Cultural Intrigue, in Brattleboro, VT, is a wholesale supplier of decorations and gifts for wedding planners, gift shops, florists and designers. Its 2,000 piece product line includes candlestick, tealight and votive holders in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials and colors; glass vases that double as candle holders; innovative paper lanterns in multiple designs and colors; and launched this summer, recycled glass vessels. “We specialize in decorative accessories and that can be just about anything,” remarks Katie Flanagan, company VP. “Our merchandise has become really popular for weddings, that’s a huge niche for us. With party and event planning in mind, we’ve recently introduced napkin rings, place card holders and all sorts of things for tabletop decoration.”
Adam Gebb launched Cultural Intrigue about 20 years ago and the company is committed to using sustainably harvested and renewable materials such as bamboo, rice paper and recycled plastic, whenever possible. “We incorporate environmental responsibility into our product designs and that is largely why we are producing so much glass now,” Flanagan points out. “We are mindful of where our products may end up and what goes into producing them, and we try to be as low impact as we can.”
Although they purchase some of their products from other companies, Flanagan, who has a background in fine arts, designs many of Cultural Intrigue’s products in-house. “We aim to offer new products multiple times a year. In October, our customers are buying for the holidays,” she notes. “For the coming season, candleholders, ornaments and things that lend themselves to holiday entertaining will be big for us. Lighted garlands are very popular around the holidays as well.” Elegant and whimsical, Cultural Intrigue’s battery-operated lighted garlands are great for centerpieces and tabletop displays. “Our mercury glass ornaments are big sellers. We have some really cute mercury glass bird ornaments and a range of snowflake ornaments that are very popular. The whole line is very strong.”
Retail prices begin at double wholesale cost, according to Flanagan. “We have customers that mark up the merchandise five times and successfully sell it. It depends on where they are and their client demographic. We sell to retailers all over the world, ranging in size from small stores on Main Street to large retailers.” Retailers can sign up for sales, promotions and product news, as well as place and track orders, from the company’s website, which is updated and refreshed constantly. There is no minimum order and the company offers free shipping on returns within the continental U.S.
For more information:
Cultural Intrigue
35 Frost Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
Toll Free: 800-799-7422
Website: www.culturalintrigue.com