At Titcomb's Bookshop in East Sandwich, Mass., there has been huge demand recently for Pokemon cards, manager Rae Titcomb reported, with the shop sourcing those cards from ACD Distribution. Other popular items at the moment include Moon Balls from Waboba as well as Suprize Balls from Tops Malibu.
Candy is a consistent seller, with Titcomb pointing to some chocolates from local suppliers like Chequesset Chocolate and Cape Cod Provisions. The store also stocks Hammond's Chocolate bars, and Titcomb described the seaside caramel and dark chocolate toffee bars as "bestsellers." Their vanilla caramels, meanwhile, are kept right next to the register and are the store's "hottest seller." Candy Club, she noted, also provides some "very fun candies."
Stickers continue to sell well, especially those related to books and local interest. In particular, the beach-themed stickers from Wonderfully Written Co. are "beautiful," and other favorites include those by Stickers Northwest and Apartment 2 Cards.
Some new additions to the store's nonbook offerings include soaps from Ancestral French Soaps in Maine, and custom-made Titcomb's Bookshop stickers from Stickerknee, which is run by an indie bookseller at Print: A Bookstore in Portland, Maine. There are literature-themed purses and pocketbooks from Comeco, as well as storytelling boxes from Tonies. Titcomb added that the team loves the porcelain figures and more from the East of India collection at Two's Company.
On the subject of local sidelines, Titcomb said the store is fortunate that Cape Cod has "many wonderful artists and craftspeople," including card and print company Flying Edna, the Cape Cod Coop, jewelry maker Nautically Northern, Martha's Vineyard Sea Salt, and more.
Asked about any other perennial favorites, Titcomb brought up the store's book bags from Envirotote, socks from suppliers like Socksmith, Folkmanis puppets, and Douglas plush toys, along with the Catch and Release Beach Aquarium from Mutual Sales (a hit during the summer months), and safe bows and arrows from Two Bros Bows.
---
In Spring Lake, N.J., Thunder Road Books recently launched its store-branded merchandise, which general manager Kate Czyzewski reported is "selling well for us." Branded items include sweatshirts, reading lights, tumblers, and rocks glasses, all adorned with the bookstore's custom logo.
For local sidelines, Czyzewski pointed to "My New Jersey" coloring books featuring local history and iconic, Asbury Park-themed structures. It has "sold very well and continues to sell out at our store." Perennial favorites, meanwhile, including Mincing Mockingbird journals and Fly Paper Products candles. Those have been "staples" for a long time, and customers frequently add them to their purchases. Luckily, Czyzewski added, the shop has not had supply-chain issues lately. --Alex Mutter
If you are interested in having your store appear in a future Sidelines Snapshot article, please e-mail alex@shelf-awareness.com.