I wanted to take a few moments to say HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our friends who shop at Sweet Tooth. It is always an uplifting experience to see some of our customers become "regulars".
This past season, we had quite a few people voluntarily say that they love to shop at Sweet Tooth and they appreciate our effort to keep them posted on what is new and what is on sale, etc. etc.
Those words of praise are never said too often and we are grateful to hear them.
Welcome aboard to the Dundee Darby family....Jelly Bean or Smee as I like to call her...Sabrina's new rescued cat. Smee will add a lot of energy and bunches of fun stories to our lives.
New cat, new year. What more can we ask for? So, see you around the corner in 2016. Let us know what we can do for
you and we will do our very best to make things happen at Sweet Tooth.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Friday, December 25, 2015
Some Observations About The Holiday Season
Here are some observations about the month of December and holiday shopping.
First, we need to give a salute to our staff who throughout the month were in good spirits, were exceedingly helpful to our customers, who worked as a team and provided just the right enthusiasm and spirit to our store.
We are grateful for our 2 temporary staff, Matt and Olivia who jumped right in and "got 'er done".
Second, I have got to emphasize how much we enjoy our customers. Many were complimentary to the store and to the people who work there. Our customers really do make Sweet Tooth "Our Happy Place".
One observation is the number of new customers who come to Sweet Tooth at this time of the year. Some are reommended by friends, some tell us that they have driven past our store for years and finally decided to stop in.
Some let us know that they only shop at Sweet Tooth once a year. :( That observation is one we would like to change and believe me, it occasionally slips out of my mouth, as I put my hand to my heart, when I have to reply: "Don't tell me that! Let's try for more than once a year."
Every year for the past 23 years we have worked steadily to let our customers know that seasonal candy is ordered at least 6 months ahead of the season and there are no opportunities for re-orders. What we receive at the beginning of the season is all that we will have.
Why is that? Manufacturers of candy and gift items have to begin early to produce their items so that retailers will have them on time.
And let's face it....no one wants to over-produce and have tons of seasonal candy or gifts left after the holiday.
So those folks who think that waiting until a few days before the holiday will guarantee them "freshness" and an abundance of holiday candy and gifts are just not "with it". Buying early is the only way to assure that what customers want for the holiday, they will have.
And let's not tell us folks at Sweet Tooth that after shopping Target and Walmart, some decided to check and see if Sweet Tooth has the candy they are seeking. Sweet Tooth keeps the store year around at 70 degrees to insure freshness and longevity of the candy. Please ask Target and Walmart whether their stores are kept at a temperature to insure freshness and whether their staff knows a thing or two about what is in the candy or where the German chocolates are.
As for special orders ...don't even count on the big box stores for that.
Sweet Tooth owes it reputation to our staff over the years and our ability to respond to customers. And we owe our success to all those loyal customers and friends we have met along the way. Many thanks to each of you and a healthy, happy, and successful New Year.
First, we need to give a salute to our staff who throughout the month were in good spirits, were exceedingly helpful to our customers, who worked as a team and provided just the right enthusiasm and spirit to our store.
We are grateful for our 2 temporary staff, Matt and Olivia who jumped right in and "got 'er done".
Second, I have got to emphasize how much we enjoy our customers. Many were complimentary to the store and to the people who work there. Our customers really do make Sweet Tooth "Our Happy Place".
One observation is the number of new customers who come to Sweet Tooth at this time of the year. Some are reommended by friends, some tell us that they have driven past our store for years and finally decided to stop in.
Some let us know that they only shop at Sweet Tooth once a year. :( That observation is one we would like to change and believe me, it occasionally slips out of my mouth, as I put my hand to my heart, when I have to reply: "Don't tell me that! Let's try for more than once a year."
Every year for the past 23 years we have worked steadily to let our customers know that seasonal candy is ordered at least 6 months ahead of the season and there are no opportunities for re-orders. What we receive at the beginning of the season is all that we will have.
Why is that? Manufacturers of candy and gift items have to begin early to produce their items so that retailers will have them on time.
And let's face it....no one wants to over-produce and have tons of seasonal candy or gifts left after the holiday.
So those folks who think that waiting until a few days before the holiday will guarantee them "freshness" and an abundance of holiday candy and gifts are just not "with it". Buying early is the only way to assure that what customers want for the holiday, they will have.
And let's not tell us folks at Sweet Tooth that after shopping Target and Walmart, some decided to check and see if Sweet Tooth has the candy they are seeking. Sweet Tooth keeps the store year around at 70 degrees to insure freshness and longevity of the candy. Please ask Target and Walmart whether their stores are kept at a temperature to insure freshness and whether their staff knows a thing or two about what is in the candy or where the German chocolates are.
As for special orders ...don't even count on the big box stores for that.
Sweet Tooth owes it reputation to our staff over the years and our ability to respond to customers. And we owe our success to all those loyal customers and friends we have met along the way. Many thanks to each of you and a healthy, happy, and successful New Year.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Did You Shop Local Today?
It is almost the end of the Shop Local Day, Saturday November 28.
A number of customers who came into the store today did mention that they knew it was Shop Local day. That is heart-warming for little shop owners like us.
I want to note that the Tulsa World had an editorial today about Shopping Local. I was pleased to see that the editorial pointed out that it is the local shop owner who donates gift certificates and items to local groups for fundraising events. It is the local shop owner who flips the pancakes next to you at the church breakfast. It is the local shop owner who can talk to you about what you are thinking of buying, who can gather information on what they are selling, who knows your name when you walk in the door.
It is also the local shop owner who collects tax money which is used locally for police, fire, infrastructure, public schools, etc. etc.
Although most everyone goes on line for purchases, hopefully we all remember that online purchases do not contribute to those school fundraisers, those local silent auctions, the infrastructure of cities, etc.
So pat yourself on the back if you shopped locally today. You have really made a difference in the lives of all citizens in this area of Tulsa!!
And local merchants really really thank you for keeping our doors open.
A number of customers who came into the store today did mention that they knew it was Shop Local day. That is heart-warming for little shop owners like us.
I want to note that the Tulsa World had an editorial today about Shopping Local. I was pleased to see that the editorial pointed out that it is the local shop owner who donates gift certificates and items to local groups for fundraising events. It is the local shop owner who flips the pancakes next to you at the church breakfast. It is the local shop owner who can talk to you about what you are thinking of buying, who can gather information on what they are selling, who knows your name when you walk in the door.
It is also the local shop owner who collects tax money which is used locally for police, fire, infrastructure, public schools, etc. etc.
Although most everyone goes on line for purchases, hopefully we all remember that online purchases do not contribute to those school fundraisers, those local silent auctions, the infrastructure of cities, etc.
So pat yourself on the back if you shopped locally today. You have really made a difference in the lives of all citizens in this area of Tulsa!!
And local merchants really really thank you for keeping our doors open.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Do You Know The Old Lady on Brady??
There is a new book in town and you really need to get it!
The author of the book is Jamie M. Townsend and the beautiful book is Memoirs of the Old Lady: Tulsa's Historic Brady Theatre Tells Her Story.
Jamie is a 3rd generation native Tulsan, graduate of T.U and thoroughly devoted to the Brady Theatre. Her bio tells of the many coincidences between the Brady and her family.
The 100 year history of the Brady is a fascinating story. Jamie's book has the entire list of events which have taken place at the Brady since 1914.
The Brady has been know as Tulsa Convention Hall and Tulsa Municipal Theatre. It has been the performing space for so many different kinds of actors, singers, dancers and speakers. Truly, Tulsa is proud of the long, long history of this building and the fact that it is still alive.
Hats off to Peter Mayo for years ago buying the Old Lady and saving her from destruction.
Sweet Tooth is one of the stores in Tulsa at which you can purchase Jamie's book. Cost is $35.00 and with all the photos and information is well worth every penny.
A portion of the proceeds from the sales will benefit the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa.
We are proud to be working with Jamie on the sale of this book and we are looking forward to a special afternoon in December where we have several local artists and writers in our store to meet, greet and sign their works.
Stay tuned, folks. Let's support our local arts and our local stores.
The author of the book is Jamie M. Townsend and the beautiful book is Memoirs of the Old Lady: Tulsa's Historic Brady Theatre Tells Her Story.
Jamie is a 3rd generation native Tulsan, graduate of T.U and thoroughly devoted to the Brady Theatre. Her bio tells of the many coincidences between the Brady and her family.
The 100 year history of the Brady is a fascinating story. Jamie's book has the entire list of events which have taken place at the Brady since 1914.
The Brady has been know as Tulsa Convention Hall and Tulsa Municipal Theatre. It has been the performing space for so many different kinds of actors, singers, dancers and speakers. Truly, Tulsa is proud of the long, long history of this building and the fact that it is still alive.
Hats off to Peter Mayo for years ago buying the Old Lady and saving her from destruction.
Sweet Tooth is one of the stores in Tulsa at which you can purchase Jamie's book. Cost is $35.00 and with all the photos and information is well worth every penny.
A portion of the proceeds from the sales will benefit the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa.
We are proud to be working with Jamie on the sale of this book and we are looking forward to a special afternoon in December where we have several local artists and writers in our store to meet, greet and sign their works.
Stay tuned, folks. Let's support our local arts and our local stores.
Monday, November 9, 2015
Holly Jolly Christmas Time
What is involved in turning over our store from Fall/Halloween to Christmas Holiday gifts and candy? It would be so helpful if there were Elves who came at nighttime and with a dash of magic dust and a little scurrying around, we would find the store completely set up when we opened the doors the next day.
However, WE are the Elves and it takes a whole lot more than magic dust to get that work done.
Every year we shake our heads and wonder how everything is going to fit in the space we have. We put things up, then we move them around several times, we dust and clean, we use every little tiny bit of space available and then sometime in December we find a candy or gift item on a shelf that we have completely forgotten to put out for sale!!
It ain't easy being US and yet it is so much fun to see how beautiful or how humorous or how exciting our gift and candy items are at this time of the year.
Remember, Duck In A Hat, which I wrote about at Easter....my favorite Easter item which we have had in our store for 23 Easters?
Well, my favorite Christmas Candy Item is relatively new, but fun, yummy and just perfect for the Christmas season. It is Hammond's Chocolate Filled Peppermint Candy Cane. We predict that this Hammond candy will not last until Christmas. Once our customers discover it, they can't get enough of that wonderful treat.
Second to the Candy Cane is anything which Sweet Shop puts out for Christmas. This year Sweet Shop has been even more creative and I predict that our customers will be very excited about the decorated pretzels and the absolutely melt-in-your-mouth chocolate covered and decorated Oreos.
So here goes.
We have a number of events coming up in the store: Holiday Party, Trollbeads Party, Obsidian Jewelry Party and this year, for the first time, Santa Bob will visit our store on Sunday afternoon, November 22.
We would just be thrilled if you visited Sweet Tooth over and over during this season. Call us for times and dates.
However, WE are the Elves and it takes a whole lot more than magic dust to get that work done.
Every year we shake our heads and wonder how everything is going to fit in the space we have. We put things up, then we move them around several times, we dust and clean, we use every little tiny bit of space available and then sometime in December we find a candy or gift item on a shelf that we have completely forgotten to put out for sale!!
It ain't easy being US and yet it is so much fun to see how beautiful or how humorous or how exciting our gift and candy items are at this time of the year.
Remember, Duck In A Hat, which I wrote about at Easter....my favorite Easter item which we have had in our store for 23 Easters?
Well, my favorite Christmas Candy Item is relatively new, but fun, yummy and just perfect for the Christmas season. It is Hammond's Chocolate Filled Peppermint Candy Cane. We predict that this Hammond candy will not last until Christmas. Once our customers discover it, they can't get enough of that wonderful treat.
Second to the Candy Cane is anything which Sweet Shop puts out for Christmas. This year Sweet Shop has been even more creative and I predict that our customers will be very excited about the decorated pretzels and the absolutely melt-in-your-mouth chocolate covered and decorated Oreos.
So here goes.
We have a number of events coming up in the store: Holiday Party, Trollbeads Party, Obsidian Jewelry Party and this year, for the first time, Santa Bob will visit our store on Sunday afternoon, November 22.
We would just be thrilled if you visited Sweet Tooth over and over during this season. Call us for times and dates.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Sweet Tooth and The Pioneer Woman
Let me tell you the story of how we met Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman.
The reason I bring this story up right now is that just a few minutes ago we received our 1st order of Ree Drummond's new cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks Dinnertime.
Our daughter Sabrina spends time online hunting down things of interest. Years ago when she worked at a Museum in Tulsa, she had discovered a blogger named Ree Drummond. At the time, Ree was not as well known as she is today.
Sabrina ordered The Pioneer Woman's calendar (no longer available) to give her co-workers for holiday gifts. Sabrina continued to follow Ree's blog.
At one point, Ree announced that she was going to have a cooking demonstration at her lodge and invited followers to put their name in a drawing to be invited to this demonstration. Sabrina put her name in and she was selected to go, along with a guest.
Her guest?? Jeff, her dad.
On the appointed day, Sabrina and Jeff drove up to the lodge and had a great time with several other guests participating in the cooking demonstration with Ree Drummond and her guest from New York. Among other things they learned to make pretzels. The highpoint of the afternoon, though, was the delicious lunch which Ree served to her guests.
That day sealed Sabrina's enthusiasm for The Pioneer Woman and started Sweet Tooth ordering all her cookbooks, her autobiography and some of the Charlie story books which Ree wrote.
In addition, Sabrina's enthisiasm for Ree caught on with me and Jeff. We have become devoted followers of her cooking show. We even place our commercials on her show.
Every Sunday afternoon we sit down to watch Ree's t.v. program which we have DVRed from its Saturday debut. Sometimes we even catch our ad on the show and that is a lot of fun too.
So, Pioneer Woman, we have adopted you completely. We know the feeling of the beginning of the empty nester stage of life as you sent your oldest daughter off to college. We have used your recipes for our meals and we truly enjoy the idea of a vegetarian, now devoted to eating beef!! We also enjoyed watching you create Falafel in Pita Bread this past week, a sandwich we truly love as well.
Oklahoma has many wonderful celebrities. Ree Drummond is certainly one of our favorites.
The reason I bring this story up right now is that just a few minutes ago we received our 1st order of Ree Drummond's new cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks Dinnertime.
Our daughter Sabrina spends time online hunting down things of interest. Years ago when she worked at a Museum in Tulsa, she had discovered a blogger named Ree Drummond. At the time, Ree was not as well known as she is today.
Sabrina ordered The Pioneer Woman's calendar (no longer available) to give her co-workers for holiday gifts. Sabrina continued to follow Ree's blog.
At one point, Ree announced that she was going to have a cooking demonstration at her lodge and invited followers to put their name in a drawing to be invited to this demonstration. Sabrina put her name in and she was selected to go, along with a guest.
Her guest?? Jeff, her dad.
On the appointed day, Sabrina and Jeff drove up to the lodge and had a great time with several other guests participating in the cooking demonstration with Ree Drummond and her guest from New York. Among other things they learned to make pretzels. The highpoint of the afternoon, though, was the delicious lunch which Ree served to her guests.
That day sealed Sabrina's enthusiasm for The Pioneer Woman and started Sweet Tooth ordering all her cookbooks, her autobiography and some of the Charlie story books which Ree wrote.
In addition, Sabrina's enthisiasm for Ree caught on with me and Jeff. We have become devoted followers of her cooking show. We even place our commercials on her show.
Every Sunday afternoon we sit down to watch Ree's t.v. program which we have DVRed from its Saturday debut. Sometimes we even catch our ad on the show and that is a lot of fun too.
So, Pioneer Woman, we have adopted you completely. We know the feeling of the beginning of the empty nester stage of life as you sent your oldest daughter off to college. We have used your recipes for our meals and we truly enjoy the idea of a vegetarian, now devoted to eating beef!! We also enjoyed watching you create Falafel in Pita Bread this past week, a sandwich we truly love as well.
Oklahoma has many wonderful celebrities. Ree Drummond is certainly one of our favorites.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
What You Should Know About Credit Card Chip Technology
October is a special month for credit card technology. Retailers are required to have new credit card processing machines in place which will accept the new chip technology, as well as the magnetic strip on your card. Gas stations have until 2017 to install that technology.
You will be relieved to know that Sweet Tooth has had its new credit card machines for about 2 weeks. Frankly, there is very little change on our side about how to use credit cards with the chip on them. Let me tell you a few things you need to know about this new technology.
A chip card is a debit or credit card with a built-in microchip which you can easily see on the front of your card. The chip provides greater security and convenience for you when you use your credit card. The microchip is encrypted and that makes it extremely difficult for someone to copy or counterfeit your credit card.
European countries and Canada have had this technology for a while. If you made a recent trip to one of those places you may have run into some difficulty if your credit card did not have the microchip. Even though chip cards may have a magnetic strip on the back, it is much better and more secure for you to use the chip.
Because we are a retailer, we do not require a PIN number to process purchases. However if you are attempting to withdraw money from an ATM you may find that you cannot do so without a PIN number.
Jeff is due a huge pat on the back for working early to make certain that Sweet Tooth had the correct technology for accepting chip credit cards. I think I need a pat on the back for remembering how to process that card. We have already had several customers make purchases with their new chip credit card. Those customers have the security of knowing that they will not be a victim of fraud as long as they use their "chip".
You will be relieved to know that Sweet Tooth has had its new credit card machines for about 2 weeks. Frankly, there is very little change on our side about how to use credit cards with the chip on them. Let me tell you a few things you need to know about this new technology.
A chip card is a debit or credit card with a built-in microchip which you can easily see on the front of your card. The chip provides greater security and convenience for you when you use your credit card. The microchip is encrypted and that makes it extremely difficult for someone to copy or counterfeit your credit card.
European countries and Canada have had this technology for a while. If you made a recent trip to one of those places you may have run into some difficulty if your credit card did not have the microchip. Even though chip cards may have a magnetic strip on the back, it is much better and more secure for you to use the chip.
Because we are a retailer, we do not require a PIN number to process purchases. However if you are attempting to withdraw money from an ATM you may find that you cannot do so without a PIN number.
Jeff is due a huge pat on the back for working early to make certain that Sweet Tooth had the correct technology for accepting chip credit cards. I think I need a pat on the back for remembering how to process that card. We have already had several customers make purchases with their new chip credit card. Those customers have the security of knowing that they will not be a victim of fraud as long as they use their "chip".
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