It seems that it is about time you were introduced to Jeff, co-owner, husband and father of Sabrina. Next time I mention him in my blog, use this photo as a reference.
Fun times!!
Saturday, July 25, 2015
My First Photo on My Blog
It seems that it is about time you were introduced to Jeff, co-owner, husband and father of Sabrina. Next time I mention him in my blog, use this photo as a reference.
Fun times!!
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Thanks for 23 Years of Sweet Tooth!!
Wow!! I have to say that this blog has now reached 10,125 page views! When Sabrina said to me, "Mom, you need to write a blog about the store, I thought what I hope everyone who writes a blog thinks: who will read my words?" I think I've had a few good comments and ideas and I really am thankful that people are reading what I have to say.
Now on to the coming Fall/Winter Preview.
Many of you will begin to notice that Halloween and Christmas displays will soon begin to appear in the stores. Afterall, school is back in session by mid-August. Therefore, retail has moved back the date when holiday items and displays become the next best thing to do. Afterall, a lot of this promotion is generated by shoppers looking for something new. It really is a two way street and not simply retailers reaching into people's pockets for their holiday funds.
September 1 will be the 23rd anniversary of our owning Sweet Tooth. I won't even try to describe all the changes which have taken place in those 23 years. However I can say that our first store, with its rustic, wooden look (painted hot pink by our friend Steve) and balloons hanging flat on the wall behind the candy cases is no longer what Sweet Tooth looks like, sells or values. We have evolved.
We will be one of those retailers who will have a little "Christmas in August" look. We've got some darling Santa's Reindeer figures coming to us at this very moment and frankly, we can't wait another 2 or 3 months to show them to our customers. Forgive us for tipping the scale a little early for Christmas.
Our popular display of Unemployed Philosophers will grow into a full floor tower in the fall, with all sorts of new items, including Marvel Heroes, Mr. Rogers, Planet Plates and more.
Both Kameleon and Trollbeads are releasing a great deal of promotions and new pieces beginning very soon. Even our Kameleon Holiday Trunk show will be held in October...why? because of the great Necklace and 2 new Jewelpops which will be coming out early for Christmas.
Right now we are looking into the new colors and styles of Scout tote bags which we think are the best totes on the market. I get compliments every time I take my Scout bag into a store to hold my purchases. Recently I saw 2 ladies looking at a much cheaper version of that sort of tote bag and really, I couldn't help saying to myself, "That flimsy bag will fall apart in a couple of months!" I say if you are going to spend some money, spend it on things that will last and always look good.
Ok. That's my spiel for the moment. And thanks for staying with me as I sit to write down a few thoughts.
Watch for our Peanuts Party in November...65 years of Charlie Brown.
Now on to the coming Fall/Winter Preview.
Many of you will begin to notice that Halloween and Christmas displays will soon begin to appear in the stores. Afterall, school is back in session by mid-August. Therefore, retail has moved back the date when holiday items and displays become the next best thing to do. Afterall, a lot of this promotion is generated by shoppers looking for something new. It really is a two way street and not simply retailers reaching into people's pockets for their holiday funds.
September 1 will be the 23rd anniversary of our owning Sweet Tooth. I won't even try to describe all the changes which have taken place in those 23 years. However I can say that our first store, with its rustic, wooden look (painted hot pink by our friend Steve) and balloons hanging flat on the wall behind the candy cases is no longer what Sweet Tooth looks like, sells or values. We have evolved.
We will be one of those retailers who will have a little "Christmas in August" look. We've got some darling Santa's Reindeer figures coming to us at this very moment and frankly, we can't wait another 2 or 3 months to show them to our customers. Forgive us for tipping the scale a little early for Christmas.
Our popular display of Unemployed Philosophers will grow into a full floor tower in the fall, with all sorts of new items, including Marvel Heroes, Mr. Rogers, Planet Plates and more.
Both Kameleon and Trollbeads are releasing a great deal of promotions and new pieces beginning very soon. Even our Kameleon Holiday Trunk show will be held in October...why? because of the great Necklace and 2 new Jewelpops which will be coming out early for Christmas.
Right now we are looking into the new colors and styles of Scout tote bags which we think are the best totes on the market. I get compliments every time I take my Scout bag into a store to hold my purchases. Recently I saw 2 ladies looking at a much cheaper version of that sort of tote bag and really, I couldn't help saying to myself, "That flimsy bag will fall apart in a couple of months!" I say if you are going to spend some money, spend it on things that will last and always look good.
Ok. That's my spiel for the moment. And thanks for staying with me as I sit to write down a few thoughts.
Watch for our Peanuts Party in November...65 years of Charlie Brown.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Spilling My Guts Over New Gifts & Candy
I promised a preview of some of the gift and candy items which we ordered at the Dallas Market.
First I have to say that a great majority of our sales this summer have been candy, chocolate and jewelry!! Reflecting back on Summer 2014, we had a fairly similiar track record.
And coming up to our Indoor Sidewalk Sale this Friday and Saturday (7/17 & 7/18), we anticipate that there will be customers who see lots of space in our store next week and ask,"Are you going out of business", to which we will reply, "No, just like every other retailer, we are making space for the new items coming in for the Fall and Winter."
Help us if you can, by explaining to friends and family that this is what all retailers do every summer!!
Now, as for our plans:
We have already ordered Halloween and a great deal of Christmas Candy. I am personally excited about new chocolate Santas, interesting "Coal" for those naughty ones which will turn their tongues blue and new Christmas gummis. Sabrina has already put together our picture books of Halloween and Christmas candy. You can ask to thumb through those books to see what yummies are on their way.
Gift wise: new Chala purses and totes...including a darling raccoon and a few other new animals and styles of purses and totes which are guaranteed to impress you.
How about new, cozy Snoozie houseshoes, some in bling and some in soft, soothing material which will be just the houseshoe to snuggle on your couch and watch the latest movie on Netflicks.
Of course, Candy Canes filled with chocolate are a sure-fire sell out. Don't hesitate to get yours.
OU and OSU fans will love the new jewelry, new scarves and other Booster gift items. Poor T.U....hardly anyone has a license from T.U to produce fun gift items. Talk to the Chancellor about that, you guys.
Art Scarves and Art Hearts....we just fell in love with these items from Demdaco, the manufacturer also of Embellish Your Story, Glass Fusion Plates, Screenings and Banners and a whole lot more.
Stay tuned. I'm not very good at keeping secrets so I am certain to spill my guts over what we are expecting.
First I have to say that a great majority of our sales this summer have been candy, chocolate and jewelry!! Reflecting back on Summer 2014, we had a fairly similiar track record.
And coming up to our Indoor Sidewalk Sale this Friday and Saturday (7/17 & 7/18), we anticipate that there will be customers who see lots of space in our store next week and ask,"Are you going out of business", to which we will reply, "No, just like every other retailer, we are making space for the new items coming in for the Fall and Winter."
Help us if you can, by explaining to friends and family that this is what all retailers do every summer!!
Now, as for our plans:
We have already ordered Halloween and a great deal of Christmas Candy. I am personally excited about new chocolate Santas, interesting "Coal" for those naughty ones which will turn their tongues blue and new Christmas gummis. Sabrina has already put together our picture books of Halloween and Christmas candy. You can ask to thumb through those books to see what yummies are on their way.
Gift wise: new Chala purses and totes...including a darling raccoon and a few other new animals and styles of purses and totes which are guaranteed to impress you.
How about new, cozy Snoozie houseshoes, some in bling and some in soft, soothing material which will be just the houseshoe to snuggle on your couch and watch the latest movie on Netflicks.
Of course, Candy Canes filled with chocolate are a sure-fire sell out. Don't hesitate to get yours.
OU and OSU fans will love the new jewelry, new scarves and other Booster gift items. Poor T.U....hardly anyone has a license from T.U to produce fun gift items. Talk to the Chancellor about that, you guys.
Art Scarves and Art Hearts....we just fell in love with these items from Demdaco, the manufacturer also of Embellish Your Story, Glass Fusion Plates, Screenings and Banners and a whole lot more.
Stay tuned. I'm not very good at keeping secrets so I am certain to spill my guts over what we are expecting.
Friday, July 3, 2015
What's It Like At the Dallas Gift Market?
Perhaps you'd like to know what it is like to attend one of the major Gift Markets. We just came back from the Dallas Market and June is one of two times of the year when the entire World Trade Center and the Trade Mart are open to retailers.
Let me tell you first that the Dallas World Trade Center has 14 floors and the Trade Mart has 4 floors. Not all of these floors are showrooms for gift stores. Some have showrooms for fine jewelry, for furniture, for garden and outdoor furniture and accessories. Some have showrooms for the toy and kid markets. The top 2 floors in the Trade Mart, which is the original building, are for huge lighting companies....a beautiful walk along the aisles and aisles of lights.
So when it comes to the Gift Market, there are probably about 7 floors of showrooms and 3 floors of temporary booths.
A day at the Gift Market is fun, grueling, physically exhausting, exciting, and puzzling. Of course we are looking for new merchandise which will fit in our store, we are searching for "trends"...whatever might be new and upcoming. We ask the vendors and showroom reps all sorts of questions: What are your top 5 best sellers? How soon will these items ship? Are there any specials like discounts or free freight? Can we get a bottle of water, a Coke, a snack...we are hungry, thirsty and tired. Where is the nearest bathroom? Where is a chair I can sit down for a few minutes? What is the best time to go to the cafeteria so that we can avoid the crowds and literally no table to sit down and eat?
Over the 22 years we have attended the Dallas Market, lots has changed. Frankly, there are less people attending. The web and loss of sales reps have definitely changed the process of ordering. We are still the folks who like to look, touch, see and even sometimes smell the merchandise, so attending the Market is an absolute necessity for us.
Today I am going through the orders we placed. Next time I'll give you a preview of what you might expect to see at Sweet Tooth through the end of 2015. In the meantime, there's lots of paperwork, adjusting orders and going through catalogues to be done.
Let me tell you first that the Dallas World Trade Center has 14 floors and the Trade Mart has 4 floors. Not all of these floors are showrooms for gift stores. Some have showrooms for fine jewelry, for furniture, for garden and outdoor furniture and accessories. Some have showrooms for the toy and kid markets. The top 2 floors in the Trade Mart, which is the original building, are for huge lighting companies....a beautiful walk along the aisles and aisles of lights.
So when it comes to the Gift Market, there are probably about 7 floors of showrooms and 3 floors of temporary booths.
A day at the Gift Market is fun, grueling, physically exhausting, exciting, and puzzling. Of course we are looking for new merchandise which will fit in our store, we are searching for "trends"...whatever might be new and upcoming. We ask the vendors and showroom reps all sorts of questions: What are your top 5 best sellers? How soon will these items ship? Are there any specials like discounts or free freight? Can we get a bottle of water, a Coke, a snack...we are hungry, thirsty and tired. Where is the nearest bathroom? Where is a chair I can sit down for a few minutes? What is the best time to go to the cafeteria so that we can avoid the crowds and literally no table to sit down and eat?
Over the 22 years we have attended the Dallas Market, lots has changed. Frankly, there are less people attending. The web and loss of sales reps have definitely changed the process of ordering. We are still the folks who like to look, touch, see and even sometimes smell the merchandise, so attending the Market is an absolute necessity for us.
Today I am going through the orders we placed. Next time I'll give you a preview of what you might expect to see at Sweet Tooth through the end of 2015. In the meantime, there's lots of paperwork, adjusting orders and going through catalogues to be done.
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