By offering locally made goods, a diverse eco-friendly selection and sustainable shopping bags
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Berkley, Michigan, April 11, 2008 - Watching guests walk out the door daily with purchased goods in gift bags and boxes brought an idea to mind for local gift shop Catching Fireflies owner April McCrumb; Why not encourage customers to bring them back and if they do, give them a discount on their purchase plus a discount on a sustainable bag trade in?
In August McCrumb started an inspirational "going green saves you green" campaign. Every box or paper bag was eligible to be brought back and if customers brought back two they'd get one buzz buck valid towards their next purchase. In addition, if their gift purchases totaled over $30 they'd get half off a sustainable shopping bag to carry their goodies.
Energized by the "going green saves you green" promotion McCrumb turned her attention to reducing the store's carbon footprint by changing her buying habits. Stocking the shop with more locally made items was one natural step. Today, about a quarter of goods sold in the store are made locally. This reduces shipping and freight distances and keeps carbon emissions down. Some of the local artists include tile artisan Gretchen Kramp of Royal Oak, clock maker Duane Scherer of Lathrup Village, sculptor Dena Gillespie of Clawson and recycled media artist Marsha Filipiak, who makes angels out of old bowling pins.
To boot, the majority of locally made art wares sold come direct from McCrumb's wholesale company a.i. paper design, operating just down the street. "In that case there is no shipping to worry about. When the store gets low on a.i. paper design inventory, we just fill up the car and swing by the store as we travel home from the studio... it's less than a mile away."
Beyond the many locally produced art wares, the store has a diverse selection of products made from recycled materials. One popular new item is a wine glass made from a reclaimed wine bottle. The Wisconsin based company collects bottles from local wineries, restaurants and festivals, and using their patented technique turns them into gorgeous glasses and goblets. Another company is Resource Revival of Oregon whose line of gadgets created from old bicycle chains has created quite the buzz among cycling enthusiasts.
In addition to offering green options for packaging and products, McCrumb also keeps Mother Earth in mind when it comes to merchandising. The majority of the displays at both store locations, Berkley and Rochester, are created from old doors, windows and other flea market finds. Repurposing these items means one less item that makes it way to a landfill or dump.
Catching Fireflies wants to work towards a greener Earth. To learn more about owner/artist April McCrumb and her green ideas, visit her blog or website at www.catchingfireflies.com. You can also stopover in person to either Catching Fireflies store, 3117 W. 12 Mile in Berkley or 203 E. University Drive in Rochester. Store hours are Monday - Saturday 10-6 and Thursday 10-8
Care to interview April?
Contact her a 1 800 414 1654 or by email at studio@aipaper.com