Fall 2021 - 4

Reconnecting with Markets
Looking forward to January in Atlanta
Posters displayed at LouLou Belle
Display of products at 2 Pink Magnolias
In July 2021, buyers, makers and
showrooms came together to experience
the energy and enthusiasm of meeting in
person at Atlanta Market at AmericasMart.
After many buyers missed out on January
Market due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- if not also the 2020 Summer Atlanta
Market - it was an even more precious
week of seeing their favorite vendors and
finding new ones.
The owners of two very different shops
shared what they found in July and what
they're looking for at January Market after
some time away from shopping shows.
2 Pink Magnolias is co-owned by motherdaughter
duo Jennifer and Becky Stiver.
They're a Hallmark Gold Crown store
in Newton, N.C., and besides the items
associated with that partnership, they find
almost everything else at Atlanta Market.
LouLou Belle is a smaller shop coowned
by Lisa Komorowski & Dodi Wians
and located in the downtown area of
Homewood, Illinois, a Chicago suburb.
The general gift shop combines the love of
vintage and bohemian handcrafted goods
with Fair-Trade finds.
July Atlanta Market finds
This year, both duos were back in the
saddle searching for new finds and visiting
existing partners at July Atlanta Market.
During the past year or so, both shops
saw an upward trend in customers'
requests for home-based goods such as
décor, candles and personal gifts such
as jewelry and accessories. Komorowski
picked up several new stationery and
gift card lines from the Daniel Richards
showroom. She snagged the letterpress
designs of Maginating, which are full of
cute characters and personified objects
and animals. She ordered cards from
4 FALL 2021 GIFT SHOP® PLUS
J Falkner; the line has bold colors including
some neons and simple art with gold foil
stamps. Girl w/ Knife's sassy creations
with lots of baby pink to soften the edgy
designs also caught Komorowski's eye.
The Stivers found success with some
favorite lines and a couple of new ones.
They always shop for accessories at
Brighton - embossed leather handbags,
bold silver jewelry - and Spartina
449, which offers florals, bright colors
and beachy vibes in their accessories.
SCOUT Bags, in Appelman Schauben,
is a perennial favorite of theirs as well; the
oversized and super-functional bags in new
patterns were a must-buy for the duo.
A newer segment at 2 Pink Magnolias
that has sold very well is gourmet foods.
They were able to pick up favorites and
some new items to stock. Raven's Nest
Specialties' small-batch jams, salsas and
much more will be gracing their shelves as
well as a new line from Just Got 2 Have
It!, Good Times frozen cocktail mixes.
The private-label line is one the Stivers just
launched with flavor names that bring their
family and town to life within the shop.
What they're seeking at January
Market
Both duos plan to write their Holiday
2022 orders at January Market. Coming off
the rush of the holiday season is the perfect
time to make those plans, according to
Komorowski and the Stivers.
2 Pink Magnolias will be seeking themed
items for their peppermint (red and white)
2022 season, with some vintage touches.
They also can't wait to see new designs
from Spartina, Vera Bradley, Brighton
and Evergreen. " Everything we need is
in Atlanta. When we talk to others who
have gone to other shows, the feedback
ADVERTISEMENT | © 2021 AmericasMart Atlanta
Girl w/ Knife
we get is that Atlanta Market has the best
selection, " Jennifer Stiver said.
Besides the holiday order, LouLou Belle
will look for Father's and Mother's Day
finds and black pieces for Halloween;
rather than looking for ghosts or spiders,
Komorowski tries to find items that can
blend in with the rest of the products in the
shop after the holiday passes in order to
save on space in her small shop. They're
hoping to increase Christmas ornament
sales by 10% in 2022, so they'll search for
new lines that can complement what they
already carry.
Merchandising inspiration abounds at
January Market, with both duos excited
to see how each line they frequent
decorating,
is
showing off their favorite products. " You
can't go to a better place to find examples
for merchandising,
color
combinations; that is worth the visit, "
Becky Stiver said.
Komorowski was inspired for her neverending
task of redesigning LouLou Belle's
merchandising by Creative Co-Op and
Sugarboo in July, but the showrooms full
of holiday items are a bigger draw: it's easy
to see how to set up your store for success
when you can feast your eyes upon how the
rep groups combine lines and the makers
themselves arrange their collections.
Atlanta Market
Showrooms: Jan. 11 - 18, 2022
Temporaries: Jan. 12 - 16, 2022
To learn more about Atlanta Market and to
register, visit AtlantaMarket.com.
Circle 296
http://www.AtlantaMarket.com
Fall 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Fall 2021
