Archives: News
Are you making the most of your window displays?
Some window displays are eagerly awaited, for example those in London at Liberty and Selfridges for Christmas. But investing in window displays is not only for big department stores. Pharmacies can and, according to Cliff Messiter, a fellow of the British Display Society, should make use of their windows too.
“Window displays are important because they are your first opportunity to sell to a potential customer on the street. You don’t sell anything to people while they are standing on the pavement.
Grand opening to celebrate new shop
Ashland – Helen Borchardt will welcome customers to her new business during a grand opening celebration in June. The Greenwood resident opened Helen’s Gift Shop and Gallery in downtown Ashland on May 1.
New biz offers ‘everything you want and nothing you need’
The Villagers Collection, a new Camden County retail business, offers a eclectic mix of items that the store motto says is “everything you want and nothing you need.”
Owners Dori Hegi and Donna Hetzel created the motto to describe the wide assortment of merchandise offered. The store opened May 9 and sells everything from home accents and custom floral arrangements to unique lamps, stylish purses and exclusive jewelry lines, such as Maximal Art by New York designer John Wind.
“We felt there was a need for a conveniently located gift shop boutique.
Lake Champlain Chocolates Introduces New Gifts for Autumn, Halloween & Thanksgiving
Burlington, Vt. – Lake Champlain Chocolates (LCC), a gourmet Vermont chocolate maker, has introduced its fall line of all-natural chocolate gifts for Autumn, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Made in small batches from the finest local ingredients, Lake Champlain Chocolates are carefully crafted by chocolatiers fanatical about creating chocolates with the honest individuality, charm, quality, and freshness which are synonymous with the spirit of Vermont.
“Autumn in Vermont is filled with harvest festivals celebrating nature’s bounty,” said Allyson Myers, Director of Sales for LCC.
Buyers Market of American Craft Named among Nation’s Largest Tradeshows
Baltimore, Md. —The Buyers Market of American Craft, the nation’s largest wholesale craft show, is among the top 200 tradeshows in the United States, according to Tradeshow Week magazine.
The ranking lists the nation’s largest tradeshows, based on number of exhibitors and number of attendees, among other criteria.
Held semi-annually at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pa., the Buyers Market features artist-made work in every medium including ceramics, glass, wood, metal, jewelry, paper and more.
S Boutique brings style
Women now have a place where they can shop for clothes, sip wine and watch television while they change clothes.
S Boutique opened three weeks ago in the Spring Creek Village and offers a variety of women’s clothing and accessories. The owners will have a grand opening June 8-10 with drawings for gift certificates, refreshments and a 15 percent discount on purchases.
Stephanie and David Vanhooser, co-owners, purchased a similar store in Enid about a year and a half ago. Stephanie works as cardiac nurse with David, who is a cardiac surgeon.
As Shore homes go upscale, so goes oceanside shopping
Not that long ago, shoppers at the Jersey Shore could expect to wade through the shallow end of the retail world.
At a typical resort store, customers might find a kitschy collection of cheap T-shirts, saltwater taffy and hermit crabs.
But now, observers see a growing appetite for upscale items in an increasingly affluent marketplace.
James J. savors its tasty niche
Three generations of candy making continue at James J. Chocolate Shop on Madison’s Near West Side. The store, 3514 Monroe St., offers an assortment of sweet confections that date back to the early days of the last century.
Owner James Jarnigo said he learned the craft by working in his family’s store.
“I started with my uncle, which is Bill Niemann of Niemann Chocolate in Wauwatosa,” Jarnigo said. “His father started in 1919. So through junior high and high school and the UW-Milwaukee, I worked there and learned the business that way.”
James J.
Everything Just Ducky at gift shop
When they opened their third Just Ducky store in the area, the Donofrio family brought a local flavor to Promenade Bolingbrook, a new shopping mall otherwise occupied by national retailers.
Lori Donofrio and her brother, Darren, opened the store in late April, more than 20 years after their mother first opened Just Ducky, selling home decorations and gifts at locations in Naperville and Darien.
Darren said he and his sister got involved years ago in the business as understudies for their mother, who, as Darren said, “still gets dressed and comes to work each day, even though Lori and I
Should gift cards last forever? House says yes
A bill banning the use of expiration dates and service fees on retail gift cards used in Minnesota cleared another big hurdle today, passing the House by a large margin – 95 to 37.
The House bill includes just one amendment from the Senate version that passed in mid-April: an effective date of August 1, 2007 that applies to gift cards issued or sold on or after that date. A House official said authors of the House bill cleared the amendment with Sen.
Protecting Yourself From Copycats
Q: In 2004, a toy retailer requested a number of samples and specifications from our company for a craft kit we have been producing and selling. After several months of “evaluation,” the company said they weren’t going to carry our product. But we’ve realized they have been making what we believe is a copy of our product. What are our options?
—Y.O., Princeton Junction, N.J.
Live from the NSS!
New York – The 61st annual National Stationery Show was a flurry of activity on Opening Day, Sunday, May 20, with attendees and exhibitors reporting a renewed energy on the Show floor over previous years. The new look of the Show – bold colors from floor to ceiling – created some positive buzz, as did the 300+ first-time exhibitors launching new products never before seen by the Show’s 14,000 annual attendees.
Unique new products were found across all categories – from desk accessories and frames, to new greeting card lines and partyware.
Feeling the broken bridge blues; Though traffic has improved, local businesses say sales are still lagging
Jane Tarrance sat behind the counter of Collectors Antique Mall on Tuesday perusing “The Pat Conroy Cookbook.”
“I’ve done really good catching up on my reading since the (J.E. McTeer) bridge closed,” said Tarrance, who owns the antiques store in Lady’s Island Center on U.S. 21. “This is the second book I’ve read.”
That’s the silver lining. Here’s the cloud: “I haven’t sold anything all day.”
The McTeer bridge, one of two connectors to Lady’s Island, was damaged April 26 when a crane being carried by a barge struck the bridge. Traffic had to be funneled through the Richard V.
Big plans in Prosser for Princess
Prosser — Sitting in the darkened balcony of Prosser’s Princess Theater, Rich and Deb Wallace paused a minute to take it all in — the nearly 300 emerald green theater chairs below, the trompe l’oeil walls and the stage being set up for an afternoon showing of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
“It’s just an incredible feeling,” said Deb Wallace. “Every time we think about it — we’re going, ‘Do you believe this?’ “
The couple is still coming to terms with the fact they will soon be the new owners of the renovated theater, which opened its doors in February after a long remodeling.
Minority business at BWI assessed; Tenant complaints prompt Md. audit of concessions firm
State auditors are examining BWI’s concessions manager and the minority-owned shops and restaurants participating in a program designed to help them prosper, after mixed results, lawsuits and tenant complaints.
Some minority business owners say the airport and concessions manager BAA Maryland Inc.
Gift-shop girl
Maureen Duffy is manager of volunteer services at Lakewood Hospital. It’s a job that has her in charge of the hospital’s gift shop — and its two dozen or so volunteer workers and handful of paid employees. All the proceeds from the shop make their way back to the hospital. Between selling get-well cards and baby balloons, Duffy answered a few questions from PDQ’s John Campanelli.
More bling, less blah for shore shoppers
Not that long ago, shoppers at the Jersey Shore could expect to wade through the shallow end of the retail world.
At a typical resort store, customers might find a kitschy collection of cheap T-shirts, salt-water taffy and creeping hermit crabs.
But now observers see a growing appetite for upscale items in an increasingly affluent marketplace.
Boston Gift Show Launches New Buyer Webinar
The Boston Gift Show has announced plans to expand its education component by launching a New Buyer Webinar, to be presented in advance of the Show, on Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at 1:00pm EST. Sponsored by Giftware News magazine, the Webinar is a pre-show planning tool for new registrants. The Boston Gift Show will be held September 15-18, 2007, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
Webinar participants will “dial in and log on” to learn how to shop the Show efficiently and effectively, place orders and follow-up with exhibitors.
New Companies to Highlight Handmade
White Plains, NY – Some 30 first-time exhibitors will join Handmade at the New York International Gift Fair – with most of the newcomers located together at the 1D Hall entrance to the division – Saturday, August 11, through Wednesday, August 16, 2007, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
York Beach shop offers candles and collectibles
YORK — Open on weekends since the first weekend in May, Seashore Candles & Collectibles is much more than a candle or gift shop. For owner Diana Flynn, it is a path toward recovery and spiritual rejuvenation.
“My husband was a firefighter for many years in York Beach, but died last year from a heart attack,” Flynn said. “After my husband passed away, I wanted to do something that I enjoyed. I wanted to be my own boss and I love candles.