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Happy family says life is sweet at Nona’s; 3 women find joy in creating confections that make customers smile
Celebrate Family, Friends and Traditions, read the words painted above a photo display at Nona’s Sweets.
Those words capture the spirit that motivates Jo-Ann “Nona” Morlando and her family.
“Money keeps the door open,” says daughter Dominica Clementi, “but the joy we get is from baking every day and being friends with our customers.”
This week before Easter is a particularly busy time at Nona’s Sweets. The small shop on North Tryon Street is packed with scores of traditional holiday pastries, cookies and candies.
Companies discover MySpace marketing
Jeff Nielsen, owner of Island Bicycle Co., has 936 friends.
That number is not a reflection of his personal popularity but of his marketing savvy. Not all of his friends are customers, but they might be, something Nielsen plans gradually to take to the bank.
The island cycle shop is one of dozens of local businesses taking advantage of the social networking site MySpace to promote products and services and reach out to potential customers.
“It’s an enormous marketing tool,” Nielsen said. “It’s not just for kids.
Get Your Goat
It’s not every day that you meet someone who owns a goat farm. It’s even less frequently that you meet someone who not only raises goats, but milks them and hand-crafts goat milk products.
Yet that’s exactly what Kim Mash, of Chickenmash Farm, does. And her gift shop in Grove City is the perfect place to display her wares.
Mash hand-milks the goats twice a day and makes the goat-milk soap sold in the store from scratch. But it’s not just your run-of-the-mill soap.
Gladys Wise back with Skipper’s, a Whitemarsh landmark
Skipper’s is making a comeback.
Actually, the retail business owned by Gladys Wise that was a landmark on Whitemarsh Island for a couple decades has been back since late last fall, but its grand reopening is scheduled for mid-April.
Fun, functional gifts abound at Dilly-Dally
The newest addition to retail offerings in downtown Hudson opens today in a popular spot tucked under Elan and Knoke’s Confections. Named for its location, Dilly-Dally in the Alley is an expansion of Elan, a clothing boutique on Locust Street.
Sandee Madigan opened Elan in July 2000. In 2005 she introduced men’s clothing.
During the 2006 Christmas holiday season, she opened a gift section in the location formerly occupied by Alley Jax.
“It was a trial run,” said Madigan.
Uncertainty forcing Wyoming gift shop to close
WYOMING – One year after buying Fancy This gift shop on Wyoming Avenue Melissa Kadish found out she was going to have a fourth child.
Her son Cooper’s birth announcement was painted on the windows of the shop, and Cooper came with his mom to work every day until preschool; it was there that Cooper became a “community baby,” Kadish said, laughing.
“I definitely did not think it would be possible to have a fourth child and keep it going, but he came in here with me,” said the Wyoming resident.
It’s memories like these that Kadish said makes the store special.
The Wyoming location of F
Trieste offers unique expressions for the home; Store at West Glen has gifts from $1 to $10,000
Trieste is a city in Italy, and it’s also the name of Diane Young’s home decorating store in the West Glen Town Center.
Young established Trieste (pronounced Tree-est) in February 2006. The shop is a compilation of furniture, decorating accessories, jewelry, personal products, packaged gourmet foods and gift items for just about anybody on anyone’s list.
Old Town merchants say business is booming
LA QUINTA – Despite a delayed opening in December that had some Phase II Old Town merchants concerned about lost sales, merchants agree business in the months since has exceeded their expectations.
Although Just Boni at Home, which sells tabletop items, missed Thanksgiving, a big day in the tabletop business, owner Boni Wall said sales since have been “excellent.”
“People are ecstatic about the fact that Old Town now is so diversified with shopping,” said the La Quinta resident.
The nine Phase II boutiques, galleries and shops offer a number of services and specialty items.
At her f
How to Recognize-and Keep-the Stars in Your Organization
Susan landed her dream job in sales. It had everything—pay, perks, reputation and challenge. She started the job with lots of energy, enthusiasm and high expectations. However, within six months she was running out of steam; in twelve months, she crashed. Susan left the company disappointed and disillusioned. What happened?
From small businesses to major corporations, executives throughout the world have either witnessed or experienced the damages associated with employee turnover.
DEMDACO Reintroduces Chocolate Berries for Spring 2007
Stilwell, Kansas – DEMDACO is reintroducing their casual luxury tableware pattern of Chocolate Berries this spring due to its popular demand. Artist Deb Hrabik has added coordinating iron accent pieces to the original hand-painted stoneware and earthenware embellished with berries and meandering vines design. To view the entire Chocolate Berries collection of stoneware and iron accent pieces please visit demdaco.com.
DEMDACO is a design driven company specializing in everyday and holiday gifts, casual luxury tableware and home accents.
Mud Pie Introduces New Line of Children’s Furniture
Mud Pie’s Princess Collection continues to be the company’s best selling children’s collection. This year, the firm has introduced several new pieces of furniture – perfectly sized and decorated for a little princess.
Introductions include a footstool, rocking chair, desk with chair, and vanity with bench. Each is constructed of wood, with hand-painted spindle legs, and decorated with the Perfectly Princess crown pattern. Crown-shaped cutouts accent the chairs, desk and footstool.
Boston Gift Show Announces 2007 Pride of New England Award Honorees
White Plains, NY – The Boston Gift Show has announced six honorees for the 2nd annual Pride of New England Awards, a coveted honor that recognizes New England retailers for excellence in customer service, creative merchandising and community involvement.
Kinetic sculptures a creative outlet
While sailing and windsurfing several years ago, Dunbarton artist Ted Johnson fell in love with the wind. “I love the power of the wind. It puts the fear of God in you,” he said.
His love for the wind soon led to the birth of a business called Windscapes. For seven years, Johnson, who is in his mid-50s, has been designing and selling kinetic sculptures. His latest sculptures are made of bronze rods and copper pieces; one features a yellow crystal.
Retailers seek boost from Easter sales
Local and national retailers are hoping to cash in on consumers buying clothes, candy and other items for Easter. The National Retail Federation estimates U.S. consumers will spend $14.37 billion on Easter, up from the $12.63 billion spent in 2006. Easter is April 8 this year.
Central El Paso resident Delfina Glenn, 27, will spend about $100 on Easter.
NEOCO – World’s Trade Fair – Returns to the Merchandise Mart, June 11-13, 2007
Chicago – The contract furnishing industry’s premier event and North America’s largest conference and exhibition of contract furnishings for the design and management of the built environment, NeoCon World’s Trade Fair, returns to Chicago’s Merchandise Mart June 11-13, 2007.
Artist Kate McRostie to Unveil Over 50 New Paintings at Surtex
Wilmington, NC – Kate McRostie DesignWorks, Inc. announced today that Kate McRostie will introduce over 50 new designs for license at Surtex 2007, May 20-22nd, Hall 1E booth 2240, in New York City.
Westside gift shop offers more options for spiritualists
Walking into Earth Gifts, one is greeted by the soft aroma of Sandalwood incense, calm new age music and smiling faces. Every wall in the store is covered in colorful fabrics or bookcases or ornaments.
Blue Tulip Creating Niche for Rich
A new kind of gift store is sprouting up across North Jersey, and it’s changing the competitive landscape for local merchants.
Blue Tulip is a five-year-old chain that wants to be the ultimate gift-giving and special-occasions destination for time-strapped working women and stroller moms.
The “gift solutions” concept has been tried by an online retailer – RedEnvelope Inc.
Justices to Review Limits on Retail Prices
Bargain hunters everywhere have an unwitting patron saint they’ve probably never heard of. His name is Dr. Miles. His days may be numbered.
It is because of Dr. Miles that anyone who has ever watched “The Price Is Right” knows that the manufacturer’s retail price is only suggested.
Adora Highlights Additions to its 2007 Cradle Baby Collection
Edison, NJ – Adora, Inc., a leading designer and crafter of fine limited edition and collectible dolls, has once again expanded its Cradle Baby Program for 2007. Adora introduces another face sculpt and three new gowns featuring baby animals. Doll lovers can now select from 17 variations of a newborn 20″ baby including four ethnicities.
Part of the Name Your Own Baby Collection, the Cradle Baby Program provides an opportunity for children of all races to own a “baby” in their likeness.