Loaves and Fishes

Registry Roundup with Sybille van Kempen, owner/chef, Loaves and Fishes, in Bridgehampton, NY. www.landfcookshop.com

We feature the word "gift" in our shop to encourage new home owners and those celebrating in a big way to organize their wishes, allowing friends and family to be a part of these memorable events.

What trends do you see in bridal/gift registries?
Most of our gift registry customers choose and include items from throughout the departments of our shop. Selections are much less formal than even 5 years ago.

Casual elegance is the new style trend for everyday and entertaining. More choices are made stepping out together in a bolder style, less toward the traditional. Most customers require dishwasher safe products while leaving behind hand wash finery.

How important are sustainable/eco-friendly products to your customers?
When choosing these personal items for their lifestyle, that topic rarely comes up.

What is an entertaining must-have for newlyweds?
Barware and dinnerware that expresses their style and individuality as partners.

What is Loaves and Fishes staff pick for favorite product?
Sabre flatware from France, available in an amazing selection of solids and prints. We are able to mix and match every taste level!

Do you have tips for retailers starting a registry?  
Venture out to other shops and on-line to become familiar with a style of registry that fits your look and needs. Try some out to focus on ease of use. Then, take a walk through your front door with the eyes of your customer. Recognize your product strengths.

Clearly feature those many choose to host a party at our cooking school, given as a registry gift that guests can sign up for. We also offer gift certificates to the school; they are very popular for newly weds. Lastly, all the items we use in the school, we sell in the shop at 10% discount to cooking school students!

The Write Approach

Registry Roundup with Gail Greenberg and Pearl-Ellen Shure, owners of The Write Approach, in Woodbridge, CT.  www.thewriteapproachinc.com

What trends do you see in bridal/gift registries?

We've responded to the latest trends in bridal/gift registries by carrying products that address the buzz of our community and our own passions. We carry eco-friendly products that keep "Going Green", gorgeous. We have seen couples request more practical items that are multi-functional. Many couples are older when they get married today. They often already have a lot of the basics, they look to fill in the gaps with entertaining "must haves".

We have gotten away from formal table pieces but still are in the business of setting beautiful tables. We enjoy brides coming to use us for their gift registries because they appreciate the personal service and like supporting a local business instead of a large chain. We have always referred to ourselves as "a mini department store". Our brides have unique taste. We get to know our brides and craft the perfect combination of merchandise.

How important are sustainable/eco-friendly products to your customers?

When we moved the store to a new location two years ago, we chose a newly built "green" retail space. Since we invested in an eco-friendly building we also carry products that reflect the same principles. We love the use of recycled paper in invitations and stationery as well as bamboo in everything from bowls to blankets. Our customers love the Nambé collection made of acacia wood and alloy.

What is an entertaining must-have for newlyweds?

An entertaining "must have" for newlyweds is the Juliska 3 Piece Hostess Set. This coordinating set includes a durable ceramic serving platter with a center opening that's fit for the accompanying wood cutting board insert (for cheese) or a chip-and-dip bowl. The stoneware is highly resistant to chipping and breaking and can be used in the oven, microwave, and dishwasher. This makes the perfect gift for a couple who appreciates versatility.

What is The Write Approach staff pick for favorite product?

It was extremely hard for our staff to choose just one favorite product so we picked a few. We love our Nambé, Simon Pearce, and Antique Silver collections. In addition to the standards, we also carry items that are individually hand crafted and hard to find all in one place. Our certified antique sterling silver collection is from England and they come in their original boxes.

Do you have tips for retailers starting a registry?

Our tip for retailers just starting out with registry is to get to know your customers well and offer a selection of items within a wide price range. We present unique gifts in a clean and clever way and then artfully dress them up with great wrapping paper and seal the package with a store logo. We believe in giving the right first impression. We say, "Dive in, the water's fine!"

How do you use social media to promote your product offerings/registry activities?

Social media is an integral part of the overall marketing plan that was proposed by our marketing agency, Janet Leslie Productions, from Connecticut.  By integrating several pieces of social media, we create synergy.  Our messages become part of the conversations that people are having about the products we carry in our store. We post on our own Facebook / Twitter page as well as share data with our "Likes". We are creating original content that we spread on our own web site and to others.

Along with a new redesigned website, we plan to create video content for our own Youtube / Vimeo Channel, website, and email campaigns. We plan to be ready for QR bar codes and texting our customers in the near future.  Our community keeps growing and we continue to tap into the persona of who shops here.

Kitchen Kapers

Registry Roundup with Ron Kratchman of Kitchen Kapers, in Cherry Hill, NJ.
www.kitchenkapers.com

What trends do you see in bridal/gift registries?  
There's a trend towards functional items.  Tabletop is still lagging.

How important are sustainable/eco-friendly products to your customers? 
Again, functionally sound products like bamboo are doing well.  Hydration's popularity has migrated to glass based water bottles.  Price points on aluminum bottles have really sunk as big box stores drop their price points.  http://www.kitchenkapers.com/water-bottles.html
 
What is an entertaining must-have for newlyweds?  
Fondue!

What is Kitchen Kapers staff pick for favorite product?  
Sodastream

Do you have tips for retailers starting a registry?  
Start slow and don't expect too much too fast.  It takes a long time to be known as a resource.

You include recipes on your website…what is a tried-and-true crowd pleasing recipe?   
“Brûleèd” Salmon with Fresh Grilled Fruit Salsa
Recipe courtesy of The Big Book of Fish and Shellfish by Fred Thompson, Published by Chronicle Books

“Coating salmon with brown sugar gives a mildly sweet, moist glaze. The idea is from a Chicago area chef, Marggi Walstrom, who also does product and recipe development . Coating the salmon with brown sugar was her idea and I thought some grilled fruit salsa sounded like the perfect thing to go along with it. You’ll have left over salsa which will be outstanding for the next two or three days with chicken, pork or even shrimp. It is also pretty good just by itself.”

Serves 4

Ingredients

4 6- to 8-ounce center cut salmon fillets, skin left on, pin bones removed
4 tablespoons brown sugar
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pineapple, peeled and cored
2 nectarines, peeled, pitted and sliced
1 mango, peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons peanut oil
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 garlic clove, peeled and run through a garlic press
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely minced
1/2 cup chopped red onion

Directions

• Light a charcoal fire or preheat your gas grill. Oil your grill’s cooking grate.
• Take salmon fillets and sprinkle them liberally with salt and pepper. Take one tablespoon of brown sugar for each fillet and spread evenly over fillet and pack it down. Reserve.
• Slice pineapple into rings, about 1/4 inch thick. Toss all fruit with oil.
• When the fire is ready, place the salmon, skin side down on the grill. Add the fruit to the grill. Cook the fruit about 2 to 3 minutes per side or until soft but still firm.
• While the fruit and salmon are cooking, mix the cilantro, garlic, jalapeno and red onion together in a large bowl. Set aside. When the fruit is done, roughly chop and add to this mixture, stirring to combine.
• Meanwhile, back to the salmon, cook the salmon for a total of 8 minutes. Do not turn. The skin will probably stick to the grill. That’s OK. If that happens just slide your spatula between the salmon skin and the flesh to remove the salmon fillet. Serve with the grilled fruit salsa.

http://www.kitchenkapers.com/bruleed-salmon-recipe.html