museums&MORE Spring 2016

All-American Add-Ons

Boost your add-on sales with these U.S.-made products

Art of the Old West

Museum and on-site greeting card operation makes for unique gift shop experience

Barry Levenson

Founder & Curator Barry LevensonNational Mustard MuseumMiddleton, Wisconsin MM: What do you enjoy most about your job? I love to see people laughing with us, enjoying themselves in an improb... more

Editor’s Letter: The Great Paper Chase

When I was growing up, Take Your Daughter To Work Day was something of an anticipatory holiday. My mom worked in hospital administration, and every year the hospital had a book fair that simultaneousl... more

High-Tech Play

As technology advances, toys follow

Ingrid Diaz

Retail Manager Ingrid DiazAquarium RestaurantNashville, Tennessee MM: Where are you from originally? I am from Ecuador. The standard of living is the main reason I came to U.S.MM: What attracted yo... more

Laura Firestone

Manager/Buyer Laura FirestoneAkron Art MuseumAkron, Ohio Q: What is your retail background?  I’ve been the Shop Manager/Buyer at the Akron Art Museum Shop since 2007. Q: What was the draw ... more

Manager’s Corner: Shawne Sheldon, Washington Park Zoo

Volunteering at the local zoo has blossomed into a career for Shawne Sheldon. Ten years ago, Sheldon began volunteering her time at the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City, Indiana, which, at that ti... more

Rounding Up

Curious Cub Gift Shop a proud part of Rosamond Gifford Zoo's mission

Shawne Sheldon

Retail Manager Shawne SheldonWashington Park ZooMichigan City, Indiana Q: What's the most unusual question a customer has ever asked? We are not strangers to unusual questions. One that comes t... more

Sweet Retreat

Plenty of specialty candies are out there, if you know where to look

Tommy Brown

Retail manager and Buyer Tommy BrownSaint Louis ZooSt. Louis Tommy Brown has worked for theme parks, department stores and, for the past 13 years, at a major zoo in the Midwest. There's nothing in ... more