Kenya RPCV Renice Jones expands Global Crafts gift store
Importers open wholesale warehouse
Global Crafts targets retailers
By VALERIE WHITNEY
Business Writer
Last update: 27 November 2003
EDGEWATER -- The owners of Global Crafts gift store, which specializes in arts and crafts from African countries, have opened a wholesale warehouse here.
Located at 2020A Hibiscus Drive, the new 1,000-square-foot building will operate not only as a shipping location for existing customers but also as a cash-and-carry site for Central Florida retailers, said Renice Jones, who owns the shop with her husband, Kevin Ward.
"We have always done the importing," Jones said Monday in a telephone interview.
They currently wholesale to about 100 stores across the United States and Canada.
For the time being, however, she and her husband remain the only employees.
"We probably will have to hire some people in the future," Jones said.
The wholesale site is open to merchants Mondays and Wednesdays or by appointment.
More than 18 months ago, Jones and Ward opened their retail store on Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach.
Their product line is primarily imports from the countries of Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Uganda including such items as jewelry, greeting cards and home decor.
They also sell items over the Internet.
The couple met in Kenya in 1999. Jones was serving in the Peace Corps and Ward worked in the Voluntary Services Oversees, a British organization similar to the Peace Corps.
valerie.whitney@news-jrnl.com
