May 22, 2014
The Store Next Door Offers Western-Style GiftsBy Melissa LoweryEmporiaGazette.com

Emporia, KS – Ernie Tafoya, longtime owner of Balloons by Ernie, is reinventing his business after helium prices let the air out of his balloon shop.

After years of creating balloon arches and bouquets for special events, and astounding children by placing stuffed animals inside balloons, Tafoya has converted his retail space at 321 Commercial St. into The Store Next Door, a shop specializing in Western-themed gifts and decor.

“I decided to call it The Store Next Door because people would ask me where I was in relation to Balloons by Ernie, and I’d tell them ‘I’m at the store next door’,” Tafoya said.

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This year’s outlook is just peachy.The Pantone Color Institute named Peach Fuzz (PANTONE 13-1023) its 2024 Color of the Year, and the hue is already permeating retail. Here we present the latest products adorned in the peachy hue, as well as four complementary hues selected by Pantone for 2024. Read the Spring 2024 Trend Report here: giftshopmag.com/article/spring-2024-trend-report-peach-fuzz-and-its-supporting-cast/📸: Photo courtesy of Mud Pie. ... See MoreSee Less
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