Editor's Journal

It's August and the "Heat Goes On" along with the rain!

Hello friends, I hope you are having a grand summer and that the weather is cooperating at your shows. To take a few liberty's with the fab Sonny and Cher hit ... it's August and the "Heat Goes On". Even with the perennial high temperatures the month is known for, August can be a spectacular month for bringing out the public. Fun-seekers of all ages including families with kids soon to start back to school, are often looking to squeeze in a few more of those fun-packed, sunny summer getaways before Labor Day and back to 'business as usual' at home.

This year, however, it isn't all sun and silver linings out there. I know many of you have had to do some quick-step adjusting to deal with weather related issues affecting your summer shows. We've had some extreme weather this year, from early season flooding across the Midwest to a near record high number of devastating tornadoes. In the mix we've seen serious wild fires, landslides and tropical storms. This week, in fact, authorities are evacuating tourists along with residents in Southern Florida ahead of Tropical Storm Fay which is threatening to become a hurricane at any time.

Global warming effects? I don't know about that. I do know that this summer has been harder than we have seen in many years from a weather stand point. Quite a few events were canceled, others had to close early, and the threat of foul conditions have made many people shy away from outdoor venues in favor of other leisure activities that aren't affected by mother nature.

I heard recently from a vendor, Karen P., an antique dealer from Kentucky who was looking for ideas to help keep her two year old business afloat. She sells in an antique mall; does one large show 60 miles from home each month; and is a single lady with a son in college. She's a one woman show who's finding it increasingly hard to keep up with the cost of doing business in a competitive industry, with economic factors, especially gasoline nipping at her profits. She's already booked into a fall festival (her first) that has a great reputation. Her non-refundable booth money has been paid. She will be in a tent and she is admits to being more than a little worried about the weather, even though the festival isn't until mid-September.

I really don't have an answer for the weather issue other than Jim and I always took our plastic sheeting, clamps and other precautionary materials and went "on with the show" no matter what. We lost our shirts one year at the VP Fair in St. Louis when we lost about 45% of our inventory to flooding from rain!

I did however suggest that Karen look for another person to do the festival with (rules of the event permitting). If the other person has non-competing lines this could work out well. Traveling in one vehicle and sharing gas, lodging if necessary and set-up expenses are other things that could make a big difference to her bottom line. I also recommended that she take as many $20.00 and under items as she is comfortable with($10.00 and under would be even better.)

From my own experience, even in tough economic times people still turn out for events, but they will do more window shopping of merchandise and less buying. They may daydream about a $200 antique stained glass window in one booth, but will buy a $10 stained glass suncatcher from another, keeping close tabs on their money while still quenching the yearning for vintage stained glass!

If anyone else has ideas that would be helpful for Karen or other dealers in her shoes please drop me a line and I will pass them along in a future column. Likewise, if weather has been a factor this year for you as it has for so many dealers I would like to hear from you about your experiences as well! Send to georgia @ goodridgeguides.com.

A special NCE welcome to our newest advertiser Mr. Ken McQuinn of Big Hit, Inc. and his Wild Tail product, a really cool b/o pet toy that looks like it would send my daughters cat Tiger into a happy kitty frenzy! Looks like a wonderful demo product for fairs and festivals! If you are looking for a neat, well constructed, pet industry recognized and approved toy - give Ken a call and talk to him about Wild Tail at (800) 953-8245.

Our sincere condolences go out to the friends and family of Lolita A. Mock, owner and operator of Jamie's Flea Market in Amherst, Ohio. Ms Mock succumbed to injuries she suffered in a car accident. She was 76 years old. Mock and her late husband Ralph bought the flea market in 1983 and expanded the business to become one of Amherst's landmarks and a popular market which often draws 10,000 people on market days. A spokesperson said that the flea market will continue to be run by family members.

Until next time -

Here's to great sales and may your travels bring you home safely!

Georgia Goodridge

NCE Editor