Cedar Lee District debuts QR code, mobile site

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published May 1, 2012 by The Heights Observer

By the end of May, visitors to the Cedar Lee district should begin to notice Quick Response (QR) codes displayed in shop windows. Those who scan the square barcodes with their phones will be directed to a new mobile site that aims to inform passers-by about local events and perhaps help them choose their next destination, according to Kelley Robinson, director of the Cedar Lee Special Improvement District (SID).

This Quick Response (QR) code will be displayed by Cedar Lee businesses to direct the district's visitors to the new Cedar Lee mobile site and business directory.

“We’re finding a lot of people are creatures of habit and come to the district but will often go to the same places,” Robinson said, noting that while most people recognize the Cedar Lee Theatre, non-Eastsiders who visit might not know where to find Anatolia Café, for example. The primary purpose of the new QR code and mobile site is to encourage visitors to check out businesses they don’t usually frequent. A convenient directory and map feature will help make navigating the district easy, Robinson said.

When scanned with a smart phone’s camera, a QR code directs the user to a mobile website or app. The use of these visual links has skyrocketed recently, according to Robinson, who pointed out that many local newspaper ads now contain QR codes. They are used to promote products, distribute coupons, aid in the search for missing children, and are even being etched into gravestones to give people a way to digitally revisit memories of the departed. The popular technology is being used in Northeast Ohio for community building, and nearby districts, including Tremont and University Circle, are using mobile marketing, Robinson said.

"Having already established a social media presence, Cedar Lee making a mobile site was a natural next step," she said.

Trend Report: Capitalizing On Cherry Candy

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published May/June 2012 by Candy & Snack TODAY 

Resonating with nostalgic Boomers and consumers looking for cherry varietals, cherry flavored candies are on trend and a valuable option for both everyday and seasonal sets. Associate Editor Kelli Fontenot reports.

CHERRY FLAVOR IS A REAL FORCE in the candy category, and a number of suppliers are capitalizing on consumer interest in sourcing cherries from particular regions. They are also offering variations on cherry by blending it with other classic flavors.

Trends expert Kara Nielsen, of CCD Innovation, tells Candy & Snack TODAY consumers are becoming more aware of the array of fruits available to them.

“More people are learning about Rainier and Montmorency cherries and all the different options, which means candymakers can tap into some of those varieties in the future to develop more distinguished confectionery products,” she explains.

According to food trend researcher The Hartman Group, Inc., tart cherries are appealing to consumers who are hesitant to buy products containing exotic fruits with high antioxidant claims. Hartman says cherries provide the same benefits of reduced inflammation, speeding recovery and overall health without the hype. In fact, the “all-American” cherry is now a favorite among athletes and health-focused consumers, according to the researcher, which adds the industry should expect to see more varietals, including Bing cherries, in the snack food category. 

Dollar Stores: It’s Chic To Save

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published March/April 2012 by Candy & Snack TODAY

In what some are calling the fastest-growing trade class, dollar stores are focused on front ends, maintaining key price points, and offering seasonal options to a growing consumer base.

MAJOR DOLLAR CHAINS are opening stores, remodeling existing locations and attracting a wider shopper base with a focus on adding consumables and targeted candy and snack merchandising. At the same time, they are concentrating on the checkout, clip strips and secondary placement to boost sales.

The four largest U.S. chains — Dollar General Corp.; Dollar Tree, Inc.; Family Dollar Stores, Inc.; and 99 Cents Only Stores — operate 21,500 stores, according to Ann Natunewicz, national manager of retail research for Colliers International. As of mid-2011, the three largest drug chains — Walgreen Co., CVS Caremark Corp. and Rite Aid Corp. — combined to operate 19,700 stores, illustrating the significance of the dollar channel, she says.

Mark Keschl, national director of retail for Colliers, explains: “Five or six years ago, the Walmarts, Targets and Home Depots of the world were adding units and expanding square footage. Those were large in terms of square footage, but in terms of units, it’s nowhere near dollar stores.”

Natunewicz notes candy plays a significant role in dollar stores as an impulse buy.

“Consumers are looking for little indulgences and luxuries,” she says. “If consumers are there more frequently and there’s a good variety of candy in the store, they are more likely to pick it up.”

Illustrating the channel’s potential, Dollar General plans to open about 625 new stores in 2012, in addition to remodeling or relocating about 550, according to Tawn Earnest, senior director, corporate communications. With about 7,200 square feet of selling space, the average Dollar General location offers candy near the cash register, as well as in an aisle within the food assortment, though Earnest says the actual amount of space can vary. 


“Dollar General’s approach to merchandising is simplicity,” Earnest says. “We know our customers are busy, so we set up and merchandise our stores to make locating departments and finding particular items easy.”

Family Dollar expects to open 450 to 500 stores in its next fiscal year, according to Josh Braverman, communication director. Each store features a full candy aisle, as well as candy at checkout and seasonal items merchandised in a promotional aisle, he says.

“Candy and snacks have held a long tradition of importance in our business,” he tells Candy & Snack TODAY. “Years ago, we started with salty snacks and candy, and that’s what people saw our business as, but it allowed us to build a customer base and offer other things.”

At all its stores, which average 7,000 square feet, the retailer is improving lighting, repainting, adding square footage, and renovating the parking lots. “We’re also looking at the adjacencies,” he adds, noting the food section is now next to a food storage section, for example. “It’s a major program aimed at providing our customers with a better shopping experience from end to end.” 

Coventry Street Fair postponed; summer movie series being planned

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published April 26, 2012 by The Heights Observer

The Coventry Street Fair has been postponed until 2013, but enhanced programming for the Coventry Music and Movie Summer Series aims to keep the community engaged, according to Steve Presser, marketing and publicity director for the Coventry Village Special Improvement District (CVSID).

“We’re going to program more things during the evening,” he explained. “What we want to do is bring positive activities to the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Park and get the community to come together and celebrate our neighborhood.”

The summer series, a collaboration between Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Park and the CVSID, will feature movies shown on a 20-foot screen in the park at dusk on Thursday nights beginning in June, through July. Genres range from comedy to action to animated films, and all selections will be family friendly, Presser said.

VIP Interview: Paul Minger, Walgreens

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published March/April 2012 in Candy & Snack TODAY


New candy products and iconic brands draw millions of consumers into Walgreen Co. stores daily. Category Manager Paul Minger says maintaining the perfect balance can increase turn and attract serious sales.

MAINTAINING A BALANCE between new candy products and nationally ranked SKUs is a major focus for Paul Minger, Walgreen Co. category manager, confections purchasing. He has developed strategies that help drive sales and reinforce in shoppers’ minds that the company is both on the cutting edge with new products and is also a consistent source for their favorite mainstream brands.

One example is the retailer’s Item of the Month program that launched a few years ago. Cashiers are encouraged to ask shoppers if they’d like to try a featured candy bar or a new type of gum once they’re at checkout. The program has also promoted items such as flu shots, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and toothbrushes. Minger, who manages confections for about 8,000 stores for Walgreens, tells Candy & Snack TODAY the initiative has been a big success.

“Customers are familiar with it and really enjoy it,” Minger smiles. “We really like to go after new items and limited editions, but it is also about promoting some of those iconic items because sometimes there’s nothing better than a Reese’s bar or a Snickers.” When cashiers engage shoppers by suggesting specific products, it catches their attention, Minger says. The packs are displayed next to the register, and brand extensions are often placed in counter units alongside the main brand to complement the items.

Segment Report: Gummies Move Beyond Peg Bags

by KELLI FONTENOT

Published March/April 2012 in Candy & Snack TODAY

Gummies prosper in peg candy sets, but retailers have more flexibility with count goods, theater boxes and standup bags, while flavor updates and product launches are driving trial. Associate Editor Kelli Fontenot reports.

Gummi sales are increasing, sources report, and updated pack types are taking products beyond peg bags to give retailers more flexibility in terms of merchandising. Filled varieties and interesting flavors in addition to classic bears and worms are driving growth, while industry sources agree new items with unique shapes and a point of difference promote gummies as a key player in non-chocolate candy.

“Gummies are one of the fastest growing non-chocolate segments, and if you go into your typical retailer, they’re devoting many facings to the segment,” reveals Marty Cline, national sales and administrative manager for Mederer U.S.A., Inc. New products and a variety of pack options are compelling growth in the sector, Cline adds.

Supporting this, John Leonardo, senior brand manager, Farley’s & Sathers Candy Co., Inc., cites strong sales growth as a factor in this merchandising shift. Sales of gummies were up 12 percent...

Dropping Pounds, Driving Health

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published January 2012 by the NCA Journal

Implementing a health and wellness program for employees can both help them get fit and potentially lower a company’s medical insurance costs, in addition to a wealth of other intangible benefits.

American Licorice Co.’s Tammie Mitchell, director of human resources, tells the NCA Journal offering such a program is a way to improve employees’ perspectives of the company and change lives for the better. She reveals company associates have shed nearly 1,000 pounds together as part of American Licorice’s “Healthier Tomorrow Than We Are Today” program, and the company has donated that amount in non-perishable food to local food banks to support the initiative.

Associates can participate in annual health screenings, a Biggest Loser-themed contest, and health fairs featuring massage therapists, yoga, acupuncture, and demonstrations of fitness and healthy cooking, she says. American Licorice introduced the initiative in 2007, and has been able to offer reductions on health premiums for participants who meet certain standards, such as reduced blood pressure levels, tobacco use and waist circumference, she explains.

Spangler Candy Co. also provides employees with heart health-focused wellness screenings and free memberships to the YMCA near its Bryan, OH, headquarters, according to Niki Mosier, the company’s director of human capital. The Spangler Fit program helps its employees lose weight and stay active, and this year some 40 percent of associates participated, she notes.

“If we have healthier employees, it will hopefully reduce and lower medical insurance costs,” Mosier explains. “There will be less absenteeism, there’s higher morale, and if they lose weight or have lower cholesterol, they’ll see the benefits of that. Because we care about our employees, we want them and their dependents to be healthy and have healthy lifestyles.”

VIP Buyer Interview: Capitalizing On Impulse

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published November/December 2011 by Candy & Snack TODAY

Taking a new approach to merchandising at the movies, AMC Theatres’ George Patterson is working to put the focus on candy and snacks’ impulse appeal in the chain’s concession areas. 

CANDY MAKES UP approximately 20 percent of the total product mix at concessions in AMC Entertainment, Inc.’s 357 domestic AMC Theatres locations, according to George Patterson, senior vice-president of food and beverage. And considering the mix includes popcorn, snacks, hot foods, soft drinks and even alcohol in some locations, sales of confectionery make a significant contribution to the overall bottom line. Because of this, he says the movie theater chain has been testing a new approach to merchandising for the past two years to focus more on products’ impulse appeal.

“We are redesigning our concession stands so the guest can be in charge,” he tells Candy & Snack TODAY. “At new locations and remodels we’re building today, consumers are able to grab as much candy as they want, bring it to the checkout area and pay for it. Previously, we would reach under the counter and hand it to the customer.”

Straying from the traditional format, where theater boxes are displayed in glass cases and on menu boards, the company has introduced Marketplace, an upscale concession area concept. Designed for theaters with differing layouts, the revamped area allows consumers to walk through an open space and grab their own popcorn, food, beverages, and candy displayed at kiosks and on designated shelf space.

“Instead of a concessionaire or the film crew member doing everything during the transaction, the guest now has more control. We are beginning to see some benefits from that,” Patterson explains. “When the guest is in charge, they buy more candy.”

Eddy's On Coventry opens for business

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published July 12, 2011 by The Heights Observer

A new hair salon has opened in Coventry, aiming to please clients “who place value in details,” said owner Eddy Maddox, one of the original owners of now-closed Fast Eddy’s Chop Shop.

A welcoming atmosphere, friendly service and artistic décor are among the features that Maddox hopes visitors will notice at Eddy’s On Coventry, LLC, in addition to high-quality, full-service hairstyling.

Product lines such as Pureology, Aquage and Redken will be used when styling, and staff will serve visitors homemade cookies and lemon ice water, made with organic lemons, Maddox said. Also focusing on interior design, during construction Maddox added a fireplace mantel, a product storage unit that resembles the side of a barn, and metal art to give the space what he calls an “industrial vintage vibe.” 


“The salon has a warm, homey feeling to it. I’ve brought in some antiques and mixed them in with modern pieces,” Maddox said. “When people come in, I want to give them a great haircut, but I also want to give them a great experience and for them to feel at home.”

The 800-square-foot location houses six cutting stations and employs three stylists—Raqui Brown, who worked for five years at Fast Eddy’s; Renee Bennett, formerly of Crazy Mullets; and Maddox, who has 23 years of experience cutting and styling hair.

YWCA gives permanent housing to former foster girls

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published July 1, 2011 in The Heights Observer

The second floor of the YWCA building on Prospect Avenue has been repurposed to house Cuyahoga County’s young women who have aged out of foster care.
The newly renovated facilities, called Independence Place, include 23 furnished efficiency apartments with kitchenettes, bathrooms, closets and basic household items. In addition, tenants have access to a community room, laundry facilities and a playroom for children.

Godiva Moves Into Mass Market

by KELLI FONTENOTPublished May 2011 by Candy & Snack TODAY

NEW YORK — Premium chocolate supplier Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. is seeing increased sales and continued expansion of its Gems, tablets, bars, Pearls and panned items, says Chris Mattina, vice-president, North American wholesale. The line was developed exclusively for food, drug and mass channels, marking a major departure from the brand’s previous niche in Godiva retail locations and high-end department stores.

With chocolates in standup bags, boxes and bars, the presentations are designed for everyday gifting and self consumption. The move is meant to encourage candy dish behavior, offer convenience, introduce the brand to new consumers and capture brand loyalists in more widespread channels, according to Mattina.

“Growth in premium chocolate has been increasing year in and year out and that really is adding dollars to the category,” he tells Candy & Snack TODAY. “Godiva entering mass is not only adding incrementally to retail sales in the chocolate sector, but is also almost purely incremental to the premium chocolate market. Godiva is one of the most recognizable trademarks in the world from a luxury perspective, so this is a product that has built-in brand recognition.”

The line includes chocolate bars; standup bags of chocolate-panned fruits and nuts; Pearls, which are tins of mini round chocolate pieces; and Gems twist-wrapped truffles, caramels and solid chocolates.

Since its debut, the mass-market line has grown from six Gems SKUs and four bars to eight everyday and two seasonal Gems SKUs and 12 bar varieties. After a soft launch in September 2008, with a phased introduction in drug and grocery, Godiva broadened distribution through 2010 to include drug and food retailers, and is now expanding the line into Target Corp.

“We are the last of the major premium chocolate companies to enter this arena, but we wanted to do it in a very thoughtful and strategic fashion,” Mattina says.

Energy audit grants boost small businesses

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published June 1, 2011 in The Heights Observer

Steve Presser, owner of Big Fun Toy Store in Coventry, is one of the local merchants participating in the Council of Small Enterprises' grant program for energy efficiency education. Photo by Kelli Fontenot

Small business owners who are interested in saving money, improving conditions for their clients and reducing environmental impact can apply to receive one of 85 grants for energy assessments as part of the Ohio Small Business and Energy Efficiency Grant program from Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE). The deadline for applications is June 15.

According to Tim Kovach, COSE’s energy product coordinator, the $500 grants will be given to 85 businesses in Ohio, primarily in Cuyahoga and Lake counties; the Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo metro areas; and counties in Southeast Ohio.

The program, which was funded by a $100,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development, aims to educate businesses with fewer than 100 employees about energy efficiency, Kovach said.

Through the program, business owners complete assessments that reveal how energy costs add up, what upgrades are possible, how much they cost, and what the long-term benefits are. Thirty-five businesses that qualify for the first grant can get an additional $350 scholarship for certification through the Green Plus program from the Institute for Sustainable Development.

"Green Plus helps businesses to review their operations to determine how they can become more effective and efficient, and how sustainability can be incorporated into that plan," Kovach explained. "I like to view it as a comprehensive business improvement program. It is more than just an effort to green one’s business; it looks at the business’s performance, how it relates to its employees and the community, and what impact it leaves on the environment."

Big Fun Toy Store in Coventry Village is among the businesses that are participating in the program. Energy efficiency might not be one of the first things to spring to shoppers’ minds amid the extraordinary array of memorabilia, hard-to-find candy, retro magnets and quirky gifts sold in the city’s iconic toy store. But establishing a positive atmosphere for customers and reducing environmental impact are top priorities for Steve Presser, the store’s owner.

Heights Guitars' new owners expand offerings

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published February 1 in The Heights Observer.

A variety of instruments at Heights Guitars

Heights Guitars, the instrument shop at 2128 Lee Road, is now operating under new ownership, but it still exudes a welcoming atmosphere to accommodate regulars and newcomers. Customers amble in to chat and try out the new merchandise at the store, which offers a wide range of instruments and accessories, and specializes in hard-to-find vintage items and instrument repair.

Former Heights Guitars owner Gregory Stiles died last February. John Carden and Jim Ross, who operate the Vintage City shop in Toledo, took ownership of the Heights store in October, which employs salespeople and repair techs.

Varying musical tastes help the store’s sales staff cater to local buyers, according to Samantha Wandtke, district manager for Heights Guitars and Vintage City. Wandtke, who is also a vocalist and drummer for the local rock band Fangs Out, notes her style differs from that of the new store manager, local resident Darrell Branch. His genre of choice, she says, is bluegrass, a perfect fit for the shop’s roots.

“When we took over, it was more of a bluegrass boutique-style shop,” Wandtke said, explaining that the store now carries drums, keyboards, wind and brass instruments, and an expanded assortment of accessories. “We’re now a full-on instrument store.”

With guitars ranging in price from $40 to $5,000, recognizable Fender and Gibson electrics line the showroom walls. But the store also aims to maintain its local, little-guy style, seeking vintage and locally handcrafted items, as well as products from suppliers in Akron and other nearby cities.

Unique products at the shop include a Burgundy Mist Gibson ES 335 12-string, an 1890 Harp parlor guitar, a 1920s Ditson banjo-mando and a Gibson GA-5 Les Paul Jr. amplifier from 1956. The shop also offers vintage pedals from manufacturers Boss, Electro-Harmonix and Morley. 

Make a wish: 4-year-old cancer patient gets dream treehouse

by KELLI FONTENOT

Published December 1 in The Heights Observer

A custom-built treehouse, completed this fall by Make-A-Wish Foundation volunteers, is a dream come true for 4-year-old Austin Gallagher, who has cancer of the kidneys.
Even before entering kindergarten, Austin has already lived through more hospital visits, CT scans and surgeries than many people do in a lifetime. In 2007, when a visit to the doctor showed something unusual in his X-ray, one pediatrician recommended a trip to see a pediatric cardiologist. After thorough investigation, parents Mark and Krissy Gallagher received Austin’s diagnosis: bilateral Wilms tumor, which affects both kidneys and usually requires partial or complete kidney removal.
Three years, six abdominal surgeries, and 130 days in the hospital later, Austin became one of about 200,000 children Make-A-Wish has reached out to during the past 30 years.

Documentary sheds light on successful minority-owned businesses

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published September 1 in The Heights Observer
If a documentary’s story is not worth telling, flashy cinematography and dramatic music won’t overcome an audience’s lack of interest, according to Tim Gaydos, a videographer for a new documentary by local filmmaking group Educo Films.
In this case, Gaydos said, the subject matter speaks for itself.
The 30-minute documentary, a concept developed by the company’s producer, Stephon J. Davis, aims to educate viewers about how to support and create successful African American-owned businesses in the Cleveland Heights area.
“I found a lot of times I was standing there with the camera, listening in, and I forgot I was there filming it,” Gaydos said. “I got sucked into what they’re saying because it’s so interesting. The point they’re making and discussing is so valuable. It comes across very well in terms of engaging the audience.”
The film company takes its name from a Latin word meaning “to draw forth or bring out.” Davis said that definition echoes the goal of the new documentary, “Creating Successful Black Owned Businesses.”

Candy In Combat Zones

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published in the May/June 2010 issue of Candy & Snack TODAY

In areas of conflict, candy serves as a welcome boost of energy for hard-charging soldiers, a valuable reminder of home and a bridge-builder to the local population.

In a massive show of support, suppliers, retailers, individuals and volunteer organizations send out millions of care packages and cases of candy to U.S. troops each year. John Hanson, senior vice-president of marketing and communications at the United Service Organizations (USO), reveals it sent almost two million care packages in 2009.

“Chocolate and candy have been a part of the military experience for a long, long time,” he says, noting candy ties in with the overall purpose of care packages, which he says is to let troops know U.S. citizens are thinking about them and hoping for their safe return. He says the USO looks for items that stand up to the conditions in combat zones and provide a lift to soldiers both physically and mentally.

Grant aids Fairmount Group expansion

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published May 3 in The Heights Observer

Entrepreneur Dawn Hanson’s company, The Fairmount Group, will be going global with much greater ease because of a grant from British Airways.

Fairmount Group received one of the 100 Business Opportunity grants given out by British Airways. It will enable Hanson to travel to Europe, meet with clients and expand her business from her small office in Cleveland Heights to cities in Finland and Denmark. The company conducts market research, manages brands and plans special events.

The grant includes airfare for 10 round-trip business class flights, five global shipments with British Airways World Cargo and $1,000 in hotel accommodations at Courtyard by Marriott.

Walk aims to conquer childhood cancer

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published April 6 in The Heights Observer
The first CureSearch walk in Cleveland, planned for May 8 at Wade Oval from 9 to 11:30 a.m., will raise awareness and funding for childhood cancer research.
Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children, according to CureSearch. The organization, which works with the Children’s Oncology Group and National Childhood Cancer Foundation to fund research, will play a major role in the Northeast Ohio CureSearch Walk to Conquer Childhood Cancer, according to cochair Stephen Crowley.
Crowley and his wife, Cynthia Van Lenten, are organizing the walk. Posters advertising the event feature photographs of their daughter, Olivia, who was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in 2002. She was 7 years old. For the next three years, she underwent treatment, including chemotherapy in hospitals from Memphis to New York. Described by her father as a vibrant child who loved soccer and wanted to be a comedian, she died in 2005.
"She was full of life, and it made it really hard to see that something like this could happen to somebody like that," Crowley said. "My wife and I did everything we could to try to save her. We spent a lot of energy and resources trying to find a cure for her, so we decided to put the same energy and work into trying to help other children and other families."

TavCo’s new owner launches upscale menu

by KELLI FONTENOT
Published March 2 in The Heights Observer
The Tavern Company has a new owner and a new menu.
Chris Armington, who worked for 12 years at Brennan’s Colony as a bartender, server and manager, now owns The Tavern Company, also known as TavCo. “It’s always been a dream of mine to own my own business,” he says.
After signing the papers last November, his dream came true, and in January, Armington introduced a new menu for 2010. “If you’re a bar on Lee Road, you have to have wings and burgers, so we do that. But we also wanted to offer things that are a little more high end, and not be like every other bar on Lee Road.”
Additions to the menu—such as the seared tuna sandwich with orange pickled fennel and tarragon aioli on a crispy portabella mushroom bun, which replaces the old menu’s tuna melt—provide a more sophisticated take on the restaurant’s previous offerings.

Social Media: Reaching Out To Consumers

by KELLI FONTENOT

Published in the November/December issue of Candy and Snack Today magazine

The Internet connects suppliers and retailers with millions of consumers every day. Discover how networking sites can gauge shoppers’ attitudes, raise brand awareness and reinforce positive associations with the category.

As candy retailers and suppliers explore sites such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, they are realizing their impact on brand awareness and company credibility.

Social media is definitely sparking consumers, with more than 105 million in the U.S. using these sites. What’s more, two out of three participants in a recent social media marketing industry report noted an increase in web site traffic, subscribers or opt-in lists after investing just six hours per week.