Filling an important role

From the very beginning, when Seaside Retailer launched, it has always included expert columnists. Our avid readers have become familiar with Taking Stock by Natalie Tan; Customers Count by Tom Borg; and Retailer Reflections by Cathy Donovan Wagner.

These experts in their field add a lot of wisdom to each issue through their experiences in working in and with the retail industry. I am truly thankful for the valuable insights and advice they provide.

And after four years of sharing her expert merchandising advice through the column Taking Stock, Natalie Tan has made a career change and has stepped down as a columnist. We are very appreciative of the wonderful tips she has provided beach, coastal and nautical retailers over the years and wish her the best in her new endeavors.

When you turn to the Taking Stock column in this issue, you will see a new face. However, if you were an attendee of the January Coastal Connections Conference or happened to be at the Inis Huntington Beach store grand opening last year, which his firm designed, he may already be familiar.

We are pleased to announce that Michael Hale, founder of Retail REHAB, will be continuing the Taking Stock column with his unique take on visual merchandising that has helped so many travel retailers and destination retail environments.

Over his 30-year career, he has worked with clients ranging from large corporations to small business owners in the travel retail industry. His clients have included Inis, Princess Cruises, Lowes Resorts and Sheraton Hotels and the gift shop at the Empire State Building, to name a few.

“Travel retail and destination retail environments have a unique ideology and Retail REHAB understands that,” Hale says. “A retail space is an extension of the guests’ experience and the property’s brand image. Tying all of that into effective space planning and product placement helps lead his clients to success.”

We want to give Hale a warm welcome to Seaside Retailer magazine, and we look forward to a great future together. If you’d like to hear more from Hale and get the opportunity to win a free one-on-one consultation with him, I encourage you to register for the Coastal Connections Conference, Oct. 22-24 in Orlando. He will be presenting an hour-long session titled, “Visual Merchandising Tips and Tricks.” One attendee will win a free consultation with him after the session.

With his specialized background and experience, Seaside Retailer couldn’t have found a more fitting person to continue the Taking Stock column, and we look forward to him putting his mark on this important contribution to the magazine.

Karen Carr Publisher & Creative Director karen@breakwallpublishing.com 330-591-2575

Kristin Ely Executive Editor & Conference Director kristin@breakwallpublishing.com 858-684-7744

Katie Turner Business Development Manager katie@breakwallpublishing.com 219-206-1140

Caroline Risi Managing Editor caroline@breakwallpublishing.com 610-209-9881

Jamie Winebrenner Sales Manager jamie@breakwallpublishing.com 330-269-5875

Lee White Sales Manager lee@breakwallpublishing.com 609-415-0200

Debby Clarke Ad Production Coordinator debby@breakwallpublishing.com 856-816-6346

Gabby Pagura Accounts Receivable accounting@breakwallpublishing.com 330-368-2047

Brooke Bilyj

Contributing Editor brooke@breakwallpublishing.com

Kristen Hampshire

Contributing Editor khampshire@breakwallpublishing.com

Mary Elizabeth Williams-Villano

Contributing Editor mary@breakwallpublishing.com

Tom Borg Columnist tom@tomborg.com

Michael Hale Columnist michael@retail-rehab.com

Cathy Donovan Wagner Columnist cathy@retailmavens.com

Seaside Retailer is published six times a year by: Breakwall Publishing LLC 3593 Medina Rd. #117 Medina, OH 44256

Subscriptions and address changes: Seaside Retailer magazine P.O. Box 3000 Denville, NJ 07834 subscriptions@breakwallpublishing.com

Entire contents copyright 2023 Breakwall Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

Dune Jewelry founder opens gift boutique

Holly Daniels Christensen, founder and CEO of Dune Jewelry, an experiential jewelry company famous for using sand and earth elements from thousands of memorable and iconic locations around the world, opened her first gift boutique in Norwood, Massachusetts. A grand opening party was held July 6, 2023.

The boutique is located in the same building as Dune’s jewelry studio where each piece of jewelry as well as accessories are handcrafted.

“I am thrilled to open my shop in Norwood, next to Dune’s design and manufacturing studio,” says Christensen. “It’s a beach-themed boutique that is committed to presenting a collection of products that inspire mind, body and spirit. We also strive to highlight goods that are environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced.”

Christensen adds that in addition to an array of Dune jewelry, “the store carries a wide variety of products, including luxurious soy candles, True Ocean natural bath and body products, Barefoot Dreams throws and socks, Kitsch eco-friendly haircare, handmade olive wood kitchenware, literature and journals, artisanal coffees and teas, and so much more — there are great gifts for men and women.”

Social Media takes center stage at Coastal Connections Conference

The Coastal Connections Conference has announced Crystal Vilkaitis, owner of Crystal Media, a leading digital marketing company for the retail industry, will present a session during the event, Oct. 22-24, at the Margaritaville Resort in Orlando.

Vilkaitis is a world-class social media expert and powerful speaker who helps retailers shine online and bring their unique brilliance to the local and global masses. Fueling retailers with confidence to grow their visibility and results, Vilkaitis is on a mission to help Main Street businesses thrive.

She founded Crystal Media in 2012, where she’s worked with thousands of retailers to increase traffic, sales and profits using social media. She’s shared the stage with industry giants like Martha Stewart, Gary Vaynerchuk, Bethenny Frankel and Jim Kwik, and hosts the show Rooted in Retail, covering retail-centric topics like marketing, money, mindset and more.

The session, titled, It’s Your Time to Shine Online!” takes place Monday, Oct. 23, from 2 to 3 p.m. During the session, Vilkaitis shares the proven framework for more meaningful and consistent social media results.

Attendees will learn how to stop being the best-kept secret and start operating their social media with a plan. Like many retailers, you might be stuck in the same routines — posting the same kind of content to the same people and you’re probably getting the same ol’ results.

In this session, get ready to jumpstart your social selling mindset and finally create meaningful and real results through social media! You’ll adapt how you currently think about social media and leave with the actual framework you need to confidently commit to making a change to your strategy. Gain clarity on:

1. The real reasons why your social does/does not work

2. The easy Daily 5 process (5 steps, 5 minutes or less/day)

3. What will motivate you to stay consistent

4. How to get your team involved

5. The most effective ways to PLAN

“Seaside retailers should attend the Coast Connections Conference to connect with like-minded retailers, learn about the latest industry trends and discover new ways to leverage social media,” says Vilkaitis. “My session will empower attendees to have more confidence in their social media efforts by demonstrating how to effectively drive real results like increased traffic and sales, while saving time and hassle. Attendees will leave feeling inspired and motivated to take action on what they learn, equipped with the practical tools and tips they need to succeed!”

“Knowing how to use social media effectively is critical in today’s competitive retail world, but many retailers are intimidated,” says Kristin Ely, Coastal Connections Conference director. “Crystal’s unique approach helps retailers overcome their fears and show up online consistently leading to more traffic and more sales. This is a can’t-miss session for coastal retailers.”

Check out more on the amazing speaker lineup and events that are part of the Coastal Connections Conference on page 26. Early bird rates are still available. Register by visiting www.coastalconnectionsconference.com.

C&F Enterprises welcomes Rightside Design to family of brands

Leading home and gift company, C&F Enterprises, says it is thrilled to welcome Rightside Design to the C&F family of brands.

Rightside Design’s captivating line of coastal home decor is a perfect complement to C&F’s existing market presence in the coastal gift and decor market and will offer customers an additional aesthetic in pillows, table linens and other decorative accessories.

The addition of Rightside Design solidifies C&F as a go-to company for all things coastal, including upscale home decor to fun vacation souvenirs, according to a press release by C&F.

“Rightside Design’s elegant aesthetic adds additional depth and variety to our already expansive array of coastal designs for the home,” says Colleen Hall, vice president of marketing for C&F “We believe this line will not only appeal to our current customer base but also introduce new customers to the C&F brands. We look forward to helping tell Rightside Design’s story.”

Rightside Design has been designing small-batch, limited-run products that connect its customers’ homes to the natural world around them as a family run business for the last 12 years.

Founder Lynn McKernan will continue leading the brand and design process for the line, employing her unique design sense. She’ll work alongside current C&F business and operations teams to expand the line’s market presence and facilitate continued growth. The extensive selection of outdoor pillows currently offered by Rightside Design aligns well with C&F’s current expansion initiative in the outdoor living category, according to McKernan.

No stranger to the coastal market, C&F will integrate Rightside Design into its infrastructure and leverage the existing C&F sales force. Rightside Design will sit alongside C&F Home and Beachcomber’s Coastal Life in showrooms starting this summer.

“We are confident that this collaboration will produce incredible products that will truly capture the spirit of coastal living,” says Jimmy Fang, executive vice president of C&F Enterprises.

Caloosa WaterWear opens wholesale showroom in Boca Raton, Florida

Caloosa WaterWear, a performance clothing brand based in Boca Raton, Florida, has announced the opening of its new wholesale showroom in Boca Raton, Florida.

The new wholesale showroom features a wide range of Caloosa WaterWear’s signature apparel, Ultra Comfort Shirts, fashion T-shirts and tank tops, drinkware, accessories and more. Buyers will be able to see and order the latest styles in person, making the purchasing process even more streamlined.

“We’re excited to open our new wholesale showroom and provide our retail partners with a physical location to see our products and place orders,” says Rebecca Fordham, founder of Caloosa WaterWear. “We believe this showroom will strengthen our relationships with our retail buyers and allow us to continue to grow our brand.”

The new showroom is conveniently located in Boca Raton, just minutes away from popular shopping destinations and major highways. With its bright and modern design, the showroom creates a professional and welcoming atmosphere for retail buyers to browse and select products, according to Fordham.

In addition to showcasing its products, Caloosa WaterWear’s wholesale showroom also features the Caloosa Design studio where the products are designed and printed on-site. This allows for buyers to easily customize their orders and to see firsthand the different printing techniques available.

The Hippie Fish Boutique spreads more happiness with expansion

The Hippie Fish Boutique on Dauphin Island in Alabama has moved to a new location at 1814 Bienville Blvd., and building and store owner Kim Stevens says the bigger, higher visibility store will be ready for the season.

With spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico, the new, elevated building replaces a rented store on a side street that needed significant repair.

Dauphin Island has aways had a special place in Stevens’ heart, as she visited the island for the beach, boating and birding with her family, when she was a teen and with her own children. For as long as she could remember, Stevens wanted a little shop on the island. The first store was an abandoned, run down bait shop that she rented and renovated.

“With all its flaws I saw the potential. I saw my shop,” she says of her first store. “Over the years we added a little here, rearranged a little there and kept trying to make it a warm happy place for our team and our customers.”

She adds, “Meeting and working with local artists and being a local allowed us to create a unique Dauphin Island feel, which made me happy, and I looked forward to passing this ‘happy’ along to our many visitors and friends,” she says.

Stevens will continue passing on the good vibrations at the new location. The store is on a main thoroughfare with a much higher traffic count and is near several condos.

“Our new layout has increased shopping square footage and additional storage. The floor space has allowed us to add several new product lines and the additional storage allows us to have more product on hand,” she says.

Stevens says the store’s customers are 6 to 80 and beyond. “We want each of our customers to take home ‘a happy,’” she says. “By carrying custom Dauphin

Island designs featuring local artists, and unique Dauphin Island pieces, we hope they find that special item and remember the time at the Hippie Fish and their time on the island.”

The boutique’s merchandise includes original T-shirts offering unique Dauphin Island features, custom-designed Hippie Fish shirts, artwork from local artists, candles, name-brand and locally made jewelry, custom soaps and unique home decor items.

BY MICHAEL HALE