IGES Features: Name-Dropped Merchandise Section

Name-Dropped Merchandise (From page 122) others,” the manager noted. Sweatshirts in particular are a favorite in winter time, when visitors are often surprised by chilly rain. “We sell a lot more that have the zoo name, because if you’re going to get a sweatshirt, you might as well get a souvenir at the same time,” Colley pointed out.

That’s why so many items are name-dropped at the Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves in North Woodstock, N.H. Best-selling logo items at the gift shop include magnets, shot glasses, limited edition T-shirts, bear and moose figurines, and fancy chocolates in the shapes of river rocks.

“People are just more excited to buy things that have our name on it,” said Assistant Manager Pamela Wintturi . She displays items by theme, with apparel in one section and rocks and minerals in another. “We’ve kind of divided the space into two sides,” she explained, “with more of the adult items to one side and the kids’ items to the other.” That way, it’s easier for shoppers to find what they’re looking for.

Name-dropped unisex clothing is the top seller at many cave and zoo stores, and Hidden River Cave and American Cave Museum in Horse Cave, Ky., is no exception. Buyer Logan Wilder said the most popular T-shirt is printed a rainbow graphic and the words “Sunset Zone, Hidden River, Kentucky. “

Wilder and his colleagues have found that adult apparel sells better than kids’ clothing, and order accordingly. Price point is also a huge factor; the store recently settled on logo shot glasses in the $10 range. To catch the eyes of shoppers, logo merchandise is displayed on glass shelving amid sparkly rocks and minerals.

And while tees and sweatshirts are the tried-andtrue favorites, Wilder said the Hidden Rivers store has had a hit this year with wood-cut, laser-engraved wooden trinkets from the Country View Creations line. “In particular, we’ve sold a lot of Christmas ornaments that have our logo on them,” Wilder said. “People buy those all year long.” ❖