Sunday, January 24, 2010

SNEAK PEEKS AND A CONTEST!

There's much good news around WFS these days, I'm excited to report! A successful shopping trip for new seasonal items was completed last week, there were favorable results from the latest survey from the Institute of Local Self-Reliance and our store has entered into Intuit's latest business contest!

INCOMING!!

We spoke about the Gift Show last week, so this week, I'll just hint at the wonderful things to come. New colors and scents in our Root Candle line and in our Candles & Compliments line. High quality Root Candles are made in the U.S. of beeswax so are completely all natural. The colors chosen represent some of the freshest colors for 2010 as do our battery-operated candles. You'll love these - candles and lanterns that are not only gorgeous but also practical and well priced!
We're also getting in gorgeous, Arts & Crafts style gift wrap. Continuous rolls of high style at modest cost - I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do.

Another wonderful find at the show was the most adorable table accessory ever - the standing napkin, in the most fabulous themes! Birthday, anniversary, wedding or baby shower, these clever napkins will be a conversation starter for sure. Look for them in store shortly.

New Spring designs from Crane & Co. will be arriving in a few weeks. Lovely to look at and lovely for our planet, Crane & Co., America's oldest stationers and suppliers of paper for the U.S. Treasury since 1801, have never harmed a tree in the production of their products. Their cards and paper - even the paper our currency is printed on - is 100% cotton rag. When you speak of value, Crane & Co. tops the list -impeccably made, admired the world over and the knowledge that when you send a Crane & Co. card, you are sending something a cut above the very best!

LOCAL FIRST!

The recent survey I mentioned in the first paragraph showed a definate shift in American's buying habis. More people are shopping locally at independent businesses and bypassing chain stores and big boxes. That's fabulous news! Stacy Mitchell, a senior researcher with the Institute reports that "Amid the worst downturn in more than 60 years, independent businesses are managing to succeed by emphasizing their community roots and local ownership". It's wonderful to hear that, isn't it? Independent business is so important to our communities, and never more so than in this era of "generica". I'm heartened by the results that substantiate the evidence that Buy Local campaigns are yeilding real dividends and shifting local spending. Says Jennifer Rockne, director of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), "That's good news for local economies. Studies show that small businesses keep more dollars circulating locally and generate the majority of new jobs." Indeed they do and we're very honored to be part of the business community of Altadena.

DIVING INTUIT

Part in celebration of AMIBA's encouraging survey and partly out of sheer desperation, WFS has entered into Intuit's "Love a Local Business" contest. Winning the grand price of a grant worth $35,000.00 would be a dream come true for us so I ask that you please vote for us. There is a link to the contest on our website and there is a link to our website on the sidebar to the left of this page.
We're at over 43 votes at last count, so if you've already voted, please accept our sincere thanks. We have a plan for that grant, and that's to bring you the best shopping Altadena's had in a long time. Believe in us, believe in Altadena....together we can make it happen! Cast your vote for us today!

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