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Home Decor Store Opens on Eagle Street
North Adams – There’s one word patrons to the new A & M Home Decor have been using since the store had its soft opening a week ago.
“I keep hearing the word ‘unique,’ which is exactly what I’m looking for,” said owner and operator Alan Richards at the Eagle Street store on Thursday.
“The style is pretty diverse and that’s the way I want to keep it. I don’t want to get stuck on one theme,” Richards added.
A & M, whose grand opening was scheduled this weekend, hopes to be a destination store for locals who are looking to find that truly perfect gift.
Retailer has to shift gears
Greendale – After more than a decade of playing in the big leagues of mall retail, Craig Runkel is trying to stay in business by becoming a little guy.
Runkel owns Runkel Bros. American Garage, a small shop at Southridge Mall, where he sells products that appeal to auto buffs and NASCAR enthusiasts: clothing, wall signs, die-cast cars and logo accessories.
He has a “going out of business” sign on the storefront, but he hopes to stay if he can persuade the mall to reduce his rent – which he says is now about $12,000 a month – to an amount that he can afford to pay.
E-commerce sales rise 19% last year in U.S.
Online retail sales continued to far outpace overall retail sales in the U.S. last year, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports. Retail e-commerce sales grew 19% to $136.4 billion, up from $114.62 billion in 2006, as overall retail sales increased 4%, it says.
Retail e-commerce also accounted for a rising percentage of total U.S.
For cool gifts, visit museum shops inside-the-perimeter
T-shirts, mugs and books are staples of museum shops, but you can find so much more.
These 10 shops inside the Perimeter offer unexpectedly wacky, fun or elegant items for gift-giving — or for yourself.
High Museum of Art
As expected of an art museum, the High Museum’s shop is high-class.
From the Eiffel Tower purse ($280) to one-of-a-kind clocks made out of antique cameras ($150-$250), to “High-tini” glasses that include a recipe ($13.95), this is the place for elegant gifts.
If your budget’s a bit slimmer, it also has Italian marbles, swirling with color ($2.50 each
Chinatown shop puts ‘Old World’ into ours
To speak with Chinatown retailers Michael Bennett and Daniel Poulin is to learn in equal measure about commerce and community, “them” and “us.”
On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the launch of their Peking Lounge furniture and furnishings store on East Pender, the two men last week reviewed what they now know that they didn’t know in the beginning.
They now know that historic Chinatown is much missed by those of us who remember when.
They know that more and more of us are asking that the additions to our interior spaces demonstrate more story than style.
They know that some
Disabled workers find comfort with job
Schenectady — A mental disability can be the loneliest place of all.
It can be so isolating that Emily Friedman looks forward to just exchanging casual hellos.
“Being around people is really a nice thing,” she said. “At this point for me right now, it’s very special.” Friedman has just moved into her own apartment in Schenectady. Although she is finally living independently, the little moments when she gets to interact with someone are now precious.
So she volunteered to run Innovations, the Schenectady Museum’s gift shop on the Jay Street walkway.
GV Arts & Crafts Festival offers unique gifts
A wide array of arts and crafts by some of Green Valley’s most talented artisans will be on display and for sale Friday and Saturday, March 7-8 at The Green Valley Arts & Crafts Festival 2008 at the West Center.
The festival, sponsored by the Green Valley Arts & Crafts Association runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Village Walk residents can find gifts galore at new Country Store
Village Walk’s Town Center Ballroom is transformed into the Country Store each month.
Inside the ballroom, the community’s artists, jewelry designers and crafters take over by selling their creations.
“They’re all our residents,” said Elaine Rumble, Village Walk’s activities director.
Proposed law would mandate minimum two-year life on gift cards
Columbus, Ohio — People who misplace gift cards or don’t use them right away would not have to worry about them expiring for two years under a bill that would require that minimum life for the cards.
The measure, which passed the Senate in June, also would prevent retailers from charging fees that reduce the value of the cards during that time.
Sen.
Spending Flat as Inflation Persists
Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of gross domestic product, was flat in January for the second month in a row, when adjusted for inflation, the Commerce Department said on Friday. Other reports showed a decline in consumer confidence and diminished business activity in the Midwest.
Investors absorbed the economic data and pushed stocks lower on negative news from the American International Group, Dell and Sprint Nextel.
The Dow Jones industrials closed down 315.79, or 2.5 percent.
Roman Inc. Is Very Engaged in the Wedding Market
Well established as the country’s most important resource for Christian and Christmas merchandise, Roman, Inc. is successfully wooing the wedding market with a wide range of related products.
High on the list is the “Language of Love” series of giftware and accessories designed by Gina Freehill. It includes the ornament “Our first Christmas Together.” Suggested Retail: $9.00. Also in the line is a Vertical/Horizontal Photo Frame that holds a 5″x7″photo.
Joyce Kesler Named Executive Vice President And General Manager of Farcountries.com
NEW YORK, NY – Joyce E. Kesler has been named to head FarCountries.com, the leading online wholesaler of giftware and home accent products. Kesler has worked for the company since 2000 and has been deeply involved in all aspects of the company’sdevelopment with specific emphasis on sourcing distinctivemerchandise.
National Stationery Show Expands Best New Product Competition to Include Think Green Categories
White Plains, NY – Seven New England retailers – each exemplifying outstanding customer service, creative merchandising and dedication to their community – have been named finalists for the 2008 Pride of New England Awards. Presented each spring by the Boston Gift Show, the coveted Awards celebrate both exceptional business practices and demonstration of New England pride.
GiftLogic now able to integrate with QuickBooks Accounting
Englewood, FL – Merry Mechanization, Inc., the creators of GiftLogic, have released a new version of their POS software, and it includes what customers and prospects have been asking about. The latest enhancement to the product is QuickBooks Accounting integration with the click of one button.
The new version of the software now makes it easier than ever to send information directly to QuickBooks Accounting at the end of each day.
Manual Woodworkers & Weavers Inc. Introduces Ebony Art Closet
Hendersonville, NC – Manual Woodworkers & Weavers, Inc. introduces Ebony Art Closet, the company’s first African American home decor catalog.
Recognizing a rising demand for African American products, Manual took the initiative to create relevant and inspirational home decor pieces designed by today’s most prominent and influential artists in the black community.
Mary Phillips Designs Presents the Cafe Mug Collection
RALEIGH, NC – Calling all coffee, tea and hot chocolate aficionados!
Little Star Soup Serves Up Seven New Paper Tableware Sets
New York, NY – Little Star Soup, a Brooklyn Heights based Illustration & Design Studio is happy to announce that they’ve licensed seven new paper tableware collections with Creative Converting ceg4party.com.
Danielson Designs Offers Personalized Gifts for Moms, Dads and Grads
Trinidad, Colo. – Spring is in the air and with Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and graduation right around the corner, shoppers are looking for just the right gift to celebrate the special people in their lives. But it’s not always easy to find the perfect gift for every person on every occasion.
“For busy people like me, it’s hard to find the time and creative energy to find unique, personalized gifts for the people we love. And sometimes it’s hard to find the right words to express our feelings about those people in a card or note,” says Annie Danielson, co-owner of Danielson Designs.
30,000-square-foot Ranch Crowder Bros. store opens
Lakewood Ranch — Known as quirky and helpful, Crowder Bros.-Ace Hardware has been a Bradenton tradition since 1955. Now the tradition has come east.
The company recently opened a 30,000-square-foot store at Lakewood Ranch, where it sells its diverse offerings, everything from home-made fudge, to Vera Bradley purses, stainless steel fasteners and plumbing fixtures.
Crowder Bros.-Ace Hardware represents two worlds under one roof. A traditional hardware store takes up the majority of the space.
New business returns man to his roots
Dale Gurganus has returned to a corner where he has spent much of his life.
He and his wife, Debbie, have opened Tropical Paradise Woodworking, which features handcrafted Adirondack, outdoor and custom furniture and a gift shop. The business is located at the intersection of U.S. 64 business and Old Carriage Road, near the EP Shell station.
“I was born and raised on this corner,” Gurganus said.