Day a $14 billion industry.
NYIGF Handmade Showcases Authentic Craft at Summer 2008
White Plains, NY – A new designation identifying “designer-maker” exhibitors will be introduced this summer in Handmade at the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), providing an opportunity for buyers to easily distinguish individual artisans from production craft. In addition an influx of some 50 new exhibitors will extend the global and American-made resources presented at Handmade.
Handmade runs Saturday, August 16 through Wednesday, August 20, 2008, at New York City ‘s Jacob K.
5 Fatal Mistakes for Small Retailing
In today’s fast-moving and ever-changing business environment, mistakes can be fatal. Even at best, statistics show that about half of small businesses last less than two years.
My 20-plus years of successfully operating several retail stores have made me a keen observer of the retail scene, and more important, the mistakes made by many retailers that have, in many cases, caused their demise.
New gift shop in Scituate Harbor
Scituate – Nancy Levanchy has brought a little Joye to Scituate Harbor. Her new gift shop at 196 Front St. features a twist in the name and also in its inventory.
“Joy is my favorite word, and I wanted a single-syllable word for the store and that was the first name I came up with,” Levanchy said. “When we put the ‘e’ on the end, it just artistically looked better. … It’s my little twist on a really good, happy little word.
Hot Trends to Cool Sustainability, California Gift Show Defines Trends
White Plains, NY – As a leading West Coast trendsetter – from the pop culture of Southern California to the universal health of the planet – the summer edition of the California Gift Show will launch exciting new resource areas including a Sustainable Furniture Council Pavilion, The Vintage Collection division, a ‘Launch’ section for companies new to the market and a ‘Food Focus’ neighborhood.
San Francisco’s Unique Style to set tone for Summer Gift Fair
White Plains, NY – San Francisco’s distinctive style – and eco-conscious, wine-savvy, museum-rich and design-driven culture – will pervade the summer edition of the San Francisco International Gift Fair, July 26-29, 2008, at the Moscone Center.
Tea shop can’t serve tea
Amherstburg – The owners of the Loretta Rose Tea Chest fear they won’t be able to steep their 85 varieties of tea when they open in a week at their new location.
The quaint tea shop moved three blocks, to 219 Dalhousie St., in February. The shop is located across the street from the King’s Navy Yard Park, adjacent to a jewelry store and two doors down from an ice cream parlour and Italian restaurant.
Despite the bustling commercial business area, the tea shop’s property is zoned residential-commercial, with restrictions.
New organic products shop opening
Coshocton – When Sara Kulbacki of Fresno saw a need for new and different products in the Coshocton area, she wanted to try to fill it.
After racking up plenty of miles to purchase natural and organic items for her family, she wanted to establish her interest locally.
“I’m into organic stuff for children like lotion, soaps and food,” she said. “You can get stuff here and there, but I have to travel to Canton to find a good variety. There’s nothing like that around here, so I thought a store would be a good idea.”
The Baby of Mine shop, located at 125 N.
Hampden gets piece of the pie
Big change is coming to a once-popular stretch of retail stores in the 3,500 block of Chestnut Avenue in Hampden.
Gone for good are a tea room and a consignment store. Coming soon are a pie shop and an Indian-themed gift shop, as well as an antique store relocating from Roland Park.
Alice Ann Finnerty said she won’t be reopening Finnerteas tea room, 3547 Chestnut Ave., or The Turnover Shop, 3549 Chestnut Ave.