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Call it tail-wagging retailing
In one of Greenville’s newest eateries, the gourmet goodies in the bakery case are reserved for those with four legs.
But dogs as well as their owners can sit down and enjoy a treat inside The Barkery Bistro at 118 N. Main St.
The offering of doggy treats is part of the unique flavor Diane Ludwig and her daughter Meghan Ludwig chose for their blend of an upscale dog boutique and gift shop.
However, the shop isn’t limited to owners of pets that bark. The Barkery Bistro also has items geared toward those that meow.
Queen for a day: Silverhill woman strikes gold at Silver Basket
Robertsdale, Ala. — Yvonne “D’Von” Henry says she hasn’t won anything for a while. No contests, drawings, nothing.
“I got a call saying I’d won, and I could not believe it,” said Henry.
What Henry won was the May drawing at the Silver Basket gift store in Robertsdale. GayNell Palmisano, the store’s owner says she instituted the promotion to get people in the area to “know and appreciate shopping in their home town.” The store ran a gasoline promotion in April.
“I am glad it was somebody local who won,” said Palmisano.
Gift shop expands to bridal and apparel boutique
Anissa Andazola and her mother, Molly, moved to the Gila Valley and opened a gift shop in February 2006. A year after opening, they saw a need for formal wear and expanded their shop into a bridal and apparel boutique.
Gowns Gifts-N-More now offers high-quality wedding gowns and bridal accessories, such as shoes, veils, hoop skirts, petticoats, gloves and jewelry. Also sold at the store is formal wear for women (including plus sizes), children and infants.
Pillowcasegram opens PA location
Pillowcasegram & Other Things announces the June 12 opening of its new store at 3 W. Main Street, North East, Pa.
The 1,800 square-foot retail store will carry fabrics, books, and notions that are especially focused on custom-made pillowcases, home decorating, and fashion. Pillowcasegram will carry fabrics for quilting; however, quilting will not be their main focus.
With two other quilting stores nearby, Lesley Rackowski thought that her store could be set apart by offering more fabrics for home decorating and fashion.
Jeffre Scott answer to quest for aesthetics
What is it with women and beauty items? The older we get and the more a brand promises, the more likely we are to buy it.
Haven’t we all gone to CVS or Tarjay (that’s Target for those completely out of the loop) to pick up a prescription or some milk and come out spending at least $40 on miscellaneous items?
Blowing into town
Three-year-old Maggie Jones might not be old enough to help her dad Chris blow glass into art, but she’s turning into quite the sales girl.
“She already sold a $30 pendant,” said Maggie’s mother Jennifer. “She’s my helper.”
Chris and Jennifer Jones of Richland recently opened Fantome Glass, a glassblowing and gift gallery in downtown Kennewick.
The Joneses are hoping a growing interest in glassblowing lessons will translate into a long-standing business.
Seasonal shop stays busy year-round
Dollar Bay — Some seasonal shops across the Upper Peninsula are forced to close during months when tourism slows. However, one shop in the Keweenaw found a way to supplement tourism profits.
Orders are pouring into Keweenaw Gem & Gift as fast as the staff can fill them.
“Our Petoskey polishing kits—we can never make enough of those,” said employee Kay DeForge. “We’ve made about 700 so far.”
The retail store on Memorial Road in Houghton is fairly popular in summer months. However, it’s the wholesale orders that bring in the money.
TDC Downtown Plaza celebrates with Fashion and Drama!
Basseterre, St. Kitts – TDC Downtown Plaza’s first floor tenants celebrated their 1st anniversary of doing business from the location yesterday (June 19th) with an afternoon fashion show in the heart of downtown Basseterre.
The store owners used fashion and drama to showcase their wares, giving locals and visitors alike a taste of what the individual stores had to offer.
Carlton Springate, a local radio personality started the event with give-aways that included discounts on items and gift vouchers from the participating stores.
Babies in Stilettos? It’s Heelarious!
“Put on your high-heel sneakers, child/ Wear your wig-hat on your head/ Ya know you’re looking mighty fine, baby/ I’m pretty sure you’re gonna knock ’em dead.”
Tommy Tucker’s hit song resonated with fashion-conscious teenie boppers across America in 1964, but these days the height of infantile madness is “Heelarious.”
It’s high heels for babies. And in the two weeks since they hit the market, the shoes are selling like “wildfire” in 22 US states and overseas, according to co-creators Britta Bacon and Hayden Porter.
GHTA announces Sixth Annual Conference to be held in Sanibel Island, FL
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.: The Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA) announced its 6th Annual Conference will be held in Sanibel Island, Florida, Nov. 20-22, 2008.
The Pink Door reopens in Milford
If you haven’t visited The Pink Door in downtown Milford lately — or ever — consider stopping in and seeing the changes the place now has to offer.
After closing up shop for a few weeks recently, The Pink Door has reopened with an expanded selection of merchandise.
Small Tykes Get Big Attention During Summer Las Vegas Market
(LAS VEGAS) — The juvenile product category is increasingly important to home furnishings dealers and designers, with little kids playing a big part in controlling their parents’ spending and shopping habits.
World Market Center Las Vegas has big plans for the juvenile category during the July 2008 Las Vegas Market, July 28-Aug. 1, including an exclusive educational program offering, a chance to learn about new research and the first-ever “Vegas Kids for Grownups” Cocktail Reception.
Fashionable food: This is not dessert
Jenni Bowman’s frosted cupcakes, cream tarts and chocolate truffles look luscious enough to eat.
But don’t take a bite.
These culinary creations are for decoration, not dessert.
The products Bowman, a Lehi native, designs may not satisfy a sugar craving, but they are sweetening up homes around the country and delighting some impressive customers.
Last December, about six months after the faux food designer started her company – Jenni B. Originals – she was a guest on Martha Stewart’s television show.
Gift and toy retailer to open in city
It sells a range of bizarre and amusing items ranging from Henry, a talking gnome, to egg laying rubber chickens.
Now expanding gift and toy retailer Hawkin’s Bazaar is set to open its first store in Yorkshire – in the heart of York.
A spokesman said the shop will open in High Ousegate at the beginning of September, with posters to go up in the window nearer the time to recruit members of staff.
He said Hawkin’s Bazaar offered a unique and extensive range of unusual toys, gifts, gadgets and curiosities.
Bet on Midwest: New showroom for LVM
(Cannon Falls, MN) – Midwest, leading designer and manufacturer of the Seasons of Cannon Falls brand of holiday and seasonal home accents, premium Colonial Candle brand of candles and Delight brand of accents to brighten the home, announces the opening of its new 11,000 square foot showroom in the popular Las Vegas World Market Center for the July 28 through Aug.
The Perfect Accessories for the Perfect Day
EL CAJON, CALIF. — Since their debut into the gift industry in 2002, Annaleece by DeVries has grown at a phenomenal pace. In just five years the company has become known for its high quality fashion jewelry and commitment to creating timeless designs; a philosophy that fits well within the gift industry. Jewelry is a popular gift for any occasion, particularly the spring and summer wedding seasons.
Bridal sales have always been a substantial portion of Annaleece’s revenue.
Annaleece Introduces Nearly 50 New Items
EL CAJON, CALIF. — This June, Annaleece is expanding their collection, introducing 29 jewelry items, ten additional Handbags and four 100% Thai Silk Scarves.
New jewelry items include Swarovski crystal necklaces, earrings, and bracelets in a variety of finishes and styles. Four new designs for their popular Sea Treasures sub-collection, expands this collection to 24 items.
Key West Aloe Launches Go Aloe Children’s Line
KEY WEST, Fla. – Key West Aloe has introduced its Go Aloe line, the company’s first-ever aloe-based products for children. Like Key West Aloe’s other products, which use pure, pharmaceutical-quality, highly concentrated aloe gel as their base ingredient, the children’s line is designed to care for young skin in fragrances little ones will love.
The Go Aloe line includes a bath gel and a shampoo/conditioner, both with 20 percent aloe; a glittery hand-and-body lotion with 50 percent aloe and Vitamin E; a hair detangling spray; and a 94 percent aloe hydrating mist.
Design Ideas Contracts with Brandwise for SalesOptimizer Software
Springfield, IL — Design Ideas, a well-known manufacturer of innovative home and office accessories, announced their recent agreement with Lakewood, Colorado-based Brandwise, to implement a sophisticated web-based business intelligence tool, designed to enable access to hard-to-get key data and insightful analysis any time, from any location.
“Design Ideas was looking for a proven system that could increase both sales and inventory efficiency while providing a substantial ROI,” says Sarah Bjelland, national sales manager for Design Ideas.
Recycling the past at new shop, Re-Enhabit
Portsmouth — Re-Enhabit opened downtown on June 11, and it’s one unique store. There is no other store like it in the city.
As the company’s card says, “Come rediscover the fun and appeal of vintage, new, upcycled and hand-crafted items.” Inventory includes resurrected home furnishings, accessories, clothing and jewelry.
“I’m having a blast,” said owner Jodie Curtis. “We’re all about recycling, re-use and up-cycling. I want us to ‘re-habit’ what we already have on this planet, and have fun at the same time.”