Store angles for distinctive items

Buying trips give multitude of choices to offer patrons

By: Noelle Rulesh, Herald Times Reporter

Name of business: A>Cute Angle

Ownership: Anne and Deb McCracken

When business started: March 2005

Location: 1011 Washington St., Manitowoc

Phone number: (920) 686-1330

Web site: Under construction

Hours and days of operation: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Saturday; open on
Sundays in November and December

Services provided-products sold: Tucked in off the beaten track on Washington Street lies a hidden treasure of what the owners like to think of as "unexpected necessities."

A>Cute Angle is filled with cards, gift items and clothing at reasonable prices. Anne McCracken and her mother, Deb, seek out fun and unique items on buying trips to New York City, Atlanta and Chicago.

Anne's idea was to add a baby line to their business, and that line has grown the most. Zutano is the anchor children's clothing line with sizes from newborn to 24 months. The company uses dye lots that mix and match with each new season of clothing.

The Trumpette child's clothing line includes accessories, socks and raincoats with matching boots and umbrellas. Bearington includes soft furry coats, which sell for $29.95. Deb and Anne make a special effort to seek out cute clothing for boys.

Mullins Square carries specialty bibs, and Rich Frog includes themed slippers with books. They believe any child would enjoy webbed-feet slippers and the book "I Wish I Had Duck Feet." The store also sells Riley Roos shoes.

Stuffed animals, toys, and games include the Topsy Turvy Dolls, and quality Eeboo games for children 3 to 8 years old.

New lines will join the children's section this fall, including Angel Dear sweaters and jackets.

The mother-and-daughter team are always on the look out for new baby items. Anne found a tiny baby bottle cleverly used for dispensing medicine.

A>Cute Angle also features junior clothing lines, such as BB Dakota, Tulle, Nick & Mo and Loyal Army. The reversible sweatshirts by Billabong have proven to be popular, as have the Poketo artsy wallets.

The missy section includes separates from Habitat, 600 West, Think Tank and Rafaella. The store also carries Foxcroft blouses, Echo scarves, gloves and swimsuit cover-ups, and the Taylor Brooke Dream Jean from sizes 2 to 18.

Women's items include handbags, fine sterling silver jewelry, costume jewelry and Sydney Love luggage.

A>Cute Angle has an extensive selection of greeting cards, and the store always is stocked with new lines.

The stationery line includes notes, invitations, notepads and the talking gift bag.

Gift items for the home include Zak Designs, a contemporary urban line of serving dishes for entertaining. Metal bowls and pussy willow bowls and vases are fast-selling items. Table linens include table runners for less than
$20, which are popular, especially during fall and the holidays.

Many items cost less than $10 and can be party favors and stocking stuffers. Fun items include whimsical "nose cups," flip books, fun band aids, a hair brush cleaner, fish soap holder, tissue packets, napkins, and pretty contact lens cases that include a mirror. A nice selection of reading glasses, including bifocal sunglass readers, is available. Bath items include fragrant soaps and lotions.

How has the business changed since opening? Owners said A>cute Angle has increased its inventory by 200 percent and has expanded the baby line.

Who are the customers and from where? Mostly from Manitowoc County, who sometimes bring in their guests from out of the Lakeshore area. Word of mouth is the key to attracting new customers.

Who or what is the competition? The McCrackens said they strive to create a distinctive shop, including items not found in this area. Their aim is to complement, they said, the great shops that are already here.

How is marketing done? The McCrackens said people find out about the shop through advertising, word of mouth, and Holiday on the Lakeshore. Anne also keeps track of every customer, sending out $10 gift cards when their receipts total $250.

What are the keys to future success? The McCrackens said they are constantly bringing in new lines and ideas from their travels to the shows.

Factors under the control, or not under control of ownership? The factors they can control are the items they pick for inventory, and the way they display their merchandize.

They cannot control the economy and how people spend their money.

What is your role of creativity or imagination in running the business or selling your products or services?
Anne has a good eye for seeking out unusual and clever items. Anne and Deb both work on the displays throughout the shop to highlight unique items.

What is challenging? They said ot is a challenge to think about what items will attract customers, and to stock the right inventory of items that customers will purchase.

What is frustrating? They said the shows can be overwhelming the vast selection of items they can consider stocking. They said it is hard to narrow down the selections.

What is enjoyable? "We meet a lot of nice people, and we have learned more about Manitowoc," Anne and Deb McCracken said.

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