BIZZ BUZZ

Hot on the heels of the Toronto International Film Festival comes an opportunity for teens and tweens in the Hamilton area to have their own chance to rock the red carpet.  Next weekend on September 26 and 27, Lime Ridge Mall is hosting a “Red Carpet Experience” event.  Aspiring Hollywood stars will be able to strut along the red carpet while the paparazzi snap photos of them wearing their favourite back-to-school outfits, purchased from the mall’s retailers.  Participants will get mini hair and make-up makeovers before their grand appearance, and also receive swag bags filled with gifts and discount coupons. 

Red carpet snapshots will be posted on the Lime Ridge web site, with an on-line contest for best pose in different age categories (7-11, 12-14 and 15-18), and for kids on their own, with their best friend and in groups of three to eight.  Entrants who receive the most votes in each category will receive a $250 Cadillac Fairview shop!™ card gift card, a $100 gift card from H&M and other great prizes.  They’ll also be invited to a special shopping day with a personal stylist, to be videotaped and posted on the Lime Ridge Mall web site.  To participate, entrants must have a parent sign a permission form.  Official contest rules are posted on the Lime Ridge Mall web site at www.limeridge.ca

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It seems that every month or so, a new shop opens on Locke Street.  The latest is Epic Books at 226 Locke Street South.  Owner Jaime Krakowski realized a long-time dream of owning an independent bookstore after tiring of her commute to Toronto to work as a media buyer for an advertising agency and noticing a “For Sale” sign on the building that formerly housed Decades antiques.  She bought the building, quit her job and spent several months developing a business plan, undertaking renovations, obtaining inventory and preparing her shop for its opening last week.  “I’m loving it,” Jaime says of her new venture.  “I’ve had a lot of positive feedback and requests for special book orders.”  She notes that her market research demonstrated a need for more independent book sellers in Hamilton and looks forward to serving customers in the southwest area of the city and beyond.

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Over in the east end of the city, Wesley Fletcher has opened Decorum, a candle, antique and gift store at 337 Ottawa Street North.  Products available for purchase include scented candles, stylish home décor and vintage furnishings and collectibles.  After working for antique dealerships at a young age and later developing an interest in the craft of candle making, Wesley decided to open Decorum, fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning a shop.  “The boutique will appeal mostly to local shoppers looking for a place to purchase unique merchandise for the home at an affordable price,” he says.  He adds that Ottawa Street is “the perfect place to be.  Ottawa Street has a quaint hometown atmosphere and there’s a lot of buzz over antiques and home design going on there right now.”

 Tricia Hellingman is president of Hellingman Communications, a Hamilton-based public relations and marketing agency.  You can email her at thellingman@hellingman.com.  BizzBuzz appears every other Friday.