Archives: News
Wedded Bliss: The First Ten makes worldwide debut at NSS
(Miami, Florida) – Wedded Bliss, The First Ten is the ultimate engagement, bridal shower, wedding, anniversary or Valentine’s Day gift. This first-of-its kind couple’s journal is used to document events and memories through the first ten years of marriage, yet, it is so much more than just a keepsake book!
Jewels Girls Love to Wear – Back-to-School Collection!
Fair Lawn, NJ — High IntenCity unveils a new Jewels Girls Love to Wear collection. The signature line of glass-beaded, Swarovski crystal memory wire choker and bracelet sets remain a favorite amongst little ladies and chic tweens everywhere. Driven by style, quality and variety, Jewels Girls Love to Wear continues to introduce fresh collections; from classic to trendy.
The new back-to-school collection takes shape with bright neon colors, heart icons, and a peace, love and green theme.
NSS ‘Operation Caring Connection’ yields 2.5 tons for US Troops
WHITE PLAINS, NY — Countless United States soldiers will soon find themselves with new communication tools, thanks in large part to a collection effort during the 2008 National Stationery Show (NSS).
Operation Caring Connection, a NSS initiative that encourages exhibitors to donate social stationery, notecards, journals and writing instruments, collected nearly 2.5 tons of product valued at approximately $20,000.
High fuel costs helping small-town businesses, pinching distant malls
Thomasville, Ala. – Residents in once-sleepy Thomasville have started complaining about traffic jams on Route 43, which runs right through the town.
Much of the new traffic is coming from shoppers, squeezed by $4-per-gallon gas, who are staying closer to home instead of driving 100 miles each way to the nearest malls in Mobile or Montgomery.
Retail sales shot up for a second month
Flush with rebate checks that didn’t get entirely eaten up by gas, food and credit card bills, shoppers boosted the nation’s retail sales for the second month in a row, ringing in a 4.3 percent increase in June, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers.
While it was the biggest overall jump in same-store sales since March 2007, many analysts and retailers suspect that government’s stimulus program has run its course, and that a grim back-to-school shopping season looms.
Couple continues to add to businesses on the Midland Trail
Chimney Corner, W.Va. – When Jim Campbell drove to a Beckwith store in his black and silver Shelby Mustang, Scott MacGregor couldn’t help but notice.
“Nice car,” he said to the store’s owner. The owner replied, “That’s Jim Campbell, and he’s building a restaurant.”
That chance meeting led to MacGregor’s hiring as executive chef at the Chimney Corner Cafe, Campbell’s new restaurant. Campbell had considered cooking for the restaurant himself. “But [MacGregor] is bringing my vision for the restaurant to a new level,” he said.
Prairie Dog launches “Cake Towels”; Look Good Enough to Eat
IRVINE, Calif. – Is it a cup cake, a parfait or an entire window of bakery goods?
No. They are the Le Patissier line of ‘cake towels’ recently introduced to the United States by Prairie Dog America, Inc., a textile and interior furnishings company based in Irvine, California.
As beautiful as they are useful, the Le Patissier line of towels are made of 100% all-natural cotton, and created by designer Tadayoshi Iwaki. Prairie Dog America, Inc., is a subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Prairie Dog Co.
Main St. stays a step ahead of recession
Amesbury, MA – As the economy continues to sputter, retailers across the country are hunkering down for a long hot summer.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that in May, Americans spent $384 billion on everything from flat screen TV’s to flip flops. Although that may sound like a lot of cash, it’s actually a meager 1 percent increase from April, and the forecasts for consumer spending for the rest of the season aren’t encouraging.
Everywhere, people are tightening up their personal budgets, trimming out the extras so they can pay for the essentials like gas and groceries.
Baby gift shop opens doors
Maryland – A new shop opened its doors two week ago in Historic Ellicott City, and it just might get you to forget your worries. At the very least, a visit to Little Sunshine Trading Company will bring out more than a few expressions of “isn’t that cute.”
The store, located on Main Street opposite the intersection of Old Columbia Pike and Frederick Road, has a selection of items for babies to toddlers, which will delight, whether you are looking for a special baby gift or just that extra something for your own baby.
Small Business Is Latest Focus in Health Fight
As the number of people without health insurance continues to rise, many states and Congress have begun to focus on one of the biggest causes: the growing number of small business owners and their workers who are unable to afford coverage.
The states are taking a variety of approaches. To help ease the burden of insurance premiums that have roughly doubled since 2000, some, like Arizona, are extending tax credits to small employers that provide medical coverage.
Gift shop relocates to Downtown Square
“A little bit of everything” is what they offer at one of Kosciusko’s newest businesses around, Anticipations.
Relocating from Vaiden, the Sanders have taken on retail as a new venture for their prismatic careers.
Bradley, an agro-engineer, and Terri Lyn, a nurse, run the monogramming, baby craft, clothing and gift store on Court Square, in the former Parker’s Shoe Store location.
Terri Lyn originally started out doing baby crafts at home for friends and neighbors and continued to broaden her horizons into full fledge retail business.
Gift shops aren’t just for gifts anymore
I head to a museum for my art and culture fix, taking in the offerings — from Impressionists to Romans — and maybe even suffer a little indigestion after the unexpected special exhibit on body art. I leave a museum feeling sated, educated, and maybe even a little smug. But let’s face it; Everyone has room for a little dessert. Enter the pull of the gift shop on the way out.
Young Scientist Club Awarded Toy of the Year
Jamestown, RI – Science experiments can happen anywhere – in the kitchen, on a picnic table or in the lab. But to experiment with space, the final frontier, you need to have the right stuff. The panel of experts at the 2008 Creative Child Awards concur that The Young Scientists Club’s Magic School Bus Secrets of Space and Soaring Into Flight science kits offer a cosmic view like no other. So they named them, respectively, Toy of the Year and Preferred Choice in the Educational Science Kits category.
Cash Cache Wins 2008 Kids Product of the Year
Lake Bluff, IL — Award-winning Money Savvy Generation can bank on three new accolades from Creative Child Magazine courtesy of a national panel of 50 child experts, educators and moms who recently judged what’s savvy for today’s hi-tech generation of kids. Their choice was not one but three of Money Savvy Generation’s personal finance tools designed for elementary to high school students. The Cash Cache financial planner wowed the judges and earned the prestigious 2008 Kids Product of the Year in the Educational Products for Teens category.
Jazzy Toes wins Seal of Excellence Award
Pittsburgh, PA – Jazzy Toes, makers of baby socks that look like shoes [from wingtips to spectators!], impressed the Creative Child Awards panel of over 50 moms and child experts to earn a big toes up — the 2008 Seal of Excellence Award in the Baby Apparel category.
Creative Child Magazine hosts an annual 2-day event in Henderson, Nevada where a panel of early childhood experts are invited to participate Products are not reviewed by any one person. They are reviewed by many – the very people who purchase them.. All products are divided into categories.
Onesie Cupcake Hot out of the Oven at Baby Bunch
New York, NY – The Baby Bunch has been busy baking up a new baby gift set to compliment their popular collection. Their new line of adorable Onesie Cupcake gift sets are cleverly bundled as cupcakes and packaged in colorful see-through polka dot “bakery” boxes making them a “sweet” gift for new parents.
“We’ve been busy cooking up a fun, new product line here at Baby Bunch HQ” says Mom and Owner Bryony Boxer.
Deb & Co. Shows Support for American Troops
In support of the country and those fighting for it, Deb & Co. offers ornaments to honor friends and loved ones year-round that have risked their life to serve in the United States military.
The patriotic ornaments feature Deb & Co.’s signature Belly Bears in finely detailed ARMY, Marine, Sailor and Air Force service uniforms.
Visit Brannan during Prefair and SFIGF to shop Exclusive Lines
888 BRANNAN announces over 450 unique and exciting product lines only found here during the PreFair and summer SFIGF! Here are just a few:
Gracious Goods, Arthur Court Designs, Homelines Showroom 581
Wolf Designs, Hillhouse Naturals, The Neuwirth Company, The Collection Showroom 568
In Good Company, Marzipan, Meri Meri, Paper Alliance Showroom 561
Archipelago, Simply Be Well Organics, Kniepp, Ann Macy & Associates Showroom 580
StarHome, Classic Legacy, Epiphanies Art, Morgan & Company Showroom 534
DeNunzio offers new range of Artwork at Atlanta Gift Show
(MANCHESTER, VT) – Stop by the DeNunzio Fine Art booth (Building One, 8th floor, T04) at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Show, July 8-16, and take a look at the fresh, new artwork of beautifully framed, contemporary new art as well as timeless classics from the art masters. The new collection ranges from the latest contemporary, layered images to suit every decor to original paintings, never before released from some of Great Britain’s hottest artists.
Midwest blooms with expanded garden and oudoor living collection
(Cannon Falls, MN) – Midwest – leading designer and manufacturer of the Seasons of Cannon Falls brand of innovative holiday, home, garden and gift products – introduces six new, larger garden and outdoor living collections. The collections feature more than 130 new and exclusive functional and decorative product designs in top selling formats including pots, planters, birdbaths, birdfeeders, bird houses, garden signs and stakes, thermometers, rain gauges, statuary and fountains.