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INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 07, 2009

Bloomsberry & Co. Premium Dark & Milk Chocolate Bars Provide Consumers the Opportunity to Fight Global Warming

Salem, MA – With Earth Day right around the corner, discerning consumers know they can help the environment and eat their chocolate too when purchasing the all-natural premium Climate Change Chocolate™ bars. The bars, the first of their kind to support the fight against global warming, have already helped to offset more than 80,000 days of carbon emissions since launching in 2008.

Climate Change Chocolate™ was created in partnership between Bloomsberry & Co., best known for its premium chocolate and award-winning packaging and TerraPass, Inc.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 07, 2009

What green can mean for a retailer’s image

Retailers are facing multiple challenges in light of today’s tightening economy. Energy costs are skyrocketing, with commercial electricity prices rising more than 80 percent since 2000. Even so, today’s rates don’t fully reflect the recent cost increases for the underlying commodities (primarily coal and natural gas). Soon enough, however, utilities will have to pass on the cost burden to energy consumers — and with nearly 900,000 locations, U.S.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 06, 2009

Pharmacy sets the ‘pace’ in heart of Nichols

In the center of the small town of Nichols, at 118 South Main Street, across the street from the fire station, stands Pace’s Pharmacy. A.B. “Butch” Pace Jr. said his father, A.B. “Burney” Pace Sr., opened the store in 1936. Like his father, Pace graduated from the University of South Carolina Pharmacy School and joined the family business in 1967.

He and his wife, Jeanette, continue to work part-time, after selling the store about a year ago.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 06, 2009

The true value of pounds and sense

When thirtysomethings tire of London they move to Brighton, where they wear expensive Japanese denim and talk in an accent just this side of Michael Caine.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 06, 2009

Great coffee and reasonably priced home decor at New London’s Familiar Grounds

A great cup of coffee, reasonably priced home décor and jewelry for every age are found at Familiar Grounds.

Probably the best way to enjoy this shop is to indulge in one of the specialty drinks of the day and then wander about the large selection of varied merchandise hand picked by owner Beth Hutchison.

Freshly roasted beans are the base for the large selection of coffee drinks at this New London gathering place. Besides the drink items on menu, the friendly staff will create customer requested concoctions and serve them with a smile.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 06, 2009

Teeny Tiny People Greeting Cards Announces Participation in The National Stationary Show 2009

Teeny Tiny People has confirmed its participation in the British Pavilion at the National Stationary Show, running 17-20 May 2009, at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York. This show will mark the debut appearance of British designed Teeny Tiny People cards in the USA.

After enormous success in the UK, Teeny Tiny People is launching its hilarious and unique designs in the USA. The cards feature a village of quirky Victorian dolls, getting up to all sorts of hilarious antics. The photo images are coupled with witty captions, guaranteed to amuse anyone with a quirky sense of humor.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 06, 2009

Nova Brings Signature Jon Gilmore Style to Newest Lighting Designs Set to Debut During Spring ’09 High Point Market

Huntington Park, CA – NOVA acquired Jon Gilmore Designs, Inc in 2007 as part of a full-scale expansion plan. Now Creative Director for NOVA, Jon Gilmore is bringing the same rich dimensionality and bold lines found in his popular wall art and accent furniture collection to new lighting designs.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 06, 2009

Big, little guys get a chance if we balance our buying

Cinda Baxter has gotten tons of support since the veteran consultant and onetime retailer launched a March offensive in support of locally owned merchants.

Baxter and her cohorts at the 3/50 Project urge us at www.the350project.org to pick three independent retailers and spend $50 apiece on them for starters. Times are tough.

Consumer spending amounts to about 70 percent of our economic output.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 06, 2009

Paper House Productions is Nominated for Three Louie Awards

Saugerties, NY – The Greeting Card Association just released the list of finalists for the 21st Annual LOUIE Awards. Paper House Productions is nominated for three awards in the following card categories:

  • Christmas / Holiday / Seasonal ($3 & below)
  • Easter ($3 & Below)
  • Valentine’s Day ($3 & below)

The nominated cards are Snowman (Christmas / Holiday / Seasonal), Spring Potted Flowers (Easter) and Lucky in Love (Valentine’s Day). Each card has a beautiful four color greeting inside that relates the outside card image with its personal sentiment.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 06, 2009

Shop Green in Style with Reisenthel Bags, Carriers and Carts

Shopping green has never been easier with the vast selection of re-usable bags, carriers and carts from Reisenthel, the award-winning company that been helping Europeans eco-shop for decades. There is a product for every shopping occasion, large and small, both planned and impromptu.

The mini maxi ladyshopper is new twist on the take along reusable bag with its drop oval shape. The new bag folds up into its own storage pouch which becomes a zipper pocket for small items. A magnetic closure keeps all in place. Capacity: 22 lbs.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 05, 2009

The gift of thrift

It was a Louis Vuitton purse. A woman walked into the Hoboken University Medical Center Auxiliary Thrift Shop on Garden Street last week and hung on the rack a slightly weathered but authentic Louis Vuitton purse. One of the devoted volunteer staffers keenly spotted the purse in the background.

“Bring it up here,” said volunteer Margo Guglielimelli.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 04, 2009

New Aptos store, Outside-In Kids, born of the recession

Aptos — Sure, there’s a recession, but locally owned business are adapting to survive.

Take, for example, John and Jerri Hammond, owners of Outside-In Home in the Aptos Center.

When they saw the recession bite into sales at their sister store, Outside-In Kitchen, after 13 years, they came up with a creative solution.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 03, 2009

Good Times Roll On Inside Grand Central

Grand Central Terminal is a curious kind of threshold — rooted in Midtown Manhattan, but belonging as much to the suburbs as it does to the city.

When the hordes from the north spill into the terminal, the seal of transportation is still unbroken by city air.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 03, 2009

NYC Mayor Proclaims August 14-20 “Home Textiles Market Week”

White Plains, NY — New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has declared August 14-20 as “Home Textiles Market Week” in New York City.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 02, 2009

As Eco-Seals Proliferate, So Do Doubts

It’s too easy to be green.

Recently, Kevin Owsley went searching for a reputable organization that could validate the eco-friendly traits of his company’s carpet-cleaning fluid. But after canvassing a dozen competing groups hawking so-called “green certification” services — including one online outfit that awarded him an instant green diploma, no questions asked — he grew disillusioned about how meaningful any endorsement would be to his customers.

“If you want green certification bad enough, you can get it,” says Mr.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 02, 2009

August 2009 – Denver Merchandise Mart

The Denver Merchandise Mart will hold its Gift, Home, Jewelry and Resort Show August 13-18 for permanent showrooms and August 15-17 for temporary exhibitors.  Information about the Denver Show is available at DenverMart.com.  

For the second year, the Denver Gift Show will coincide with the Denver Apparel & Accessory Market held at the Mart August 14-17.  This unique opportunity will offer buyers a wider variety of merchandise categories with approximately 100 ladies and children’s apparel and accessory showrooms open during that market.   

The Denver Gift, Home, Jewelry and

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 02, 2009

Spring Hollow Invites Kids, Parents Outdoors

Fort Collins, CO – If you build it, they will play. And if you add sand and water, then they—meaning kids—are sure to play longer.

Sprig Hollow, the latest eco-toy line from Sprig, encourages preschoolers to scoop, pour, fill, plant and most importantly, get outside and play with Mom and Dad. The new collection of multi-piece play sets includes Bee & Butterfly’s Farm, Dune Bug’s Farm Truck and Dragonfly’s Heli-Scoopter.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 02, 2009

Boston Gift Show Announces 2009 Pride of New England Award Winners

Atlanta, GA – The Boston Gift Show has announced four winners for the 4th annual Pride of New England Awards, a coveted honor that recognizes New England retailers for outstanding customer service, creative merchandising, community involvement and demonstration of New England pride.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 01, 2009

Design Notebook: Eclectic accents at outlet prices

For many people, visiting San Luis Obispo’s Apple Farm isn’t just about the cuisine — it’s also about perusing the three-level gift shop overflowing with décor and collectibles.

But the savvy bargain shopper knows the best deals can be found a few blocks down from the restaurant, at the Apple Farm Outlet.

No, you can’t get a scone there. And with just a handful of open hours each week, it’s not always easy to get to.

INDUSTRY NEWS | Apr 01, 2009

Store donates its stock to Habitat ReStore

The plugs will be pulled this week at Simpson’s Lighting, but the closing of the South End store will be a financial bright spot for Habitat for Humanity.

Owner Vernon Simpson is giving all his unsold stock to Habitat’s ReStore program, rather than deal with a liquidator. The city’s two ReStores, which are open to the public, will sell the merchandise to pay for construction of affordable housing in Charlotte.

“I’m amazed at how much stuff is still in the store,” said Tim Murphy, donations manager for the ReStores.

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