Oct 24, 2007
Valpo gift shop feels the squeezeBy Carrie NapoleonPost-Trib.com

Valparaiso — Competition from big-box retailers and Internet shopping has hit a decades-old downtown specialty gift shop.Diane and Bill Cooley plan to close their American Legacy gift shop in downtown Valparaiso on Dec. 31.

For 20 years the eclectic shop has been purveying specialty gifts and candies, candles, handbags and furniture.

“It’s strictly a business decision,” said Diane Cooley, who reflected on the changes in the industry that prompted their choice.

The advent of big-box retailers and online shopping has made once hard-to-find items accessible and inexpensive.

Cooley said independent specialty retailers are victims of their own success.

For years shops like hers have promoted small, independent manufacturers and helped them to build their brands.

Read complete article.




Social Connections


📣 Meet our speakers! 📣The Garden Center Show, presented by Lawn & Garden Retailer, is excited to announce our Keynote Speakers! 📣 Michelle Sherrier: Owner of MC Design Academy and host of The Retail Whore Podcast📣 Tim Quebedeaux: Owner of RetailKPI and Service Provider for The Garden Center GroupBe sure to check them out, along with our full, FREE conference schedule for The Garden Center Show, Aug. 6-7 in Rosemont, IL.🔗 Register for FREE: LGRMag.com/GCSRegister🌐 Learn more: www.gardencentershow.com🚌 Bus tour info: lgrmag.com/LGRBusTour#GCS24 #GardenCenterShow #GardenEvents #InPersonEvent #Networking #RetailStrategies #SpecialtyRetailers #GardenCenter #Conference #speaker #keynotespeaker ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Gift Shop Plus Winter 2024
Get one year of Gift Shop Plus in both print and digital editions for just $16.

Interested in reading the print edition of Gift Shop Plus?

Subscribe Today »

website development by deyo designs