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Ballpoint pens, and so much more; Promotional Products help drive sales
The Internet may be all the buzz in the marketing world, but traditional advertising methods — even the time-honoured coffee mugs and ballpoint pens bearing company logos — are far from obsolete, says the promotional products industry.
And some of these handout goods, says Kurt Reckziegel, chief executive of the Professional Products Association of Canada, can even help companies bridge the gap between traditional advertising and new media.
“People have to have some physical feely-touchy.” Mr.
Where are the Webkinz? Toy craze hits Asheville
Asheville — If you haven’t heard of Webkinz, you probably don’t hang with many 6- to 13-year-olds. Webkinz are the hottest toy no one can find, making these plush stuffed animals worth more than a cheap tank of gas, and just as rare.
Last week’s hot tip on the local mommy network was that a few Webkinz were left at the St. Joseph’s gift shop at Mission Hospitals. Because of the shop’s not-for-profit status, media liaison Merrell Gregory was “unable to confirm or deny” whether or not the store sells Webkinz.
Small town nurtures crop of new businesses
Pine Island — When Helen Distad launched her chocolate business two years ago, she wanted to base it in her hometown of Pine Island.
But the owner of My Heart’s Design found it was more economical to rent commercial kitchen space from Rochester’s Kahler Grand Hotel.
Now her dream of a retail shop in Pine Island is about to come true. Distad plans to expand her business and open a retail store Wednesday in a shop on Main Street.
Mom to Enjoy Royal Treatment This Year, According to NRF; Consumers are Expected to Spend Almost $16 Billion
Washington – This Mother’s Day, consumers plan to spend $15.73 billion as they shower the women in their lives with jewelry, flowers, clothing, and even trips to the spa. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2007 Mother’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGresearch, consumers are expected to spend an average of $139.14 on the holiday compared to last year’s $122.16.
The study found that the majority of consumers plan to celebrate (84.5%) this year.
A special place in the heart; Store specializes in mastectomy bras
After Julie DeNardi bought Greta’s Flair Lingerie three years ago, she began noticing the number of inquiries she was getting from women with mastectomies. Their choice of lingerie was limited and often matronly. DeNardi decided that had to change.
She poured her finances into buying beautiful underwear especially for breast cancer survivors, but it was a long, hard wait until customers could get coverage under OHIP’s assistive devices program.
La De Da opening new store
At a time when many small shops are closing their doors because of competition from mass retailers, a small women’s boutique in downtown Roanoke is expanding its enterprise.
La De Da, an eclectic women’s clothing and accessories boutique on Market Street, plans to open a shop in downtown Harrisonburg this month.
Owner Carole Hughes opened La De Da in Roanoke 13 years ago, but she has noticed Harrisonburg’s growth potential, particularly with many people moving there from Northern Virginia.
“I feel like Harrisonburg is extremely up and coming,” she said.
Roseville gift store’s owner says the smoke is making her sick, but moving may be very costly
Lu Winslow owns and operates an exclusive Roseville gift shop, which means she sells you things you want but don’t necessarily need.
“My average customers are middle-aged grandmas.
Second store in the works at River Shores; Specialty food and gift shop prepping for May opening
Peter Koehn, owner of KP Construction, completes a measurement for a suspended ceiling installation at the construction site for Savoring Thyme, a new gourmet food, home and garden supply shop at the River Shores urban redevelopment site. The new store, owned by West Bend resident Jeanne Renick, is the second retail business set to open at the high-profile redevelopment of the West Bend Co. site downtown.
Just two weeks ago, Imagine Coffeehouse and Catering Co.
Community North adds shops and restaurants to entice visitors, patients and workers
They are not turning into shopping malls, but retailing is finding a niche along with rest, recovery and recuperation at Community Hospital North.
The Northeastside hospital’s $170 million expansion — which opens for patients Monday — includes an expanded retail and restaurant lineup, including a flower/gift shop, a boutique of patient supplies and a Starbucks.
Community North, at I-465 and 82nd Street, draws patients from Fishers, Carmel, Geist and much of the North and East sides of Indianapolis.
It isn’t alone in beefing up the commercial aspect of health care.
“It definitely i
GolfARTGiclee showing Golf Note Cards at Stationery Show First Time
GolfARTGiclee, of Coppell, TX will exhibiting is unique and distinctive golf note card lines for the first time at the National Stationery Show in New York, May 20-23 at the Jacob Javits Convention, Booth 2975. GolfARTGiclee.com, a division of Canal Interiors Inc. is excited to premier its fine line of golf note cards to the greeting and note card industry and welcomes all stationery retailers and press to view their products during the show.
OneCoast Expands Representation of Beatriz Ball
OneCoast, the largest and only national provider of sales and marketing services to vendors and retailers of home decor, gift and collegiate products, has announced that its sales team now represents Beatriz Ball Collection in 50 states. Beatriz Ball, a finalist in the 18th Annual ARTs Awards, is a designer and manufacturer of fine handmade metal ware.
“Beatriz Ball has built a wonderful company that hand produces beautifully designed metal products in her factory in Mexico,” said Ted Teele, CEO of OneCoast.
Farcountries.com Announces The Arrival of North American Bear
New York – Plush toys that inspire the imagination, stimulate creative play and provide comfort for all ages, describe the whimsical world of the North American Bear Company. North American Bear is noted for its contemporary approach to plush toys. Their combination of unusual colors, fabrics patterns and textures reflects its commitment to designing soft toys and accessories for all ages and all occasions. Each of the company’s four separate divisions highlights a different design concept and appeal.
For Baby:
Zoobies Selected as Finalist for 2007 JPMA Innovation Awards Competition
Zoobies was started by two young brothers who wanted to produce something “new, innovative; and extremely cuddly; something that would be both fun for kids and handy for parents at home and on the road.” The patented Zoobies concept is the only plush animal concept out there that turns into both a pillow and blanket. After designing 12 animals for the brand new 2007 Safari Collection and unveiling them at the 2007 TIA Toy Fair in New York, they realized they were on to something big.
Downtown look, upscale tastes; Owner of Clifton Park Center is luring innovative stores to remake shopping complex
Clifton Park — The two owners of Mochalisa’s, a new coffee shop at Clifton Park Center, were pretty happy about their first full day of operation on Tuesday. Only a few hours into their day, they already had a meeting room full of salespeople who were fueling their sales techniques with cups of Mochalisa coffee.
When moving to their new location, Mochalisa owners Jeff Lescinsky and Michael Serianni decided to include the meeting room — which can be rented by the hour — a wine bar and other attributes not often seen at similar bistros.
New downtown shop offers gourmet greatness
For fans of high-end food and gifts, Mawby’s has a lot to offer. Just ask owner Chris Perry.
“It’s so difficult to describe, short of a book, what’s in here,” said Perry from within his downtown “Gourmet Luxury Lifestyle” shop on Barnard Street, which opened March 19. “People would ask me, ‘What’s Mawby’s going to be?’ I used to dread the question. There are so many unusual products. There’s so much going on in the store, it’s difficult to distill it into a short answer.”
For starters, Mawby’s boasts gourmet food that customers can order for carry-out eating.
St. Albans woman’s love turns her hobby into a successful business
Betty Ghazi began selling dolls in a small glass case near the cash register of her husband’s St. Albans restaurant.
They were part of her own massive doll collection, and parting with those few “just about broke my heart,” Ghazi said.
But it was sort of an experiment, and the dolls went like hot cakes.
Ghazi’s new store, Chillers Gift Shop — which shares a name with her husband’s restaurant — opened a year ago in the Riverwalk Plaza in South Charleston.
“I’ve always thought if you do what you love, you’ll be successful,” Ghazi said.
She loves dolls.
The basement in her St.
Planet Dog Foundation Contributes to Help a Hero
Portland, ME – In response to the courage exhibited by a hero seriously injured while saving a dog’s life, the Planet Dog Foundation and corporate partner Planet Dog, have contributed $3,500 towards Michael Keenan’s medical expenses and helped to share his heroic story with the world. Truly dogs’ best friend, Michael Keenan was pet-sitting for a longtime friend when a fire broke outin the San Francisco apartment building on Feb 6, 2007. Michael escaped, but ran back into the blaze to save Bobby, a Jack RussellTerrier, from the burning building, sustaining severe injuries in his heroic act.
Miss Eula’s stays unique
It doesn’t look like anything special, tucked in the Geyer’s plaza near a martial arts academy, a laundromat and a pharmacy.
And Miss Eula won’t actually greet you when you walk into Miss Eula’s Cupboard, but owner Rhonda Hiser said jaws have been known to drop when folks come in and see what the gift and home decor store has to offer.
A Change on Main: Tollett
Tollett’s Gifts, a fixture on Nashville Main Street for over half a century, is changing hands but the new owners vow to continue the legacy of excellent customer service established by the former owners.
Dale and Melinda Bennett have purchased Tollett’s Gifts which was owned by Jimmie Jean White of Nashville and family members of the late Billy White and Jimmie Jean White. Randy White of Nashville has managed the business for the past six years.
“I have a lot of respect for Jimmie Jean and I want her to be proud of what we do,” Melinda Bennett said.
Passion for Him: An Inspirational Jewelry Collection for Spiritual Women
Minneapolis, MN – Noted jewelry artist Barbara Ray signs with Passion 4 Fashion, the jewelry division of Coyne’s & Company as their newest addition. Ray who is widely celebrated as a gifted creator of inspirational jewelry insists she is not a designer but rather is an interpreter of Scripture – converting aselect verse from words to colors.