Archives: News
Happiness trumps pay for S.D. women who own businesses
Cheryl Cressman hasn’t made much money as owner of a doll museum, but she doesn’t measure success in profits.
When Cressman opened Cheryl’s Doll House in 2005, she knew she never would make a living on it, but that didn’t stop her.
Her definition of success is similar to that of many rural women entrepreneurs, according to a study conducted by a South Dakota State University economics professor.
The study found women are more likely to prioritize personal satisfaction and helping others over profit.
“I’m not in the business to make a (living), which I could never do,” Cressman said.
Businesses hope Fourth of July sparks sales
Many local and national retailers are counting on Independence Day to jump-start their July sales, while others say the holiday doesn’t have a huge impact on their businesses.
Still, the National Retail Federation estimates 34.5 million U.S.
Women Tightening Purse Strings For Next Six Months
The latest BIGresearch study, and light-hearted analysis on the State of the US Consumer in June 2007, says that when it comes to today’s consumer, it’s difficult to figure out which way is up. It gets even more perplexing when the voices of consumer experts, Wall Street analysts and media talking heads chime in.
Many consumers are feeling confused and wonder why they feel bad when the experts say they should feel good.
Franz Collection Introduces Summer 2007 Fine Porcelain Home Accessories & Tabletop
San Francisco – Franz Collection Inc. announced today the addition of 60 new porcelain, fine tabletop and decorative accent pieces to its stylish collections. The additions, including exclusive new additions from Kathy Ireland Home by Franz, are sure to please porcelain connoisseurs and home decorators with unique creativity and innovative design.
The summer 2007 Franz Collection introductions will debut at the Dallas Gift and Home trade show in June and subsequently at all of the major and regional gift shows across the United States.
DEMDACO Introduces Four New Inspirational Gift Lines for Summer 2007
Leawood, KANSAS – DEMDACO is excited to unveil four new inspirational lines for Summer 2007.
Creative Co-Op Expands Atlanta Showroom to Accommodate Full Line of Home Decor Products
Creative Co-Op, Inc. enters the July market with growing momentum as it expands into an adjacent showroom on the 10th floor of Atlanta’s Gift Mart, Building 2, Space 1003.
With an impressive investment in the transformation of the space, Creative Co-Op now boasts a total of 6,163 sq. ft. in the Atlanta Gift Mart. The expansion will allow the Company to show its entire home decor line as well as their full line of seasonal items.
Minnesota 36 North St. Paul / Businesses feel lost amid the roadwork
Roseann Kermes started an e-mail Friday morning by typing, “Look at the depths I’ve stooped to for business.”
The owner of Rosebud’s Cottage, in North St. Paul, then laid out the details of her “Free Paris” sale – ostensibly commemorating the release of Paris Hilton. Kermes plans to offer percentage discounts connected to the number of days the celebutant spends incarcerated, with the sale beginning the day she’s freed.
What to Expect When Expecting? A Whole Lot of Loot
After Claire Varrelmann announced that she was pregnant, she created three registries for her four baby showers.
Ms. Varrelmann, 28, who lives in Stoughton, Wis., started off with a shower given by her best friend from college, held in her husband’s hometown of Clear Lake, Iowa, and attended primarily by women on his side of the family.
Three co-workers at Weber Shandwick, the public relations firm where Ms. Varrelmann works, held a shower for her in the office, using the theme “Sweet and Sassy.” A third shower, given by friends, was for the women in her family.
A Mid in a candy store; success has been a treat for Ebensburg shop
Ebensburg — Mildred “Mid” Mandichak insists she has no secret recipe.
Instead, she says, it’s all in the type of chocolate.
It must be, because Mandichak started making her candy 28 years ago, using 500 pounds of chocolate and selling her treats at Christmas and Easter from her Mylo Park home.
Now her store, Mid’s Candy, is approaching its 20th anniversary at the Ebensburg Mini-Mall, and she uses 30,000 pounds of chocolate a year.
She ships all over the country, and overseas to England and even Iraq, such as the time she and her staff made and packed 450 chocolate eggs to U.S.
Former accountant finds success in quilting
Choctaw, Okla. (AP) – Marie Childress worked as an accountant for about 25 years. After her husband retired after 23 years in the U.S. Navy, her job with Inion Inc., a medical device maker, relocated Childress to Oklahoma City.
Besides her career as an accountant, Childress also shared a love of quilting with her mother and grandmother and had a longtime dream of opening a quilt shop.
From glass to goodies, Funk’s gallery is one of a kind
Sketched patterns of various shapes coat large pieces of white paper that are draped across the tables and walls of an art studio.
Carrying on a Bountiful tradition
Edmonds —Todd Waddell was 14 when he first went to The Weed Lady, a quaint gift store owned by Joan Searle.
Mom-and-pop gift cards; These modern alternatives to gift certificates are going local
From Christmas stockings to bar mitzvah bashes, plastic gift cards from big chain stores have become an accepted part of American gift-giving over the past decade.
Now, local retailers are getting into the act, offering gift cards instead of old-fashioned gift certificates.
A small but growing number of neighborhood stores are starting to sell their own branded gift cards, spurred by advances in point-of-sale technology that make it relatively cheap and easy for them to process the cards.DeLessio Market and Bakery, with two bakery-cafe locations in San Francisco, has sold about 3,000 gi
Store’s closing brings end to local tradition; Owner of Jewish-themed gift shop is retiring
Tradition — a gift shop specializing in Jewish-themed art, books, gifts, jewelry and music — is closing after 20 years in business.
Judy Wertheimer, the owner of the shop at 932 S. Winton Road at the Twelve Corners, is retiring.
“I really enjoyed the business,” the former Brighton elementary school teacher said. “I love the customers, vendors and artists we have met over the years.
Floral store blossoms for mom, daughter; Boutique grows in larger space downtown
“We’ve been looking for a place for two years, so this is like heaven,” said Ellie Bonde, co-owner with daughter Rene of Blossom & Basket Boutique in Mount Airy.
The Bondes found just the space they were looking for at 3 Main St., in a 2,400-square-foot two story building that had been the home of a plumbing contractor.
Investigators seize more than $500,000 in Myrtle Beach raid
Authorities arrested and charged four beachwear store owners with distribution and trafficking of counterfeit merchandise.Agents say they seized more than a half-million dollars in counterfeit goods along North Ocean Boulevard Wednesday.For the second time in a year, agents swept through several beachwear stores and cleaned house.Myrtle Beach police partnered with Secretary of State agents and cleared out more than $500,000 in knock-off goods from 5 beachwear stores.The stores named in the raid are Dead Head Shop, Sunset Jewelry and the backroom of Sunset Jewelry, Secret Gift Shop, and Exotic
Shoppers choose environment; Plastic bags are out, reusables are in as stores struggle to meet demand
Cloth and reusable bags are appearing in a number of Kingston stores, and downtown retailers say customers are snapping them up because they’re worried about waste from plastic bags.
“People are becoming more and more aware of it [plastic waste],” David Rute, assistant manager of the A&P grocery store at Princess and Barrie streets, said. “We’re going through so many [reusable bags] right now. We’re ordering 10 cases at a time.”
The company can’t keep up with the demand, he said, and the store always asks for more than they get in their orders.
Bronnley, the Soap Used in the British Royal Households is Now Available in America
Bronnley of London has the privileged honor of being the recipient of two Royal Warrants: one from Her Majesty, The Queen; and one from His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales. A warrant and use of the Royal Coat-of-Arms (proudly featured on all Bronnley packaging) is not granted lightly. The significance of Royal Warrants is that the company supplies the Royal Households on a regular and ongoing basis. Over 121 years ago, James Bronnley set off for Paris to study the art of soap making. Returning to England, he applied the principles learned about milling techniques to soap production.
Merchants Should Be Preparing For The Holidays Now; Eight merchandising tips
Just as most consumers begin to enjoy summer, it’s time for savvy merchants to put the finishing touches on holiday sales plans. While it is difficult to estimate the volume of “gifting” purchases made online, there is no doubt about the customers’ penchant for buying gifts via this channel.
During the 2006 holiday season, the e-tailing group, in conjunction with StartSampling, a marketing services company, conducted the inaugural Mindset of the Multichannel Shopper Survey.
Sparkle Designs Launches New Line of Greeting Cards
Eloyce Newman, Dallas artist and graphic designer, has launched a new fresh line of greeting cards using innovative design and creative artwork that appeals to the very old to the very young.
From the whimsical to the contemporary to the more traditional, Sparkle Designs offers a wide range of photo cards, fill-in cards, imprintable invitations and gift card enclosures that is sure to fit every style and taste.