Direct from Market: Northeast Market Center, Billerica, MA
Caroline Kennedy -- Gifts and Dec, 7/13/2010 10:28:40 PM
The Summer Holiday Show lured New England gift retailers to the Northeast Market Center in Billerica, MA, to view new product introductions, finish their third and fourth quarter buying and place early orders for spring 2011 seasonal merchandise. Like many of the regional market centers around the country, the Northeast Market Center is challenged to maintain its presence as rising costs make it more difficult for the sales rep organizations and manufacturers to afford the cost of permanent showrooms to serve their customers. Several of the reps with whom we spoke noted that the Market Center is important to the New 
England retailers they serve; many of their customers do not want to spare the expense and take the extra time away from their shops to travel elsewhere to meet with their reps, source new product and do their buying. The Market Center has a dedicated tenant association and staff, which is committed to working out a solution. And there is hope that one may be in the offing soon.
The show started out a little slower than anticipated with relatively light buyer traffic on Saturday. But with shops being open on Saturday and the nice weather, it was natural that retailers were attending to their businesses. On Sunday, there was an encocuraging gradual flow of retailers coming into the Market Center, and on Monday, when many shops are traditionally closed, the showrooms were busy and writing orders steadily.
Sunday was Boston Red Sox Day at the Market Center with many reps wearing team caps and shirts and many displays of licensed product prominently displayed. As a special event to cap off the day, rep Ron Gilefsky arranged a 
special appearance at the Market Center of the Boston Red Sox two World Series trophies. This created a lot of buzz, and everyone had the opportunity to have their picture taken with the trophies and show their Boston pride. Hotdogs, popcorn and Crackerjacks were served at the lively get-together.
Big News! Mike Kittredge, the founder of Yankee Candle, is back in the candle business, in partnership with his son, Mike, who is carrying on the family tradition of candle-making. Together they have founded The Kringle Candle Company, which made its wholesale debut and is available exclusively in the Seward Associates showroom. The new candle company is based in Bernardston, MA, where the Kittredges have set up a factory and retail showroom for the hand-poured candle line. The all-white candles are highly fragranced and presented in several styles including three sizes in apothecary jars, tealights and floating candles. The lack of dyes is a conscious merchandising decision on the part of father and son. The new company grew out of an academic assignment that Mike Kittredge III discussed with his father about expanding into a real business. The new line was drawing a lot of buyer interest.
In the Showrooms
AngelStar is new to the B.L. Rogers showroom and receiving a positive reception for its inspirational line. New to the line are Positiles, domino-like tiles with inspirational words or messages. Also new and attracting a lot of buyer interest is family of angel figurines that have movable lacy metal wings that are attached magnetically. The wings serve as a way to personalize the figurines: they are shaped to hold a photograph. Also new is a line of affordable fresh water pearl jewelry from J. Michelle Designs.
And speaking of fashion accessories, Charm 14 introduced new patterns and designs, including a selection of insulated lunch bags. The company's practical cell phone purse line continues to grow with new patterns that appeal to all age groups. They are a best seller.
Jewelry, jewelry, jewelry ... was everywhere and drawing a lot of attention. It sells. JJI International featured its Splashes and Sparkles line of extremely well priced nickel-free, hypo-allergenic earrings, rings and necklaces. DaVinci Beads showcased its affordable priced bead charm bracelet program. Oak Patch Gifts' Jody Coyote introduced many new designs. Viva Beads handmade polymer clay bead jewelry drew a crowd in the Blue Birch showroom. The company offers a lines of beaded bracelets designed just for girls.
Also new from Oak Patch is a new line called Vintage Dude, designed for men's gifting. The humorous collection of mugs, t-shirts, caps and plaques plays off of golf, fishing and car themes.
In the Prestige Marketing showroom, the Margaret Furlong collection of porcelain ornaments captured our eye. We had not seen the line up close and personal in quite some time and it is more beautiful in person than memory served. Her centerpiece designs are shell angels, but her design inspiration has expanded to stars, hearts and other motifs that often still incorporate shell shapes.
In the Jaybee-El Associates showroom, new from Brewster Home Fashions, known for its Zoo-Wallogy wall sticker collection, debuted stained glass appliqués for windows. The appliqués allow homeowners to achieve the look of expensive stained glass windows without the expense. The company also offers peel-and-stick etched glass looks for windows and mirrors.
In New England Gift Associates, Spoontiques introduced a collection of thermos bottles with a variety of fun licensed designs decorating them. These thermos bottles play to the eco- and budget-conscious consumer who wishes to make and take their coffee from home rather buy it out.
At Robert Brais Associates, Unicorn Studio's delicate porcelain accessories were a draw for buyers. While we were in the showroom, customers entered and specifically noted that they were there to reorder the company's small boxes. Silver Deer, one of the rep firm's original lines and in the showroom for more than 30 years is still a strong seller. The hanging crystal accessories are simply pretty and enhance their surrounding with their rainbow of refracted light.
The Allen Vayle showroom hosted a book signing by Mitali Perkins, who greeted and chatted with buyers as she signed her new book Rickshaw Children, which is geared to the tween reader.
Temporaries Too!
In addition to the diverse lines to view in the showrooms, the show also featured more than 20 temporary exhibitors ranging from start-up companies and handcrafted lines to importers and manufacturers reps without local showrooms. Among the small handcrafted and new exhibitors were MJ Design Ventures presenting a children's board book, My Grammy Loves Me targeted to toddlers, along with complementary t-shirts. The book was written by company principal Jean Sousa and charmingly illustrated by a local high school student. A second book, My Gramps Loves Me, is currently in production.
Also for the kids is Imaginary Kids' "Tracker," Santa's plush puppy who comes with his own book and interactive website.
In personal care, 316 Traditional Remedies presented a line of handcrafted soaps and other all natural personal care items. The company takes a holistic approach to its products, which were initially developed for patients undergoing cancer treatment. The company works with indigenous people in various countries such as Papua New Guinea for sourcing ingredients and recipe inspiration, and gives back 20 percent of its profits to the communities it works with.
For the fashionista, Posies offered eye-catching large handmade silk flowers reminiscent of Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw signature flower broaches, only these are necklaces that make a statement.
And for the eco-conscious hostess, Blue Bag Recycled Creations presented a selection of recycled bottles that are flattened and crafted into serving dishes, cutting boards, cheese trays and other creative serveware. This artisan company has partnered with Country Home Creations to create gift sets combining the Country Home's dip mixes with Blue Bag's serving dish and a beaded spoon.
Hootstein & Associates, a former tenant of the Market Center and still an adjunct member of tenant association, had a presence in the temps to meet with customers and show the newest items from Zelco, Mark Feldstein, Clic readers and the other lines that it represents.
And the regional sales manager for The Gerson Companies took space in the temps as well. Of particular interest is the company's diverse collection of flameless LED candles. New to the line is a selection of flameless wedding candles, tapers, metal and resin outdoor lanterns and lava-textured wax pillars.
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