Museums and More

Editor’s Letter: Role Reversal

While it would be nice if I could fly around the country and visit each and every store we feature in this magazine, unfortunately, that's just not in the budget. But once in awhile I get the chance to see a store in person and experience it for myself, as was the case with Fiddle Sticks Toys in The Children's Museum of Houston. I was traveling to Houston on unrelated business and planned a visit to the museum - 90,000 square feet of interactive bilingual exhibits with a 1,000-square-foot gift shop filled with everything from puppets and puzzles to shirts and stuffed snakes. I took a few minutes to walk around before entering the museum itself and took note of the items I saw - a good mixture of product for both young and old. With a step out the door and a turn to…  » Read more

---

Artist Spotlight: Sunburst Companies

From bracelets to badges, this family-owned company makes the medal that they peddle By Abby HeugelManaging Editor For more than 40 years, Sunburst Companies in Providence, R.I. has kept things in the family and the country - literally. With around 50 employees, they're proud to say that all their products - resort jewelry, gifts, souvenirs, pocket pieces, name programs, customs, educational and trendy accessories, etc.- are and always have been made in the U.S. In fact, Owner Donna Fantozzi said they try very hard to go out of their way to support Rhode Island first, New England and the U.S. for any supplies they do not make themselves. "With so many temptations to source ourselves out of the country, we stood tough during very high and low times and kept finding products and ways to stay here in the U.S.," Fantozzi said. "Overseas and other…  » Read more

---

Under the Sea

Large or small, aquarium stores can make waves with creative solutions Forget dolphin T-shirts. Savvy shoppers of all ages flock to aquarium gift shops large and small to find one-of-a-kind, show-stopping gifts. Today's shops carry such a diverse and unique selection that many shoppers make a special trip to purchase something without even entering the aquarium itself. Small space, big visionWith a touch tank, an aquatic nursery and an exploration center for children, the 76-year-old Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (CMA) in San Pedro, Calif. is a popular destination for families and school trips. "In the spring, we have up to 25 school buses a day visiting our aquarium," said Jean Steinmetz, manager of CMA Gift Shop. "We send letters to all the teachers offering them Treasure Bags ($5) and aquarium T-shirts ($10) for students to pre-order through their classrooms before they come to visit. We sell…  » Read more

---

Touch the Merchandise

Educational toys and games get customer thinking-and spending By Abby HeugelManaging Editor Most children don't like shopping because they're usually told not to touch anything the second they walk in a store. What fun is that? Smart retailers know to turn the store into a place to come for fun, and when those toys and games are educational as well, parents are more willing to spend money. "Educational toys and games are a vital part of healthy child development and most parents are looking for more than just the latest hyped toy," said Randy Compton, CEO of Think-a-lot Toys. "Although they may buy the latest trendy toys or games for a quick ‘hit,' they actually prefer what's really good for their kids over the long haul, and this means games and toys that engage the brain, the heart and even the soul." Play ValueChristine Osborne,…  » Read more

---

Sales—stat!

Hospital gift shops continue to evolve with the times To be successful in today's competitive retail landscape, hospital gift shops must continue to evolve based on the demands of the consumer and in support of the hospital's mission. Lori's Gifts, a hospital gift shop management firm, has 30 years of experience with hospital gift shops and currently manage 245 shops in 33 states. They've had steady growth by opening on average 20 new gift shops each year exclusively in hospitals. "Our hospital administrators recognize that the gift shop operation is a direct reflection of the hospital," said Kim Schuler, CEO of Lori's Gifts. "If it's not a professionally run gift shop, then the first impression may not be positive since the gift shop is located in the front lobby entrance." Schuler joined Lori's in 1999 after spending a decade at Hallmark Cards, Inc. working directly…  » Read more

---

Fiddle Sticks Toys

Can your mind come out to play? When is a museum gift shop more than just a museum gift shop? When it's a bilingual shopping adventure at Fiddle Sticks Toys in the Children's Museum of Houston, or if you prefer, the Museo de niños en Houston. Serving more than 850,000 people annually, the Children's Museum of Houston is the highest-attended youth museum for its size in the country. It's dedicated to transforming communities through innovative, child-centered learning and offers 14 galleries of hands-on exhibits and innovative bilingual learning programs for kids of all ages. "Our visitors reflect the broad ethnic and socio economic diversity of Houston," said Tammie Kahn, CMH executive director. "There is no other place like it here in Texas or in the country." Exhibit ExperienceThose high standards are carried over into the 1,000-square-foot gift shop, as Connie Schnupp, director of retail operations…  » Read more

---

A Three-Step Guide to Employee Reviews

Introducing & Managing Employee Reviews with No Extra Budget Small retailers have so much on their to-do list that it appears to never end. The list goes on and on and on without an end in sight. Between monthly inventory, weekly goals and daily tasks, retailers are pressed for time. Let's not forget the strict budgets we face each month. Throw in the challenges of employee management and your to-do list nearly breaks from the weight. To even think about introducing employee reviews to your to-do list seems unrealistic, time intensive and budget constricting. Or is it? Setting up an employee review program takes dedication and organization. But beyond that, it's fairly simple and low in cost - if not entirely free. The rewards can greatly benefit your overall work environment and strengthen employee performance, so the time involved is often equaled by time saved…  » Read more

---