Lyn Hits Main Street Libertyville
 Lyn and our new retail operations & customer service consultant, Bambi Grajek-Specter, headed to Libertyville earlier this month to share strategies to revive and renew Main Street.
The National Main Street Center recently relocated from Washington DC to Chicago, so Carloyn Dellutrim, Senior Director of Programs and Services of the National Main Street Center, attended the workshop as well. Lyn and Bambi will hit the road again on March 11th as they head to Jacksonville, Illinois to have a similar discussion with participants from the southern area of the state.
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Retailworks Specializes in
Customer-Friendly Interior Design 
Did you happen to catch the nice write-up Alexandra Whittaker of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel did on Lyn and Retailworks for the business section of the Sunday Journal last week? If not, you can read it here. We love how photographer Mark Hoffman captured spring display pieces in the photo. Who knew Lyn looked so good with bunnies? She does keep things hopping, that's for sure!
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Product Profile: Pfeifer Studio
Holley uncovered this little gem recently and it is too good not to share. Peifer Studio is a small retail shop located in New Mexico. They specialize in working with designers to offer unique, customizable pieces directly to the consumer. In dong so, they keep prices reasonable and offer earth-friendly products.
One of Holley's favorites: this solid wood Gonzales Stool Table made out of Ponderosa Pine, h arvested primarily in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. Available in a variety of finishes, Peifer Studio boasts that most products are completed and ready to ship within 10 days. Unique, affordable, contemporary and fun. Just another reason we want to split from this Wisconsin winter and head south to check them out in person. An online catalog is the next best thing!
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Client Spotlight: Purple Door Ice Cream
We've been working with a company that has been getting a lot of national recognition lately! When Jetsetter.com came up with their Where to Go in 2014 list, Milwaukee scored spot #4 in part due to Purple Door Ice Cream!
They moved out of their old location at Clock Shadow Creamery late last month and look forward to a grand opening at their new location this spring. We are confident there will, indeed, be a spring. Mother Nature, herself, will want to bring on the ice cream!
Their retail operation will be shut down until mid-March as they prepare their new space at 138 W Bruce Street in Milwaukee. But don't worry you can still find them at restaurants and grocery stores in the Milwaukee area. Check out their yummy flavors here.
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Meet Bambi!
You may have noticed Bambi Grajek-Specter's name mentioned throughout our newsletter this month. We recently welcomed Bambi on to the Retailworks team as a retail operations and customer service consultant and we couldn't be happier with the wealth of knowledge she brings to the table.
Bambi has experience in inventory management, merchandise buying, communications management, small business ownership and store operations. She has held management positions at the Milwaukee Art Museum, Alterra/Collectivo, The Limited, and Lands End Catalog Company.
Lyn looks forward to hitting the road with Bambi, whose sunny disposition makes even this glum winter seem a bit less dreary. In her spare time, Bambi enjoys cooking. She has an extensive food background, having started a catering company in Santa Rosa, CA, and co-owned two deli/bakery/cafes along the way.
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Our Next Milwaukee Retail Rally is this Monday!
Don't miss speaker Bambi Grajek-Specter as she shares secrets of the trade learned from her years at the Milwaukee Art Museum where she served as Director of Store Operations and then as Director of Visitor Experience on the senior management team.
Other dynamic speakers include Tom Harris, owner of the Great Frame Up and Gallery 505 in Whitefish Bay; and Sam Watt, the grandson of the legendary George Watts, and current CEO of George Watts & Son.
Being held at the historic Schlitz Park from 7:30 to noon, it will be the best 4/12 hours you spend this month! You can register here.
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Did you Know?
Main Street ChallengeThe City of Spartanburg, South Carolina created a contest to drum up new business on Main Street.
Applicants submit a well-thought out business idea that they are willing to execute. If chosen as the winner, they will receive an estimated $20,000 in financial support and in-kind support and services from local businesses and supporters.
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Display Tip
Build a Pyramid
Need to draw attention to a new product line? Build a pyramid!
Stack to form a triangle (a 2-D pyramid) or make a 3-D pyramid. Your eye is automatically drawn to the peak, then it moves throughout the entire display. The repetition of the products/packaging quickly allows your mind to absorb and process the product on display.
Repetition is one of the strongest "principles of design" when it comes to attracting attention and creating a memorable image in the mind.
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"Never underestimate the power of a well-designed environment." ~Lyn Falk
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