March 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Contacts:        Susan Wagner, editor, Country Business

                        Phone: 630-377-8000, ext. 866

                        swagner@sampler.emmis.com

                         Bob and Deb Gautreau, storeowners

                        Things Made Wonderful

                        Phone: 401-647-7555 

THINGS MADE WONDERFUL IN FOSTER, RHODE ISLAND,
CHOSEN AS FINALIST IN NATIONAL RETAIL AWARD

St. Charles, IL—Country Business magazine, a 25,000-circulation trade publication for the retail gift and home décor industry, has named Things Made Wonderful in Foster, Rhode Island, as one of its finalists in the magazine’s 2007 Retailer of the Year award. Things Made Wonderful is one of two retailers to receive the finalist designation; the other finalist is a store in Oregon. The first-place winner of the award is a store in North Carolina. 

Things Made Wonderful was chosen for the award based on the remarkable business savvy of the owners, Bob and Deb Gautreau, and the incredible atmosphere and design of the store.

 “Bob and Deb Gautreau are outstanding retailers,” says Susan Wagner, editor of Country Business magazine. “They have created a wonderful destination store that their customers love. Their combination of creative merchandising, smart inventory management, exciting promotions and general love of the business makes a winning combination.”

 Every year, Country Business selects one winning retailer and two finalists from stores across the country. Things Made Wonderful was chosen from more than 25 entries.

 As finalists, Bob and Deb Gautreau were honored during an awards ceremony at the Chicago wholesale gift market in January. The Gautreaus received an engraved trophy and an article about their business in the March/April 2008 issue of Country Business.

 “Every year, we are amazed at the caliber of entries for this award,” says Susan Wagner. “The competition continues to get tougher, and the winning stores continue to push the bar in excellence. Things Made Wonderful is no exception. It is a top-notch store in all regards, and we are proud to honor it with our Retailer of the Year finalist award.”

 Things Made Wonderful is housed in a 15,000-square-foot two-story barn. The lower level of the store is designed to look like small old-fashioned shops, such as a general store, pottery shop, candle shop, and so forth. These “shops” each display different types of merchandise. The second story features wares from individual craftsmen and antiques dealers.

 Things Made Wonderful is located at 114 Danielson Pike in Foster, Rhode Island. The store can be reached by calling 401-647-7555.

 Country Business is published seven times a year in St. Charles, Illinois. The magazine is written for independent retailers of gifts and home accents. For subscription information, call 800-448-0245.