News

Gift Shop Promotes Chinese Culture

Waterloo, ONT - When Amy Diao goes to work in her gift shop in Uptown Waterloo, she dons a traditional Chinese costume."I wear it everyday because I want to show our culture and traditions," Diao... more »

Downtown Asheville Merchants Pleased with Strong Holiday Sales

Asheville, NC - Sometimes in retail, running out of merchandise is a good sign."Our season was excellent — good traffic throughout and substantial increases over last year and over 2009," said Dean Peterson, general manager... more »

Real Deals in Springville — But Only Two Days a Week

Springville, UT - In a beautiful old Victorian home on the corner of 100 East and 200 South in Springville, there is a successful family business that is only open two days a week. The... more »

Fabulous Beach Girls Boutique Sells to Customers Who Want to Have Fun, Wear Something New

Fort Myers Beach, FL - Talking shop with Ivy Levinson, owner of The Fabulous Beach Girls Boutique on Fort Myers Beach."I call it a mom store. It's not a mom and pop store," said Levinson.... more »

Owner of The Rebecca Collection in Bernardsville Goes the ‘Extra Step’

Bernardsville, NJ - Sharon Markowitz always calls out a greeting to people after they enter her boutique, The Rebecca Collection, which offers assorted merchandise on four levels.The welcome, she said, lets potential customers know that... more »

Small Retailers Say They’re Feeling Optimistic Again

Charlotte, NC - Many small retailers in Charlotte are looking back at 2011 with satisfaction, as the worst of the recession seemed to fade and sales rebounded or held steady.They're also cautiously optimistic about what's... more »

Blackwood Woman Caters to ‘Friendlier’ People with Candy Shop

Goucester Township, NJ - It was at a funeral, of all places, when Pat Mahoney McLeod decided to get into the candy business."I was sitting there thinking when I die, I don't want people to... more »

Social Media Spurred Sales for Independent Retailers in 2011

Detroit, MI - Cheryl and Karen Daskas, owners of the upscale Tender boutique in Birmingham, Mich., were trying to find a way to draw their social-media friends into the store this year.So they created an... more »

Personalized Embroidery Drives Growth of Northfield Gift Shop

Northfiield, NJ - By the Sea Embroidery & Gifts has twice outgrown its location during its eight years in business, said owner Rosemary Schafer, of Ventnor. Its new shop in London Square Mall on Tilton... more »

News Nearby: New Boutique Opens

Upper St. Clair, PA - A few weeks ago, Premier Boutique opened its doors to the Peters Township community selling luxury items made of alpaca.The shop occupies the space where Maggie's Hardware used to be—on... more »