Revitalization Dreams

I've mentioned before that I've been attending the Business Builder's Bootcamp at the Women's City Club in Pasadena.  Our ultimate goal is to write a business plan, which will be accomplished soon.  I'm learning how difficult it is to write a plan just for our store alone.

I've also learned that like so many other business traditions today, the form and function of a business plan is changing.  Banks and other lenders are so tightly regulated now that most don't even ask for a plan.  So inundated with loan requests, the beleagured banks are only looking at financials.  Of course if the financials don't meet their (the government's) standards, a loan won't be forthcoming.  It's even harder for a start-up company that doesn't have any financials yet.  Unless you're bankrolling the new business yourself, the search for funding is almost impossible. 

For Scott and I, the situation is worse.  Here we are, owners of a piece of a declining and now fragmented icon.  Webster's Pharmacy, of which we were once a part of, has been in Scott's family since the early 1920s.  You'd think that by our longevity in the community alone, we'd be able to secure funding with no problem.  Not so easy to do that now that we're a separate entity.  Because of the change in ownership and a new tax identification number, we don't have all those years to fall back on.  We do, but......well, you get the idea.  No bank loans forthcoming easily for us, either.

So we have to think outside the box if we're going to be successful in convincing someone to invest in us.  A regular business plan just won't do....it has to be different.  Because I want to include not just our own store, but the entire Webster's complex and the North Lake Business District, I have to sell an idea.....a dream.  I need to convey my dream of revitalization to whomever I end up talking to in a powerful enough manner so they'll buy in.  I've done the research, studied the demographics and I'm certain that Altadena can support what we'll be proposing. 

I thought I'd use this blog as a communication tool when I started it in 2007.  It is that, but it's morphed into so much more since its inception...so much so that I plan to use parts of this blog in my business plan.  Doing it this way allows me the opportunity to share our plans with you.  Both Scott and I want to keep you informed, and involved, in what's happening here at Webster's because we think you deserve to know.

We think that now is the perfect time to make an investment in Altadena's future.  Even in this economic downturn when uncertainty is rampant everywhere, we are certain of this.  Did you know that Sunset Magazine named Pasadena as the 7th "20 Best Towns Of The Future" article in their March 2010 issue?  Citing JPL and Caltech as hotbeds of innovation, they say that young entrepreneurs are not hesitant to try something new, city halls are taking on the environment at a grass-roots level and universities are challenging the old ways of thinking.  We agree with them.

In the most recent issue of Los Angeles Magazine, their feature article is "10 Small Town Adventures".  The illustration on page 119, by Paul Rogers, depicts 10 towns, including Monrovia, Montrose, Eagle Rock and South Pasadena.  The article details all ten towns, their shops and eateries and why people love it there.  We think Altadena would fit easily into the ranks of these communities.

We know that people are moving into Pasadena by the hundreds, if not thousands.  You can see the builiding that's been going on lately and how crowded Pasadena proper has become.  More and more of these people looking to move to Pasadena will be looking at the outlying areas, like Altadena.  With real estate prices down, our community is poised to experience growth like it hasn't seen in many years, if ever.  That means our business centers ought to be ready for the influx.

If we can push forward successfully, work with County government to address traffic concerns and procure redevelopment funding, we will be at the forefront of this boom.  We need this funding to give Altadena what it wants - the preservation of our small town atmosphere within our urban landscape and a forward thinking center of commerce that meets the needs of its people.  This is what we belive in and this is what we're striving for.  We invite you to join us on our journey and we'll talk some more about our plans next week.

Lori and Scott

Spring Forward!

It's officially Spring and how glad we are to see it here at WFS!  I'm sure you are, too, and like us, are appreciating the longer days.  We consider Spring to be our chance to interact with our community and strengthen the ties between us.  That means a lot of fun is in store for all of us!

SPRING CELEBRATION TO BENEFIT DANNY'S FARM!

On our calendar now is WFS' Spring Celebration, starting with our coloring raffle for children ages 1-10.  Come by and pick up one of three different designs your child(ren) can color and return to the store by March 26th.  They will be entered into a raffle for exciting prizes, to be given out by none other than the Easter Bunny himself!  Winners will be announced in store on Saturday, March 27th, at 1:00 p.m. and fun and games will ensue.   All purchases made between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. will benefit Danny's Farm, who will receive 15% of net proceeds during that time period.  A representative of Danny's Farm will be on hand with some of their animal residents to help explain the good things that they do (and plan to do) for the Altadena community.

We hope you can drop by to see us on Saturday.  Nothing says Spring quite like a picture of your kid(s) with the Easter Bunny and his adorable cohorts from Danny's Farm - make sure to bring your cameras! The children's artwork will be displayed in the store for al lto admire!  If you have any questions about the Celebration and fund-raiser for Danny's Farm, please give me a call at the store at 626-797-1135.

DEBUTING NEW ALTADENA COMPANY, DIP ME IN CHOCOLATE

We have found the most fabulous candymaker right here in Altadena!  Her name is Dana Gregoire, and she and her new company, Dip Me In Chocolate, produce luscious chocolate treats.  She'll be debuting her Spring line in store during our Spring Celebration.  You can't miss this chance to sample her decadent goodies and take some home for Easter baskets, or to enjoy yourself!  Dana is generously donating 15% of her net sales to Danny's Farm so come prepared to buy.  Help support not only our own local businesses but our very much needed nonprofits as well. 

Remember, the coloring pages for the raffle are available now until March 25th at the store.  Colored pictures must be turned in by the 26th.  The Spring Celebration is Saturday, March 27th, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.  As always, coffee, lemonade, cookies and snacks will be served.  Drop by and help support Altadena....it'll be a fun time! 

Stepping Out

This week, I'll be stepping outside of my normal Webster-centric topics. No worries, we'll talk about a couple store related topics at the end. I thought I'd let you know about two community centered issues that you might not be aware of.

The world of blogging has exploded in the past few years. With the proliferation of blogs out there to read, there are a few local blogs that stand out. Cafe Pasadena, that Virtual Underwire on the Bra of Life, is one such blogger. He brings to light a situation with the APS Store at Chantry Flats that is a classic example of bureaucratic insanity that's so prevelant today. Read about it here: http://tinyurl.com/ye77zgk Don't forget to read his follow up articles about it!

The other issue that sounds like it needs more clarification is the parcel tax the Foothill Municipal Water District is proposing. Seems troubling that there are so many unanswered questions surrounding the economic impact of such a tax, particulary in these times. Read about it here on our Facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/ykpmwxf While you're there, take a moment and become a fan!

Speaking of blogging and bloggers, the 2nd annual Primavera in Altadena, aka the Blogger's Picknic, will be held this Saturday, March 20th, at Farnsworth Park. Come meet and greet with some of the San Gabriel Valley's most prolific bloggers and do bring something good to share because it's a potluck! Read about it here: http://tinyurl.com/yzerkv4

We've got lots of things to be excited about inside WFS! We're expecting a new shipment of Moleskine notebooks and related items shortly. Look for our post about the history of Moleskine - the legendary notebook of Picasso and Chatwin - on our Facebook Fan Page soon! Also on our radar are the coolest new readers (you know, those magnifying glasses you sometimes have to wear to be able to see the small print?), set to arrive in a couple of weeks. I'll give you a little hint about them....you'll be able to read in the dark very well with these babies!

Until next week.....

Lori & Scott

Stand....And Deliver

I suppose it's evident by now that we're advocates of our community. It's no secret that Scott and I are working hard to improve the business environment here in the North Lake Business District, and hopefully in all of Altadena.

We don't think that this goal is impossible to acheive, although I've heard many opinions to the contrary. Every time I open an business magazine or industry-specific publication (and believe me, I read a LOT of those) I discover another inspirational success story. I'd like to share one of those with you now.

Dusty Durrill owns retail boutique Bleu Frog Mercantile in Corpus Christi, Texas. The neighborhood he chose to locate his store in was past its heyday. There were businesses and stores closing but that didn't deter him. Dusty had a vision of revitalization. He bought his building, renovated it and opened for business.

After five years or so, Bleu Frog Mercantile was firmly established and other entrepreneurs began to invest in the community as well. A restaurant and a cafe soon followed and the neighborhood began to thrive once again.

Dusty credits his success to the people in his community, his staff and his fellow business owners. It takes the cooperation of all these parts to create a successful store. His staff credits Rusty himself. When interviewed for the article that appeared in GiftBeat, written by Tracy Pulley, the store manager, Sue Iverson, says she's thrilled not only to head up a thriving store but to partner with a man whose vision is changing an entire community. "Dusty Durrill is doing wonderful things for this city", she says. "Bleu Frog is just the beginning."

We believe this can be done here in Altadena. There's proof everywhere, from the demographics I've studied in preparing our business plan to talking to residents, just like you, over the past two and a half years. You want a change and you want it for the better. We want to let you know that we're behind that concept one hundred percent.

This is our stand, for our store and for Altadena. We make no empty promises in ads placed in city newspapers. When you come to WFS, you get the real deal. We deliver by treating you as you deserve to be treated, like the friend you are. We deliver by offering you the best shopping experience we can, from our complimentary coffee, tea and cookies to our exquisite gift wrap to our flexible return policy. Delivering what we promise is what we do and who we are - it's part of our DNA.

Stay with us, watch us grow and let us deliver....to you!

It's All About Community

What an incredible week we've just had....and I can't wait to share it with you! We were all over the map - from meeting the staff (and the animals) of Danny's Farm to taping a short video at TVP Studios in Burbank - it sure was an eventful few days.

If you don't know about Danny's Farm yet, you should get acquainted with them. If you click on the title of this blogpost, it'll take you to their website....find out why they're so special. They do wonderful things in our community and they have plans to do more, which makes us very proud to help support their efforts. The picture here is of Scott and I standing in front of the sun shade our modest donation provided. We're happy that their menagerie now has a haven from the sometimes brutal Altadena sun. I'm holding Thumper, one of the resident rabbits, in the picture. Their petting zoo includes the most darling burros and goats, bunnies (with babies!) and chickens, all available for parties!

Providing support to our local non-profits is something that we believe strongly in. In times like these, we all must take extraordinary steps to ensure our non-profits remain operational. My father-in-law told me that charity begins at home. It does, you know. Our home, the place where we do business, needs our help. We need strong, healthy businesses that are committed to supporting the infrastructure of the community so that we may all survive this economic downturn.

We ran a benefit for Danny's Farm throughout the holiday season. I told Cathy Gott that we would donate a percentage of our sales of custom holiday cards to Danny's Farm. However, orders (besides Cathy's own) were non-existent due to the recession and I felt terrible about that. So we donated anyway, and I couldn't be happier. So little meant so much and even better, did so much....and that's the way it's supposed to work. One community pulling together to make sure we all succeed is how it's done and we're proud to be part of it.

On Wednesday, I had a short video produced with the help of some very good friends. Deb Halberstadt, of Half City Productions and Rich Tomayo of TVP Studios, lent their expertise to create the video, which you can listen to here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shabeXr3wIs (due to Blogger's non-functional link insertion tab, you'll need to copy and paste the address into your browser window). The video tells you what we're about here at WFS, our core values and how we can help our community. Please click on the link and listen to it, I think you'll be glad you did.

Speaking of community, WFS is putting together a Customer Advisory Board. We have three willing participants and are looking for seven more. I'd like a sampling of all types of customers, from very loyal, to sometimes loyal to not so loyal. This will enable us to understand your needs and wants as it relates to our store. This is an amazing opportunity for someone to help shape their neighborhood store, and of course, there are benefits that go along with being a board member. Tenure on the board would be for one year and we would meet at a convenient time at the store once a month. Board members are entitled to a 20% discount on all purchases while they sit and refreshments will be provided at meetings. Please let me know if you'd be interested...let your voice be heard!

We're doing this because we want to listen to you. We're good at listening at WFS. We did try the suggestion box but that didn't work so well, and it's too one-sided. We got too many frivolous comments, like "don't smile so much, it's eerie" to "have Equal packets available with your coffee". I'd like to be able to sit down and discuss suggestions like rational humans. However, we have had some verbal suggestions from customers which we've acted on. Our good friend and customer Lori Paul has suggested a few things to us and we love her for that! One of her suggestions recently was for us to check out a U.S. company headquartered in Montana called DuckBoy. They manufacture greeting cards, postcards, books and calendars and they're a hoot! We purchased a small selection that are in store now - and they'll be signed with the fact that Lori recommended this product to us.

So here's our message for the week: Be a part of your community, because your community needs you. Everyone's busy, we know, but try to make some time to take part. Start with small things, like supporting a non-profit or supporting a store that supports non-profits. Start by taking part in the formation of a truly community-oriented retail store by speaking your mind and being heard....the long journey begins by putting one foot in front of the other. Have a great week!

The Once and Future Store

With apologies to T.H. White, I think the title is quite apropos for what we'll be talking about this week. There's a definite parallel between the Camelot of legend and the community of Altadena and Webster's.

Once vibrant, Webster's exemplified the model of the ideal community store. Offering a variety of unique merchandise, Webster's fulfilled the area's wants and needs and became the ad hoc town center. We involved ourselves in the community and the community repaid us handsomely by patronizing the store - truly a win/win situation for everyone!

Reading through some old town newspapers today, it's evident that Altadena had a thriving business district on North Lake Avenue. Those were prosperous times. Times when you kept your business dollars local. The neighborhood store, the local market, the bakery down the street - all contributed to your well being, as you contributed to theirs. Looking at it as a circle, everyone was contributing together to keep their community economically viable.

As time is wont to do, it passes and leaves great change in its wake. Economics, demographics, shopping habits and tastes have changed drastically since these photos were taken. We've seen the rise of corporate businesses and their bid to take over the world. We've seen its effects on our community. We watch as independently owned businesses struggle for viability and we've watched as some succumb, withering away into memory.

Fortunately, time is a circle. We're now seeing the resurgence of people all across the country wanting to preserve their neighborhoods' individuality. Witness what's happening here in Altadena - the birth of our own Altadena/Pasadena food co-op, the success of the Coffee Gallery Backstage, the Gallery At The End Of The World, Altadena Junction, Amy's Patio Cafe and Bulgarini Gelato. We've seen the enormous popularity of Altadenablog, proving yet again that Altadena wants to be a community connected.

We all have our place in this town and our town is poised on the brink of a phenomenon. As resistant to change as Altadena is, we've taken steps toward a paradigm change - can we swing the pendulum back to prosperity? Scott and I think we can.

Working together, people can move mountains. That's what we're counting on, because we've got great plans ahead. All we need is your support - your desire to direct a positive impact on your community. You can start by directing your dollars locally. It doesn't matter which independently-owned business, just make sure your money stays in the community, where it can do the most good.

We know times are tough right now. What we all need to do, though, is rethink our definition of value. Value is not always the lowest price. Value is what you get for your dollar, like excellent service, quality products and the satisfaction of knowing that what goes out of your pocket and into your community can really help move mountains.

Stay with us as we delve further into our plans for the future, support us as we grow toward it....and have a fabulous week!

Love Is All You Need

Today while we celebrate those whom we love, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on just how blessed Scott and I are. With lives as busy as ours have become since taking ownership of WFS, the notion of enjoying a romantic evening has gone out the window. So here I am at my keyboard, waiting for our delivery Valentine's meal and I'm about to tell you what I admire most about my husband.

Scott's the kind of guy that's so easy-going and mellow, it's difficult to be in a bad mood around him. I appreciate that quality in him so much since it balances out my more assertive tendencies. His gentle, winning way with people is something that fascinates me. He's comfortable talking to just about anyone and always is able to find common ground that makes reciprocal conversation easy.

I like watching his eyes sparkle when he's engaged in conversation with someone. It seems there's nothing he likes better than to find out about whomever he's talking to without boring them with repetitious details about himself. He is definitely a people person!

Then there's his voice. Long known as the "voice of Webster's", his low, resonate timber is distinctly his own. I remember when I first applied for a job at Webster's back in 1995 and he called me to set up an appointment. His voice was so interesting and I knew then that he was going to be someone special in my life.

Scott has so many more strengths, but I think his most important quality is his sense of personal integrity. No matter what obstacles are thrown in his way, I've seen Scott come shining through every time. His innate goodness seems to radiate off him and that sometimes makes him a target for those that take advantage of people like him. A word of warning to those advantage takers, though....the man is willing to forgive but he'll never forget.

So this is my Valentine's Day ode to my wonderful husband, whom I love dearly. Wish I could buy him a vacation, a day off, a new car or even fix that darn water main, but I can't. What I can do is tell the world why he's so special to me and to many other folks as well, because I think he deserves to know.

Meet The WFS Crew! Introducing Devon Pettengill

Much like any other thing in life, the whole is only as good as the sum of its parts, and that's particularly true for a retail store. Having friendly, knowledgable employees is important. In fact, these days, it's of enormous importance and that's why we're bringing you a special mid-week blogpost to introduce you to one of our new crew members, Devon Pettengill.

Devon, our lovely redheaded sprite, hails from Mill Valley, California but she's now a resident of Altadena. She's wonderfully upbeat with a gentle smile, sparkling eyes and an engaging personality. When asked what she likes about working at WFS, she states, "I love helping people find things they need....or what they didn't know they need. It's great to get a genuine smile from customers."

A self-professed stationery geek, she recalls hanging out at the local paper and pen shops as one of her fondest pastimes. "Other kids would get jazzed by going to toy stores. I was different - pretty papers, note cards, pens and letterpress gave me goosebumps!". Good thing she's in the right work environment now, and all to your benefit.

When she's not at work, creative Devon loves reading books and magazines. She's on an American history binge right now, she says. She also loves crafting and decorating her home, but writing is her number one passion. She does it so well that I've asked Devon to start contributing on our Facebook fan page. Look for her report on the usefulness of place cards on Friday, Feb. 12th. There's a link to our Facebook page on the left sidebar or simply click the title of this blogpost.

Devon's plans for the future are to find a career where she can use her skills to satisfy some one's communication needs either as a writer or a graphic designer. Our plans for Devon's future include asking her to use those same skills for the store, keeping them honed and ready.

Come in soon and say hello to Devon and let her assist you in finding exactly what you need at WFS!

"Love a Local Business" Hits a Rock Wall And Other Stories

Last post, I told you about Intuit's "Love a Local Business" competition. I asked if you'd vote for us and tell Intuit why you loved us and your response was fantastic! I want to sincerely thank all of you that voted. We got over 65 votes, and for just three weeks of running, is pretty impressive. We didn't win, though....the winning business was a rock wall climbing place in another state with over 1,200 votes. That's a whole lotta rock climbing going on and a whole lotta votes for a small business! Kudos to them, and WFS will try again next year.

I'd like to share some of the wonderful endorsements we received from the contest, but first let me tell you about some exciting news and some ideas we've got running through our heads.

Since I joined the Board of Directors of the Altadena Chamber of Commerce, they've asked me to write a monthly newsletter for them. I'm honored that they'd ask me to write it, I hope I can do a good job for them!

You've probably already heard about the Pasadena Playhouse being shut down. We are wondering about different avenues we could take to aid fundraising efforts for them. There is a Facebook group for just that purpose, which can be found by clicking on the title of this blogpost, but what could WFS do? We're thinking about putting something together with some of the Playhouse's luminaries and donating a portion of net sales, but I'm open to suggestions.

There are great new products in the store and more arriving almost daily! Valentine's Day is almost here, and we're here to help you get ready if you're not already. Fabulous cards (most made right here in the U.S.!), gourmet chocolate fudge truffles made locally, darling Valentine themed boxes and gifts, gorgeous fair-trade jewelry, scarves and bags, even fabulous office accessories....what's not to love about Valentine's Day at WFS? We hope to see you soon and we'll leave you with a few of those lovely comments about us posted on the "Love a Local Business" site!

----Lori

"This is a fun store with a great selection of supplies for the serious and not-so-serious writer. I bought a superb Monteverde pen that I know will be in daily use for many more years. The owners and staff are very friendly and helpful! Great store!
doug (01.31.10)"

"I've been coming to Webster's since I was very young, and I love all of the positive changes!"
Kim (01.25.10)

"Great store and I love how their staff is aware of "good" customer service."
Ben (01.25.10)

"Long time family business. Unique collection of stationary products. Friendly staff. Special orders of small lots for specific customer requests."
Mike Holland (01.25.10)

"From the friendly, personal service to the really cool handmade items, Webster's is my favorite shop in Altadena. In a very tough economy, competing with the big box stores, Webster's does it right!"
JillM

Have A Heart!

The heart is the most common symbol of romantic love. Ancient cultures believed the human soul lived in the heart. Others thought it to be the source of emotions and intelligence. Some believed the heart embodied a man's truth, strength and nobility. The heart may be associated with love because the ancient Greeks believed it was the target of Eros, known as cupid to the Romans. Anyone shot in the heart by one of Cupid's arrows would fall hopelessly in love. Because the heart is so closely linked to love, it's red color is thought to be the most romantic.

We're seeing lots of red these days....and pink and purple, too, for this Valentine's Day. Happily it falls on a Sunday this year, when lovers the world over can celebrate this ancient holiday all weekend long!

The custom of giving valentine gifts on February 14th is rooted deep in history, but it wasn't until the eighteenth century that crafting paper valentines became popular. Back then, people would contract writers to pen verses to their loved ones and there were books to help those with writer's block. Over time, the custom of Valentine giving grew and stationery manufacturers began printing them for everyone.

These days, you can find valentine greetings almost anywhere. To really make an impression, though, you want to give something that speaks of your individuality. Something that is a cut above the best, and we have them for you here at WFS! Retro designs from Laughing Elephant, heartfelt (and made from pcw material) messages and images from Amber Lotus, letterpress cuties from Hello Lucky!, delightfully wicked wit from Uncooked, refined and classic offerings from the venerable Crane & Co. and fabulously beautiful greetings from Punch Studio....we're stocked and ready for you!

Of course, we have all the accoutrements that follow along with Valentine's Day. Decadent chocolate fudge truffles from local favorite, John Kelly Chocolates, are perfect for giving. We've just gotten a shipment in of fair trade jewelry made by Tibetan refugees and the sale of these gorgeous pieces benefit orphan children in Tibet. We also have lovely jewelry pieces by local jewelry makers Julie Lynn Pircher, Ruthie Castro and Jewels of the Earth by Diana - any one of them would make a memorable Valentine's Day gift.

Remember, any purchase over $20.00 receives a complimentary gift wrap, and we're not talking thin paper and curling ribbon here. A gift from WFS is something that you'd be proud to give....you'll have to drop by and let us show you! Drop by our Facebook page, as well, and become a fan of our store, if you haven't already. Just click the title to this post and it'll take you there. Once registered, you'll be able to take advantage of specials offered exclusively to our fans, take part in discussions and find out the latest at WFS!

Thank you and all of us here at WFS wish you and yours a wonderful Valentine's Day!

----Lori

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!

Whirlwind Week

Whew….what a week this just was! Lots of exciting things happening, like the California Gift Show, the Chamber of Commerce Installation dinner approaching (did I tell you I got elected to the Board?) and getting new stuff into the store! Wasn’t it just Monday?

We kicked off the week on a sour note….we lost our newest crew member, Trish, who decided that the commute from where she moved to was too long. WFS wishes her the well in whatever she does next. That means we’ll be looking for someone who is a people person and detail oriented, responsible and available nights and weekends. If you know someone who doesn’t mind hard work and is a team player, please forward him or her our way.

The rest of the week was a fabulous blur of seeing, and sometimes ordering, wonderful new products for the store. It can get overwhelming at market and that’s when those trends that we discussed last week come into play. Going to the gift show might seem like a lot of fun (it is!) but it’s also hard work. We attempt to see into the near future and buy what we think is something that you might be looking for, staying somewhat within the parameters set by the fashion pundits.

That’s why it’s a good idea to not take all the predictions too seriously! I like to distill that trendy stuff down and take a good hard look at what my favorite designers and decorators are doing. Then we add our own flavor into it and we buy accordingly.

My designer of choice has been Mary Carol Garrity (of Nell Hills’ fame) for quite awhile. I love her use of scale and her eye for using natural elements in her decor mirrors my own. Her favorite trends of 2010, in her own words, are:

“Woodland themes: a classic look with hunt club fabrics in red, green and navy and animal-inspired accents, like antler-shaped candle holders.

Reinvented country: now less cutesy and more home-spun. This season’s rustic trims, like burlap ribbon, twine & wool plaids.

Gold: once out of favor, gold, and its cousins bronze & copper, are back in a big way this year. The most exciting look today is combining both gold and silver together.”

Whatever your style is, come in and experience ours! There’s lots to see - I think we’ll be able to give you a little inspiration, a little whimsy, a smile and some helpful advice, if needed. Don’t forget to check our website, Twitter and Facebook pages for product updates and social happenings - just click on this post's title to get to our site. Valentine’s Day is looming and we’re all decked out for it – hope we see you soon!