Summer 2021 - 79

DESTINATION: NYC FIRE MUSEUM
Bourdier shared that generally the museum store offers items
The Museum houses a special memorial
to the 343 members of the FDNY who
made the supreme sacrifice on 9/11
and features a number of firefighting
artifacts recovered from the World
Trade Center site.
- Noemi Bourdier, assistant director,
New York City Fire Museum
sold exclusively at its shop, and does not purchase commemorative
items in bulk or that are available in any other stores. " We have a
handful of vendors we work with year after year to create unique
items, " she said.
She also noted that the top-sellers are all FDNY licensed
products, specifically the Keep Back 200 Feet T-shirt and FDNY
toy fire trucks and mugs. There is a limited number of vendors
that are licensed to produce the FDNY trademark, so the store
works with vendors such as Daron, New York Popular and Torkia
to source its merchandise.
This year for the 9/11 anniversary, there will be some new items
available. " We are planning on having some commemorative
merchandise for the 20th anniversary. The selection of merchandise
will be limited to a pin, t-shirt, patch, sticker and challenge coin, "
she said.
Product Displays
Typically, the staff rotates merchandise displays as needed to
accommodate new product offerings. Bourdier explained that
the team is inspired by functionality and the spirit of FDNY
when it creates the stunning displays. " When creating displays
we like to show our new items and best-sellers, " she elaborated.
" We are limited to creativity because of the amount of shared
space we have. "
9/11 Memorial Room
The team utilizes various heights within a display to highlight
products. " Our t-shirts are displayed right under a row of foreign
fire helmets. Another display is along our red bright staircase and
features two half mannequins...along with other items like hats and
houseware merchandise, " Bourdier elaborated.
Toys are placed at child-level in order for them to enjoy the
displays, which are placed below the store register. Bourdier said
the store's large, front bay window provides direct sunlight to all its
displays, which helps to highlight product.
She detailed that sourcing and ordering is completed on an
as-needed basis and in small quantities. The only bulk items they
order are the best-sellers, due to the minimal operating budget for
the store.
Unique merchandise is key for this type of retail environment
and it is important to the shoppers. Bourdier suggested retailers in
similar shops could create " items that are unique to your museum
and destination. "
Bourdier estimates that in addition to the museum visitors that
come into the retail shop, approximately 5,000 visitors per year
come into the store for last-minute gifts, as shoppers can access
the store from the street and do not need to tour the museum to
peruse merchandise.
Pandemic Challenges
The past year has been a challenge for the New York City
Fire Museum Bourdier shared. The museum was closed for six
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Summer 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Summer 2021
