Archives: News
Tribe uses native plants in spa products
Creosote bush, the fragrant, yellow-blossoming bush that covers Valley mountainsides, is a key ingredient in a new line of spa products developed by the Gila River Indian Community.
Known to members of community by its Pima name, shegoi, creosote has traditionally been used in herbal teas, healing balms and even to cure ailments in animals, said Belen Stoneman, spiritual healer at Gila River’s Aji Spa at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort.
“My mother would keep shegoi in an old pickle jar,” said Stoneman, who grew up in the community and worked as a massage therapist and a cultural
LittleMissMatched to open children’s retail store
New York — LittleMissMatched, the children’s gift, apparel and home accessories company that grew from the idea of selling socks in odd numbers that don’t match, is opening a store in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The company partnered with IT’SUGAR, a candy store, to create a destination where “fashion fuses with fun.”
“We have always seen a synergy between LittleMissMatched and candy as our colors and patterns are responsive to the sweet treat.
Americasmart University—Strengthening Business Across the Industry—Exclusively Here
Atlanta, GA—AmericasMart University (AMU) takes center stage this July as the industry’s premier educational program, offering buyers at the 2009 International Gift & Home Furnishings and Area Rug Markets a comprehensive schedule of renowned business classes.
Gourmet Housewares Show® Expects Innovative Companies From Around the World
White Plains, NY — The 2009 Gourmet Housewares Show® expects unique international first timers and varied sorts of US based exhibitors to take part in the August 8-10 Show in San Francisco. With new, smaller companies joining the ranks of large corporations, the show is sure to please retailers with great price points for every pocket. As the Show approaches, the mounting energy reflects attitudes of retailers and exhibitors alike.
Warner’s Card and Gift Shop to celebrate silver anniversary
Portsmouth, NH — Happy birthday to you! Warner’s Card and Gift Shop turns 25 years old July 15 and this venerable downtown store just keeps on going.
“My mother bought this store when we moved here from Pennsylvania,” said owner Robert Wyrick. “She ran it until five years ago, when my wife Kathy and I bought it.”
Not to worry; mom is still there as is Linda Marshall, sales associate, who has been at Warner’s since the beginning.
Many retailers bullish on July 4 weekend
Despite the recession and a mostly rainy and cool June, area retailers’ economic forecasts are not all doom and gloom.
Nancy Kyle, president and CEO of the Retail Merchant’s Association of New Hampshire, said sales are “all over the place” among member businesses.
“Some retailers are barely hanging on while others are doing better than last year,” she said. “There is no rhyme or reason to it.”
Kyle said tourism-based retailers and other business reported slow sales during Laconia Motorcycle Week, a circumstance likely due to the rainy weather more than anything else.
Pa. florist crafts pet-safe bouquets, gift baskets
Pittsburgh, PA—Everyone who walks through the door to Kerry S. Kennedy’s shop is greeted by a dog named Lucy, because the florist is “pet friendly” in more ways than one.
The 30-pound black and tan dog never misses a day’s work at K. S. Kennedy Distinctive Floral, Gift and Gourmet in Pittsburgh.
Lucy’s breeding and background are a bit hazy because Kennedy rescued her from an abusive owner four years ago.
Wedding planners pair up to save on costs; Two entrepreneurs share space but run separate businesses in Chicago
Two years ago, two 20-something Chicagoans, Kara Underwood and Kirstin Martin, didn’t know it, but they both were dreaming of the same thing. They each wanted to run their own company specializing in wedding planning. And they each came to it in their own way.
Underwood had worked as a corporate party planner for some of the top law firms in town, so she knew the vendors, she knew how to handle clients and she knew how to make a party swing. Martin, on the other hand, was trained as a big-league business accountant.
Holiday shopping will be early this year, Christmas tree e-retailer says
For Thomas Harman, whose BalsamHill.com retail site depends entirely on Christmas, the holiday shopping season is basically over by Dec. 10. And the shopping season for every retailer will be earlier this year than last year, he advises.
“Retailers will find this year that the Christmas shopping season will come a bit earlier,” says, attributing a later than usual season last year to public fixation on the 2008 presidential election. “Last year the presidential campaigns kept Christmas out of the news until after the election,” Harman says.
What’s New, Now—Showrooms, Product Lines Debut at Americasmart this July
Atlanta, GA — AmericasMart’s Building 1 Home product resources continue to grow with the addition of nine new exhibitors opening showrooms on Floors 11, 12 and 13 at the July Market. These showrooms will offer buyers nearly 27,000 square feet of new products, ranging from designer furniture to lighting and wall decor.
The exhibitors marking their AmericasMart permanent showroom debut bring additional international style to the market with products manufactured around the globe and designs inspired by various cultures.
Laura Ashley Signs Licensing Deal with Trimcraft
Fort Mill, SC — Laura Ashley, Inc. announces licensing rights have been granted to Trimcraft to manufacture a collection of scrapbooking products including printed-paper, coordinating embellishments and tools.
Beginning fall 2009, the Laura Ashley collection will be available to select craft and mass retailers and will feature a range of contemporary and classic prints.
“Laura Ashley® is widely recognized for fashion and home furnishings rich with pattern, texture and fresh colours.
100+ Companies Will Showcase Affordable, On-Trend Products at Summer Market
White Plains, NY — Over 100 new companies – many offering price-sensitive lines and eco-friendly products – will join the New York International Gift Fair®’s (NYIGF®) Personal Accessories featuring Details® this summer, infusing the show with fresh new resources. Of the division’s total 365 exhibitors, 65 are located withinDetails, a special showcase of contemporary and specialty boutique-quality personal accessories.
“The great majority – approximately 95% – of the division’s newcomers represent companies making their NYIGF debut.
Safety Store Provides Solace For Expectant Moms
Indianapolis, IN — Keeping children safe is not easy job, and it’s not cheap, requiring supervision and the right equipment.
A unique central Indiana store hopes to help new parents get prepared for what’s to come and save money in the process, 6News’ Julie Pursley reported.
Expectant mother Genevieve Murray is about to move into a new home next week, and she’s thinking about what she needs to buy to keep her new baby safe when he or she arrives in November.
“Safety gates, because I have two dogs, and monitors,” she said.
The Riley Hospital Safety Store is the first childr
Local treats make national debut
Anyone who watches the television talk show The Rachael Ray Show looks forward to seeing what the host will hand out to her audience as the snack of the day. On July 2, one local business in Carencro will have one of their most popular products featured on the show as the snack of the day.
Nanny’s Candy Company in Carencro is home to many sweet treats.
Businesses snatching up storefronts in downtown Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs, Colorado — Heather Finley has found a new home for her Glenwood Springs business, Passion for Picnics.
After spending the past two years on Market Street at the Glenwood Meadows Shopping Center, Finley recently moved to a cozy location on Grand Avenue. She was able to move her entire store in one weekend and opened for business on June 1.
“It just took us a few days,” she said.
Columbia receives national recognition for entrepreneurial climate
Columbia, Missouri — Local business owners and professors know one reason why Columbia attracts so many new businesses: The city’s higher education system provides the business community with invaluable advantages.
Ceramic figures are among the gift items for sale at Peggy’s Gifts, owned by Peggy Hurst. The store opened Dec.
Midwest-CBK to Host Colonial Candle 100th Anniversary Celebrations in Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Seattle Summer Markets
Cannon Falls, MN – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer of the Colonial Candle®, Seasons of Cannon Falls® and CBK brands, announces it will celebrate Colonial Candle’s 100th anniversary by hosting celebrations for independent retailers at the upcoming Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Seattle summer markets:
Dallas: Friday, June 26, 2009; from 3 to 7 p.m.; in the World Trade Center, Suite 407
Atlanta: Friday, July 10, 2009, from 3 to 7 p.m.; in AmericasMart Building One, Suite 16A7
Ethan Allen Design Center to Open in September at Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV—Home furnishings industry icon Ethan Allen will open its Ethan Allen Design Center at Las Vegas Design Center in September. It will be the company’s first foray into a true design center. The opening of the new concept Design Center, operated by the 77-year-old industry leader, will correspond with the September 2009 Las Vegas Market.
Who Killed Small-Business Credit Card Protection?
Often, when legislation dies on the Senate floor, you know who did it in. But when Senator Mary Landrieu, Democrat of Louisiana and chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee, tried, and failed, to get new consumer credit card protections extended to small businesses last month, the perpetrator — or perpetrators — left no fingerprints. In fact, there’s no agreement on what precisely happened, or why. The Congressional Record is ambiguous.
Is Entrepreneurship Really That Easy?
Today, I received an e-mail message from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation announcing White House support for the Kauffman Foundation-New Economy Initiative to revitalize Detroit.