BIZ BUZZ COLUMN: Hanover firm makes Peace Frog backpacks

Beanie Babies. Cabbage Patch Kids. Tickle Me Elmo.

The names may conjure up visions of people standing in line, begging and cajoling sales clerks in the hopes of getting their hands on one of these hard-to-find treasures.

"There is a certain portion of the population that likes to have what other people can't have," says Stu Neal, president of GearMax USA Ltd., a Hanover County-based maker of backpacks and bags.

Neal is counting on shoppers who must have what they can't get to help catapult his latest product, a limited-edition backpack created especially for retailer Peace Frogs.

The Gloucester County-based chain sells T-shirts, flags, jewelry, afghans and accessories aimed at teens and young adults. The company's logo is a frog waving a peace sign.

Peace Frogs has about 20 stores in 11 states, including one at Short Pump Town Center in Henrico County. The chain also has kiosks that are made to look like Volkswagen vans, complete with paint schemes from the 1960s peace movement.

The bags, called "Positively Peaceful," have a custom-embroidered Peace Frog logo and a hangtag made of recycled paper. GearMax is making 500.

"When they're gone, they're gone," Neal said.

The idea behind the bags came from the Beanie Babies craze. Ty Inc., the company behind the tiny stuffed animals, made them in limited quantities and then sold them through smaller retailers, Neal said.

He believes the concept will push the bags, while drawing customers to Peace Frogs and GearMax.

"It's a fun way to create demand and get some buzz," Neal said.

He is working on a second bag for Peace Frogs to be introduced later this year.

(Neal writes a monthly "Talking Business" column for Metro Business.)

Stony Point skin care

Bare Escentuals will open a store at Stony Point Fashion Park in Richmond in late August.

The 1,100-square-foot cosmetics and skin-care store will be between Godiva Chocolatier and Lucky Brand Jeans in the center of the mall, across from Restoration Hardware.

Bare Escentuals sells makeup made from natural ingredients, without preservatives, fragrances or other chemicals.

The retailer has a store in McLean.

Also at Stony Point, Mimi Maternity has changed its name to A Pea in the Pod. The company that owns the chain, Destination Maternity Corp., operates 733 stores and sells merchandise at Macy's, Kohl's and Babies "R" Us.

Bon Air shop to open

Serendipity Art and Consignment is scheduled to open Saturday in Bon Air.

The 1,350-square-foot Chesterfield County store will be on Buford Road near Huguenot Road, next to Tumbleweeds bookstore.

Owner Mary McNeil said Serendipity will carry work by local artists as well as upscale consignment furniture, rugs and home decor. She hopes to attract as many as 30 artists to display 10 items each in the gallery section of the store.

Mechanic has new shop

Art's Automotive Service has moved.

The new shop is at 1214 Athens Ave., off Brook Road near Parham Road in Henrico.

Art's had been at its previous spot on Staples Mill Road for 18 years.

Owner Arthur Giannini said the new shop is larger and has an upgraded customer lounge and reception area, as well as individual offices.

While business is down since October, Giannini said he believes the new spot is more convenient and will attract new clients.

Giannini said that once he is settled in, he will begin marketing the new shop.

"Right now, we're still going through boxes and trying to figure out where everything is," he said.

Chesterfield Noodles

Noodles & Company is scheduled to open Aug. 1 at Westchester Commons in Chesterfield.

It will be the third Noodles & Company in the Richmond area and the second to open this year. The chain opened in the Shops at Willow Lawn in April.

Developers for the shopping center at Midlothian Turnpike and state Route 288 said the restaurant is under construction in a cluster of buildings in the center of Westchester Commons.

Noodles & Company serves sautéed Asian, Mediterranean and American foods.

When it opens, it will be the chain's 15th Virginia restaurant.

Contact Louis Llovio at (804) 649-6348 or .