Winter 2021 - 71

MEET THE MAKER
emotional and cultural development - and my mission is to
provide Americans with Quality Crafted Fun for another 40 years.
How do you help retailers know about the uniqueness
of your products and brand and relay that information to
their customers?
DH: This COVID pandemic has been a real challenge for
retailers and vendors as well. Shelley (my wife) and I spent
seven weeks alone in Channel Craft's factory working all five
departments in three buildings until the Governor allowed our
crew to return to work. Realizing that many of our retailers were
not able to open their doors, we put together several service
programs to keep them in business. We created six Priority
Mail Family Packs with themed toys, family games and EduTainment
activities. These were formatted for internet and
social media pages with retail prices posted so we could drop
ship (postage paid) directly to their customers' homes.
Channel Craft hosted Museum Store Conference, ASTRA
world that cover dozens of historically significant events and
retail from $2-10.
We created Old Tavern Shooters for Colonial Williamsburg -
as an interpretive game derived from Pitch Penny in Tarpley's
Pub 250 years ago. It's now one of our best-selling games that
mimic modern day Corn Hole as an indoor pastime.
Do you offer any limited edition selections, or
customized selections?
DH: Several years ago, I was offered Thomas Jefferson's tulip
poplar tree that had to be removed before it would inevitably fall
on his Monticello home. We milled it, stacked and dried
it over winter, then hauled it back to our Pennsylvania
factory in the spring. We created a limited edition of
Heirloom Hobby Horses with Monticello and Thomas
Jefferson's signature laser engraved and numbered. We
created wine racks and accessories from smaller cuts and
paid royalties
to the Thomas
Jefferson Foundation for
each piece sold. I've had the opportunity of working with
many landmarks and museums over the past four decades, and
our life's work lives on as cultural and historical keepsakes.
What are your future aspirations for your business?
DH: My aspirations for the '20s, '30s, '40s and '50s is to
ascertain that every child has the opportunity to experience
Channel Craft's authentic American toys, games and puzzles.
These Edu-Tainment experiences are integral to physical, mental,
Expo and gift shows via Zoom with hundreds attending
our factory showroom presentations. After the events, we
scheduled 15 minute pow wows to provide undivided attention
to individual customers' stores. With each display set up and
every product within reach, we've been able to focus on their
needs, balance their stock and create customized product right
before their eyes. We've assembled a Market Specials Wheel
with fourteen deals to win free freight, free displays, custom
setups and extended terms each visit.
Many of our museum stores have yet to re-open and
those that have are mandated to short hours and limited
capacities. Realizing that they've lost retail revenues and are
dependent on memberships and sponsorships - we've created
a Museum Support Program, which provides membership gifts
and promotional premiums.
How does Channel Craft assist retailers with
merchandising, signage, and other retail selling tools?
DH: Channel Craft creates merchandising programs with
handcrafted fixtures for any assortment of toys, games and
puzzles. Video displays demonstrate products and how they
are crafted. YouTube videos can be loaded onto the video
chip and can be linked to a retailer's website and social media
presentations. All of Channel Craft's displays are offset with free
merchandise and can be upgraded free of charge.
Channel Craft's 18 " x 24 " canvas banner is grommeted, and
boasts: Authentic American Toys, Games & Puzzles that are
made in the USA and sold here. Canvas banners are free with
display orders.
Channel Craft provides free demos and Play Day Kits to EduTain
customers at store events. The customers that play will
become your best salesmen - and you don't even have to pay
them.
GIFTSHOPMAG.COM 71
http://www.GIFTSHOPMAG.COM
Winter 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Winter 2021
