I’m sitting in a Panera’s Bakery and Coffee Shop enjoying a hot cup of decaf and a toasted French roll and butter, and I’m thinking how I would promote a coffee shop.

I’d have to assume the obvious pitfalls have been overcome – my parking lot is big enough, my coffee has a decent aroma, and my food is at least somewhat digestible. Also, I have some tables and comfortable chairs so I’m not just a take-away place.

I’m a direct mail specialist, and I’ll cover direct marketing shortly, but there’s a couple of ways to promote the shop without a mailing program. I will cover these ideas first.

There are dozens of businesses within walking distance of every coffee shop, and most businesses have about 5-10 employees. Create a special discount card and hand this to every employee in every nearby business. Offer 10% or 20% or whatever you can to bring these people in. While not a 100% captive audience (they have other choices nearby), they will all now belong to a special “club,” and they all need to drink or eat sometime during their workshift. If you can, offer delivery service to these faithful ones so they won’t miss time from work. The business owners will appreciate this cost-saving service and will readily promote your coffee shop to their customers as well.

If billboard advertising is available near your shop and it’s affordable (billboard ads are among the lowest cost of advertising around), grab the spot. Anyone driving by will see your ad and (hopefully) start salivating for a cup of joe and a sandwich.

If billboard ads are not nearby, consider back of bench advertising, parking meter top ads, cross street hanging banners (a banner stretches overhead from one sidewalk to the other, usually attached to existing poles), or even a rented sandwich sign (sometimes called an A-frame stand) to place on the sidewalk of a major street. Drivers will see this sign and respond positively.

Direct mail works with all businesses, and a coffee shop is no exception. You need to target your market to nearby prospects. Otherwise you’re hitting people who will not travel to your place. Let’s face it – a coffee house is a convenience stop, but usually not a destination spot to travel a long distance for. That’s why there’s a Starbucks every two to three blocks in some major cities.

Using your shop as a center point, select a consumer list of all residences within a six-block or half-mile radius (these lists are readily available from any list broker). Send a flyer promoting your shop for early morning coffee, after work early dinners, and late night comfort food (if you’re open late). Offer a discount coupon if you’d like, but this is generally not necessary. You’re close enough and so convenient that customers will stop in. If you have a lot of competition nearby, the discount may be necessary to compete, but that’s a store by store decision. Do not promote delivery unless you can justify the cost. You want people to stop in and get comfortable with your shop so they’ll make you a regular stop on their daily or weekly routine.

Cost to mail 500 cards or flyers, including printing, mailing list, postage, and mail shop costs should be about $200 or less. This is much less than the cost of most newspaper ads. The advantage here (besides cost) is that 100% of your target customers will at least see your name on the flyer. A newspaper ad may, if you’re lucky, hit 10% of your target audience.

The second part of your direct marketing approach is to reach nearby businesses. Send a copy of your menu (condensed down to one sheet, if possible) to all businesses within one mile of your place. Include other restaurants as well – many restaurant employees are tired of their own food and eat out regularly. These businesses all have employees who travel to work, eat lunch, take coffee breaks, and leave at the end of their shifts. Salesmen meet with clients and need a comfortable and convenient location to greet customers and get away from the office. Be that place. Again, offer a discount if you want, but that’s usually not necessary. Just getting your menu out to these businesses will bring the employees in.

Cost to mail to 500 businesses will cost between $200 and $300 per mailing.

If your budget is minimal, rent or compile a nearby business list and mail out 20-30 flyers or menus a day. You’ll be able to control your costs to an amount you can afford without a major investment. And hopefully sending out 20-30 mailers at a time will generate more foot traffic to increase your overall business.

Mailing out 30 flyers per day will cost you only $15 per day in postage and printing costs. Generate only one new repeat customer who buys a $2 cup of coffee once a week and you’ve generated $100 a year from your investment. Well worth it! 

Source by Wayne Stoler

First to Almyra, a trendy-hip box-of-a-hotel right on the shore, a few minutes’ walk from Paphos, the fishing village that turns to youthful activity when the sun goes down. Owned by Kikkos Monastery since its launch in 1973, the 158-room hotel has had such a makeover it reminds me of Clint Eastwood redone as Brad Pitt.

I was in villa 10, which could inelegantly be described as a modern terraced bungalow, even nearer the water than the main blocks. All white outside, it is similarly light within. You look through the room to your private concrete terrace, from which you can go down three steps to a grass patch shared with your neighbours, with the beach below (you also share your flat rooftop with them – again white, it has been sculpted with white seating and becomes pretty sexy by night). In the room, thanks to French designer Joelle Pleot – who had earlier redone Thanos Michaelides’ home – I had grey marble floors, palest white-grey walls, soft wood furniture with pale blue leather upholstery and pillows. A futuristic stainless fan whirred overhead. The bathroom had a big overhead rainforest shower as well as a hand-held unit, and lovely LaSource toiletries, from Crabtree & Evelyn, that matched that pale blue upholstery.

We met for dinner in the outdoor restaurant, by the beach. The menu is international with a twist. Fish and chips here is a basket filled with fried calamari, served with a metal pot of ‘village’ fries and another pot of tartar sauce. When I got back to my villa, I found the bed turned down, and a red apple on a round card, on which was written ‘Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold, but the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul’.

In the morning I did a pre-breakfast power walk along the coastal path, coinciding with some young revelers still on their way home from the previous night. Fishermen were already getting ready to go out. I returned, to be ready for breakfast, in another outdoor area. I checked out the massive hotel lobby, really only used during winter months unless, like me, you wanted WiFi (perfect reception here, which is not usual on this island). Pleot has deliberately turned the lobby into a residential home, albeit a massive one, with lots of different chairs, different seating areas. In winter there is a giant open log fire. Her sense of colour comes out in the bright orange chairs in the bar area. I was offered a round of golf, a mere 20 minutes away, but it was time to go.

Forty minutes later we were in the north-west section of the island at the small coastal town of Polis. We headed west towards the Akmasa Peninsula, and after four miles turned off the oleander-flanked road into the private drive of Anassa (‘Queen’, named for Aphrodite, whose mythical baths are a few miles further along). This Leading resort, opened in 1998, cascades over 70 acres of rough coastal terrain. It is, frankly, huge. A water feature in the outside turning circle and then a guard of honor of seven water jets greet you as you come in to a honey-colored marble colosseum. To get to the sunset terrace, to look down to the sea, it is a 200-foot walk (I measured it), along wide open corridors, which take angles, say past a big mirror flanked by a pair of green lights. Thanks to designer Darrell Schmitt, you can always see something intriguing, and there are strategically-placed local pots, or modern icons, to give culture as you walk – or through gorgeous gardens, immaculately tended, with lawns but also acres of natural bush, a millefeuille of different colored flowers.

The 173 rooms are set, village-like, in blocks. I was in 73, a downstairs suite with private outside entrance, parlor and bedroom, and a stone-walled terrace with plunge pool. My rooms had pale wood floors, cream walls, paintwork and shutters covered with fine curtains. Here the fans were pale creams, hanging from slightly peaked cream wood ceilings. I had a bathroom and a half, with Bulgari.

I rushed out to the spa, somehow finding my way across the ‘village square’ and the little church – contemporary with the resort – where a couple, attended by their ten-ish son, were being married. The spa is semi-subterranean, a real draw as it has 17 treatment rooms. They offer thalasso and Organic Pharmacy, the London firm apparently beloved of Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. I had an anti-ageing body treatment, namely a scrub of white sugar, salt and rose petals followed by a wrap of day and Andean rose petals, then a rose oil spread, then a body cream which included the following ingredients, green coffee fatty acids, guarana, horsetail complex, ivy and meadowsweet – a 200ml pot this from the Organic Pharmacy webset will cost you £150.

There are five restaurants, cleverly not all open every night. Wednesday is Cypriot night, a buffet with live dancing in the ‘village square’, and lots of fun (had I stayed another night I would have coincided with the weekly management cocktail. The new chef here is Australian Ashley Goddard, who wants – as he did at Soneva Fushi – to plant an organic garden, for guests to visit.

In the morning, the sun streamed in through shutters that I had deliberately left open. I got up, looked over my plunge pool to exotic bushland, far down to the ocean. A mountain bike awaited, and I managed a good workout. My room service breakfast was simple style, a big wood tray holding marvellous orange juice and a generous bowl of unsweet local yoghurt. I had a heart shape of butter, French L’Ancienne jams and local honey, a Frette napkin and oodles of flavourful coffee. It was time for my acupuncture, from an amazing local resident, Christine Whittaker, a Welsh woman who gave up serious law for a change of lifestyle, and spent four years studying detailed acupuncture in Beijing. She was supposedly doing my face but at one point I opened one eye to find myself lying with needles stuck in all up and down my legs. I felt like Gulliver with the Lilliputians. And this one is for energy, she said, putting one in the top of my head. She counted ’em in, counted ’em out (fortunately the same).

Sadly, no time for tennis or watersports or even trialling all the restaurants. My car awaited, and I promised myself to come back (35% of all guests here are repeats). Well done Thanos and sisters!

P.S. the following night Christine’s energy needle took effect. I woke up at 2 am bursting with creativity.

Source by Mary Gostelow

A canopy is a type of shade solution which uses metal or fabric to provide ample covering. What makes canopies different from tents is the fact that it does not usually have flooring. It just provides a roof-like structure which serves as protection from the sun and rain. This shade solution has provided a lot of benefits for different places like commercial establishments and homes. It is one of the popular choices when it comes to shade solutions not just because of its beauty but also because of all the benefits it can provide.

This type of shade solution is common for entrance of business establishments like office buildings, hotels, bookstores, restaurants, shops and other places for business. This provides multiple purposes for commercial establishments. First, it serves as covering which avoids too much sun to enter the place. It is also a good shelter for rain since the materials used for canopies can usually repel water. Second, it also serves as an extra area which could accommodate more customers. People would not be apprehensive to stop by your place even amidst the scorching heat of the sun or a heavy rainfall because the entrance is covered. Third, it also serves as an additional adornment. Passers by can easily see your place of business. If you are located in a busy street, this will make your establishment stand out from the others.

Aside from commercial establishments, canopies can also be perfect for homes. Having it installed in your home will make the façade look even more endearing. It gives a welcoming appeal that can really beautify your home even more. Aside from the aesthetic value, it also provides as shade where you can put plants or set-up some chairs and table where you can relax. If you love having friends over for barbecue, it could even serve as a shade where you can all enjoy the outdoors without worrying about the various weather conditions.

Whether it will be installed in your home or business establishment, you have to ensure that it is made with high quality materials. That way, you can enjoy your shade for a long time without repairs or replacement. Aside from that, you should also think of the right design and decoration. For commercial establishments, you can even use it as an advertising tool by printing the name of the business, products or services offered. For homes, backlit canopies do not only look really attractive, these are also very functional especially during the night.

Source by Anne Nicole Brooke

The hospitality industry is a large, very active, and ever evolving industry. The demand for their services is high, and customers expect the best service at any restaurant or hotel that they visit. In order to remain competitive as well as supply to the demand of the customers, restaurants and hotels need to have efficient processes in place as well as the correct catering equipment. They need to be able to deliver consistently and quickly every time. In response to this need, there is a wide range of catering equipment and commercial refrigeration available to the hospitality industry.

The vast array of catering equipment available to the hospitality industry includes the following products.

Every restaurant needs crockery and cutlery. It’s best to invest in durable plates, cups and saucers to minimize damage.

Display dishes and serving dishes are very useful for hotel restaurants that make use of buffet areas. Chafing dishes and bain marines are also high in demand in this area.

Coffee machines and urns are required for serving warm drinks especially during breakfast times. It’s ideal to find a commercial coffee machine that is able to endure the constant demand for coffee on a daily basis and at all times of day and night.

There are various warmers that keep dishes warm before serving such as pie warmers, cup warmers, plate warmers, induction warmers, and heated display cabinets.

Other catering equipment available to the hospitality industry includes fryers, grillers, chip dumps, pasta cookers, toasters, ovens, carvery stations and many storage options. Finding the right catering equipment for your restaurant or hotel will depend on how many customers you serve on a daily basis and most importantly the food items on the menu. Different food items require different kitchen equipment as preparation and cooking methods vary vastly. Also, consider the types of food you serve and if you can prepare it in advance or when it is ordered. These criteria will narrow down your search for the correct catering equipment for your restaurant.

Commercial refrigeration equipment includes beverage coolers, blast chillers or freezers, cold food bars, chest freezers, cold rooms, freezer rooms, wall chillers, upright freezers, and display fridges. The range of display fridges available for the hospitality industry include ice cream display fridges, pastries display fridges, and cake display fridges. For your specific restaurant, you have to do your homework in order to choose the correct one to suit your requirements.

The hospitality industry is spoilt for choice when it comes to quality catering equipment. There are many options that are designed to save you time and money as well as increase your profits while keeping customers happy.

Source by Stana Peete

Not many trips end with the sense of having made a significant difference to real people in real need. But I've recently returned from such an experience in a remote community in Northern Peru. A friend introduced me to the tour, a part of a larger travel company offersings of sustainable eco-tourism, back in December. The notion of helping and getting to know others living in a different culture appealed to me strongly.

Our group consisted of 3 travellers from Canada (Heather, David and myself) and a tour guide, from Socio Adventures. The purpose of the trip was to build a brick and mortar stove for a family that currently does all of its cooking over an open fire.

Proper stove saves lives

The World Health Organization reports that the indoor air pollution from the acrid smoke rising from these inside fires is associated with one death every 20 seconds in the world's poorest countries. The brick stove eliminates the smoke and reduces the amount of firewood needed for burning by 50 per cent.

Our trek began when we flew from Lima to Cajamarca, a northern city in Peru. We were met at the airport by Ben and Celida, representatives of a small outdoor adventure company called Socio Adventures. There was a little time to experience the city before the next phase of our journey. Cajamarca is regarded as one of Peru's hidden gems and the main square is the very spot where Francisco Pizarro's men captured Inca Atahualpa in 1532 and brought down the Inca Empire.

Music and mountains

The word "adventure" took on new meaning when we departed Cajamarca on a bus for a 7 hour journey to a smaller northern community known as Chota. Non-stop Peruvian music on the bus was a backdrop to the many stops along the way to let people on and off with their wares, as well as the vendors who board to sell something to eat or drink.

It may also be that the music was intended as a distraction from the scary moments as we careened very narrow roads and winding hairpin turns in the high altitudes of the Andes (and sometimes we had to stop because kids had built rock statues in the middle of the road.) The mountains are quite breathtaking in places and you want to keep your camera handy to capture on film some of the beauty.

Differences enchant

When we finally arrived in Chota I immediately became aware that people were intrigued by our differences and they would stare at our white-faces and / or white-hair. We stayed one night at the El Angel hotel which was very near the main square of the town and the local market. It was not until the next morning, however, that we realized the large square behind our hotel, which was seen from high windows in our room, was actually the prison courtyard!

Our dining experience that evening at a nearby restaurant was our first experience of authentic Peruvian food. Corn, potatoes, rice are mainstays of a meal and there were many interesting choices and combinations of such with differing sauces, vegetables, herbs, and chicken on the menu. "Cuy" (guinea pig) is a specialty in Peru and of course it was offered too.

Early the next morning we climbed into a taxi truck for the last part of our journey to the community of Cadmalca, a 45 minute drive from Chota. Our luggage and two of our travelers opted to ride in the back of the truck to enjoy the scenery and to have direct contact with a couple of passengers who "hopped in" along the way for a short ride to their community. It took a moment at our destination point to realize that there was no road up to our Lodge and that we would be climbing up the green hillside with luggage in hand!

However, Mercedes and Enrique, local staff of Socio Adventures, were awaiting our arrival and they immediately picked up our bags and lead the way. A group of curious children also appeared to greet us and we began our introductions to the families of Cadmalca. Ben and Danielle provided strategic interventions with Spanish / English interpretation, and I quickly saw that language was not going to be a barrier in making connections with these very accepting people.

The Blue Lodge was a welcome sight! I had expected rather rustic accommodation but this newly constructed building had a large dormitory-type room on the ground floor which housed the men and a lovely large room with a hardwood floor, double bed, 2 singles, plus a sink on the second floor for the women. All of us were grateful for the ceramic tile bathroom complete with a large shower with hot running water; toilet; sink; electric plug.

Safe dining

One of the main concerns of people traveling to a third world country is how to avoid illness. Tips include: do not drink the water or ice, avoid raw vegetables and salads, stay away from seafood, only eat fruit that needs to be peeled. At Cadmalca the special needs of travelers are built into the accommodation. There is sterilized water readily available for drinking. The food is prepared in a sterile kitchen by a young woman named Felicita who had attended a cooking school in Lima. Her menu was well-balanced and consisted of delicious Peruvian dishes.

Starting construction

After lunch we began to build the chimney of the stove on the patio of the Lodge. No experience was required. We were given good instruction and diagrams and help from Mercedes and consultation from Ben. The chimney was constructed out of corrugated tin (which had to be flattened and then bent into a circle and riveted closed.) The next morning we trekked higher into the fertile hills of Cadmalca to the home of our family – Nestor and Georgina and our helper, Absilon, carried the finished chimney.

We all felt excited and perhaps a little nervous. Nestor showed us the old cooking shack and the blackness of the walls and ceiling from the smoke. He then showed us a new adobe room which had recently been built especially to house the new stove.

The materials for the construction were already on site and together with Heather, Absilon, Nestor and Georgina we determined the site for the stove. By noon we had completed the first phase (of the 4 'x 2' brick and mortar stove). The 2 children, Jeanette (8) and Kevin (6) rushed home at lunch to see the progress and we instantly connected with their exuberance and excitement.

We were welcomed into the home for a "coffee break" mid-morning and were served tea, or coffee, and fried corn pieces. It did not take us long to warm to one another and we had some great funny moments as we struggled to ask questions and learn about one another with a very small repertoire of spanish / english vocabulary.

The adobe home had a dirt floor, a table which was covered with a lace cloth, 4 chairs, a cupboard with some dishes and food. Georgina has 3 sewing machines and there was a rack hanging from the ceiling filled with her knitted and woven items for sale. There was no bathroom and no hot water. This family of four has a very small piece of land on a hillside for grazing their 2 sheep and 2 cows.

At the end of the morning in gratitude for our assistance, I was handed a gift from the family – a sack containing 3 live guinea pigs! My surprise, I hope, was balanced with a true understanding and appreciation of the significance of this offering. Guinea pig, or "cuy" as they are called in Quechua, is an important source of protein for these families and has a long history in the Inca traditions. Out of respect for the family we made arrangements with Felicita to prepare the little animals for our lunch the next day!

The next morning we worked diligently as a team, and right on schedule the stove was completed and the chimney erected. Wow! We were all so thrilled with the finished product! The stove is 4 brick levels high, filled with rock with a brick opening built on top for the firewood. The opening is surrounded by stone and mortar and a steel cooking plate fits on top.

Permanent reminder

At completion I asked Georgina if we could engrave our initials in the soft mortar somewhere on the stove. She had already decided that Heather and I should write something in big print right in the center of the hearth – the hearth that she will be tending day after day. We wrote: "THANK YOU!" with our names on either side.

The highlight of this venture for me came just following our presentation to the family of a few gifts that we had brought from home. Georgina stood up to make a little speech and I found myself crying! She said that she did not know how to express her overwhelming gratitude to us for what we had done for them, but that we were to know that no matter where we were or when, we would always be in her heart.

As her words were being translated and I looked around, I saw that we were all in tears. I had come to offer help to a family in need and left feeling so much richer for the gifts of friendship and connection that had been established. The vast differences of language, culture, religion, power, socio-economics, had fallen away and we experienced the true joy of a 'heart to heart' endeavor.

Source by Ben Eastwood

Decorating your Italian restaurant is nearly as important as what is on your menu. When people dine out they are doing so for a couple of different reasons. Often they don’t want to cook and clean but still desire a delicious meal, and they want a pleasant atmosphere.

Creating an atmosphere is one of the main elements of decorating. The atmosphere that you create will greatly depend on what type of food you will be serving. If your main specialty is pizza, and your target patron is that of the younger generation and families, you would probably decorate your restaurant differently than you would if you were going to be opening a very upscale café.

Restaurants with themes are becoming increasingly popular. For an Italian restaurant you may want to have a street café theme, or an old world theme. Both of these are wonderful for setting the atmosphere in an Italian eatery.

Once you have a general idea of what theme or atmosphere you hope to create, start from the ground up. Your walls and floors will have to be an appropriate color to help you create that atmosphere. Earth tone colors are very popular in Italian restaurants.

Next on the list is your furniture. Decide what types of tables and chairs will help to set off your décor. You can choose anything from medium to dark wood, or even tables that depict classic Italian art. There are specialty tables available from some distributors that include those with a specific Italian theme.

Now you will want to add to your atmosphere by choosing just the right artwork. One of the obvious choices would be a replica of famous sculptures, and artwork from Old Italy. Maybe you don’t want anything that fancy and would prefer art that depicts Italian country life, or an Italian kitchen. Your options are many and varied but it basically comes down to personal preference and the atmosphere that you hope to create.

Greenery is very important in an Italian restaurant, especially if you are going for the “old world garden” atmosphere. Silk plants can be placed in strategic locations to not only compliment your décor, but to give the patrons of your restaurant the feel of semi- private tables.

No matter how you ultimately decide to decorate your Italian restaurant, keep atmosphere in mind. Providing an environment that allows your customers to lose themselves for the duration of their meal is as important as the quality of food that you serve.

Source by Jessica Ackerman

Most people are in agreement that the papasan chair is the ultimate chair if you are looking for style, comfort and affordability. In many families, it is the single papasan chair in the house that everyone fights for when it’s time for everyone to gather in the living room to watch TV or play games. That’s not really surprising since the papasan chair does offer a different kind of comfort and relaxation that you cannot get from any other chair in the house.

However, just like any other piece of furniture, you do have to take care of your papasan chair in order to keep it clean and in good condition for the longest possible time. Contrary to what some people think, it’s really not that hard to take care of a papasan chair. You just need to follow the tips listed below and you’ll be able to enjoy your papasan chair for a very long time.

Clean the Cushion Regularly

Just like any other cushion or upholstered furniture, the cushion of your papasan chair will accumulate dust and dirt over time. Regular cleaning can help prevent dust buildup so be sure to vacuum your cushions at least once a week if the chairs are used frequently. You should vacuum both sides of the cushion, using the right attachment for the hose. If you don’t really use the papasan chairs so much, you can do the vacuuming just once or twice a month.

In case of spills, make sure to address it right away in order to prevent stains from setting in. You can use an ordinary stain removal solution for as long as it is safe to use on the type of fabric that you have on your cushion. If you use a bleaching solution, check that it is non-chlorinated so that it won’t cause any unsightly discoloration on your cushions.

If you have young children or pets, then you should certainly expect to have spills on your upholstery from time to time, no matter how many preventive measures you take. The best thing to do in this case is to choose a microfiber papasan cushion instead of other types of fabric because this is the easiest to clean and is the most resistant to stains.

Deep-Clean the Cushion Once a Year

Aside from the regular cleaning, you should also do a deep-clean of your papasan cushions once a year. One way of doing this is to bring the cushion to the cleaner, where they will use special tools and chemicals specifically made for cleaning upholstery. However, if you want to save money and skip the hassle of having to go to the cleaner, you can also do the deep cleaning yourself.

To do this, you have to buy a special hand upholstery shampoo that is appropriate for the fabric of your cushions. Follow the instructions on the label on how to mix the shampoo with water to create the cleaning solution. Dab this solution onto the surface of the cushion, working on one area at a time. After you finish with an area, blot it dry with a clean piece of cloth. Let the cushion air-dry.

Clean the Frame

Although it doesn’t really get dirty as quickly as the cushions, the frame of the papasan chair does need to be cleaned as well. If you have a traditional rattan chair, you can clean it using a cleaning solution that is safe to use for wooden surfaces.

As with the upholstery shampoo, follow the instructions on the bottle on how to combine the solution with water. Wipe this solution onto the entire frame using a clean rag, making sure to wring it before applying it to the rattan. After the chair has dried, you can apply a coat of furniture polish to give the chair some extra oomph.

Flip the Cushion Once a Month

If you have had a couch or sofa for a long time, you will notice that there will be visible indentations in the places where people sit most of the time. The same thing can happen to a papasan chair unless you remember to flip the cushions at least once a month. As you turn the cushion, you can also give it a nice fluffing up so that it will regain its signature thickness and coziness, which is what people enjoy most about the papasan chairs.

Other than these routine cleaning procedures, there is really not much else that you have to do to keep your papasan chair in excellent condition. In case the frame gets damaged for whatever reason, you can use rattan wrappings to fix and reinforce your chair. Most stores that sell papasan chairs also sell these wrappings so you won’t have any problem looking for some when you need them.

Source by L MacDonald

Preventing Your Garden Furniture From Getting Damaged

Garden furniture covers are constantly forgotten when it concerns protecting things like BBQs, parasols and various other garden furniture when exposed to the weather. Your outdoor furniture needs to be kept in the very best condition, giving it a longer life of use. You can buy a selection of different covers for BBQs, parasols, swing hammocks, patio heaters such as chimineas and for garden furniture like garden chairs, garden tables and benches from us. We also stock brand names, these include Gardman covers and Bosmere covers.

Here is some information on why a cover will help to improve the endurance of your BBQ, parasol, swing hammock, patio heater and other garden furniture.

BBQ Covers

Barbecue covers are often overlooked when it concerns people protecting their barbecue. People think that they do not need a cover for their barbecue but it must be well cared for, so that it can be used each and every. We provide BBQ covers for kettle, flatbed and square BBQs. So if you're seeking a BBQ cover, your search ends here. Do not let your BBQ rust – you don't want to be scrubbing off rust next summer. The best solution is to simply purchase a BBQ cover that offers maximum protection against the different weather conditions throughout the year. It does not matter whether your BBQ is a kettle, flatbed, or a square BBQ, it will still rust in the bad weather. We offer a variation of different barbeque covers to complement your BBQ, from well known brands including Gardman and Bosmere covers. With brand names you can trust, you'll have faith in knowing that your BBQ will survive anything that British weather has in store.

Parasol Covers

Parasols protect us against the dangers of the sun; therefore we should protect them from the cold, snowy and wet seasons too. If you care for your parasol you will be sure it will last for years to come. We sell a variety of different parasol covers that give the best protection available. With brands such as Bosmere Covers and Gardman Covers that are trusted by many. You can have faith in the fact that every parasol cover we supply is top quality.

Garden Bench Covers

Garden benches are wonderful things that brighten up a garden and as well as somewhere to take a seat, relax and embrace the great outdoors. As they are so frequently used and don't let you down, you should purchase a cover to shield your garden bench from the weather. If your garden bench is made from metal and left outside to face wet weather, it is going to be prone to rusting. By buying a garden bench cover you will protect it against wind, snow and rain preventing any rusting from occurring. If you're hoping to keep your bench protected for years on end, we supply the very best bench covers that will certainly withstand anything that the weather has in store. We do all different types of Bench covers so you will be spoilt for choice. Our bench covers are also reasonably priced.

Garden Chair Covers

It is extremely important to keep your garden chairs in top condition; if you do not cover them up during the cold, rainy and snowy seasons then the result will be you spending a fair bit of time trying to clean them and rid them of things like rust, dirt and bird droppings when summertime returns. Check out our selection of garden chair covers to ensure your chair receives the most protection against bad weather forecasts.

Garden Table Covers

It isn't nice to eat off of a dirty table on a nice day, in fact, I'm positive it won't be on anybody's list of things to do. To stop you having to attempt to scrub off dirt before sitting down to dine at your garden table; why not invest in a table cover? We supply table covers that give maximum protection so that you no longer have to scrub off dirt, brush of leaves and wipe off bird droppings before taking a seat at your garden table when summer returns. Of course you not only want to prevent having to manually getting rid of dirt and rust, but you want to ensure that your Garden Table lasts for as long as possible and provides an outdoor dining location for you and your loved ones for many summers to come . They all come at reasonable prices and save you a great deal of hassle in the future. We sell a selection of different size table covers that will fit nicely on top of wood, metal and glass tables. Our selection of covers consists of entry level "Protector" to "Cover Up" covers, both supplying high protection against snow, hail and winds.

Swing Hammock Covers

Not only are swing hammocks in danger of being left outside in rainy, snowy and windy weather, however they should also be protected from even summer's rare light showers. There's nothing quite like sitting in a swing hammock, relaxing in the garden. Don't forget, though that this luxury comes with the responsibility of taking care of your swing hammock. We provide a wide selection of swing hammock covers to make sure it sees through a long life.

Source by Jim Whiteley

New York City is a superb travel destination for families with children. There are many attractions and activities for kids. However, like most families travelling with children, a hotel with a pool is a major priority. As every parent knows, a nice swimming pool is not only great fun for the kids but it also serves an important benefit for parents as well… like stealing a few moments of peace. Of course, when it comes to New York City, finding New York hotels with pools is a bit more challenging, because there are surprisingly few hotels with pools. This may seem odd given the immense number of hotels in the Big Apple, but New York real estate is so expensive few do and in some cases they are literally small lap pools. Nonetheless, there are a few good choices. Below, we have listed some good family friendly New York City hotels with pools that are worth considering.

New York Hotels with Pools:

• Sheraton Manhattan Hotel – Best Family Friendly New York Hotel– 790 7th Ave & 51st St, New York, N.Y. This New York Hotel is the best choice for families by far based on overall value, location and its pool. The Sheraton Manhattan Hotel offers a 4 lane, 50 foot pool which is the largest true hotel owned pool in New York City, even if it is diminutive by normal standards. For parents looking to relax, there is a good pool deck lounging are to steal a few moments of relaxation. The Sheraton Manhattan also claims the benefit of being relatively close to Broadway and Times Square.
• Crown Plaza Time Square Hotel – 1605 Broadway & 49th Street, New York, N.Y. – Located in the heart of Times Square, the Crown Plaza Hotel in Times Square offers 4 lane, 55 foot pool in association with the New York Sports club. The seating and lounge deck area is limited but usable. Usually, 2 lanes are reserved for lap swimming and the others for leisure swimming, which reduces the usable size of the pool. But, this New York hotel is a good alternative choice for families that are vacationing in New York City and want to be right in the Broadway/Times Square area. Also, the Crown Plaza is a good choice for those on tighter budgets.
• Le Parker Meridien Hotel– 119 W. 56th Street, New York, N.Y. – This midtown Manhattan Hotel offers a 45 foot, 3 lane pool with a very attractive and relaxing pool seating area. The views from the pool look out on to Central Park. This New York Hotel pool is small and sometimes it can get crowded, but it will do the trick. It is a good choice for families looking for an upscale family friendly New York Hotel.
• Mandarin Oriental New York– 80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street, New York, N.Y. – The Mandarin Oriental is a luxury New York hotel and its pool facilities are equally sumptuous. The Mandarin Oriental probably offers the best New York City Hotel pools in terms of luxurious atmosphere. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows provide superb views of New York City. The pool lounge area is at the Mandarin is impeccable and elegant with plush lounge chairs. Despite being the best in town, it may not be the best for a family with very “active” kids.
• The Peninsula Hotel New York– 700 Fifth Avenue at 55th street, New York, N.Y. The Peninsula New York is another luxury New York Hotel with pool facilities that rival the Mandarin Oriental’s. Located on the 23rd floor of the hotel, there is a glass enclosed pool area with a chic décor that is calming and quite relaxing. At night, excellent views of the city provide an enchanting atmosphere. The pool with serve the kids well, but the parents will certainly appreciate the fine lounging area.
• Millennium UN Plaza Hotel– One United Nations Plaza, New York, N.Y. – Located in the United Nations Plaza area, this New York Hotel has a 3 lane, 44 foot pool. The Millennium Plaza Hotel is a deluxe level New York Hotel located right near the United Nations Building on the east side of Midtown Manhattan. The Hotel’s pool is located on the 27th floor and provides impressive views of New York. The pool’s lounge area is a bit a little on the tight side, and is not one the more relaxing pool lounges areas available.

For those seeking more information on New York Hotels with pools, including pictures, locations, prices and real up to the minute hotel availability, a link to a web information page specific to New York Hotels with Pools is listed in the Resource section following this article.

Family Friendly New York City Attractions:

Beyond finding a family friendly New York Hotel with a pool, there are some excellent activities for kids in New York City. Rather than suffering through endless pages of listings in travel guides with questionable value and accuracy, we suggest these sure to please recommended friendly New York City attractions.

• America Girl Shop -For little girls who love dolls, the American Girl store is a pure fantasy land. Resembling a high-end boutique with the latest American Girl clothes fashions, it is a shopping paradise. The American Girl Store sports a Beauty Salon for American Girl dolls with real hair stylists, salon chairs and beauty stations with the works. Upstairs, there is a Doll Hospital where you can take your Doll for any repairs or other “procedures” which might be necessary. Finally, the American Doll Store offers its own tea and dining room which is very popular for young girls celebrating their birthday in style with friends and family. The American Girl Store also used to have live theater productions themed around the American girl stories. Sadly, this closed thanks to some corporate weenie with green eye-shade. But, all in all, we think this is one of the best experience based kid stores in New York City (sorry boys, although the NBA store is probably a close second.
• The Bronx Zoo – Bronx River Parkway and Boston Road, Bronx, N.Y. 10460 – {Looking for one of the world’s best zoos? Look no further than the Bronz Zoo. This New York zoo has an outstanding collection of exotic animals from around the world, including elephants, gorillas, giraffes, bears, rhinos and leopards. Getting to the Bronx Zoo from downtown Manhattan) is easy. Trains from Grand Central Station on the Metro North Line stop at the Zoo. There are also express buses that make stops along Madison Avenue which go right to the Bronx Zoo. Look for the BXM11 Buses on Madison.
• The Central Park Carousel – Central Park, New York, N.Y. – The carousel in Central Park is a beautiful old fashion carousel. Continuing a tradition that remains ongoing since 1871, situated in Central Park is a beautiful 57 horse antique carousel. Ornate carved wooden horses await rides from youngsters within an old fashioned carousel building that warmly greets you on your approach. It offers a simple pleasure from times long since passed, and is a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of the day. While you are there, take advantage of the paths, garden areas and sculpted ponds inside the park. It is a wonderfully relaxing and expansive setting and leaves one wondering how such a serene pace can exist in one the largest cities in the world.
• Dylan’s Candy Store – 1011 Third Avenue, New York, NY – What Willy Wonka did for the imagination; Dylan’s Candy Store does in reality. It’s a veritable wonderland of candy which will have the kid’s wide-eyed and mouths wide open with awe. New York City candy store is an absolute must visit, and parents we apologize for the post candy sugar rush that follows.
• Ellen’s Stardust Dinner – 1650 Broadway, New York, N.Y. – Located in the Broadway Theater District, the Stardust Diner is a fun experience for kids and adults alike. The dinner is a retro 50’s drive-in theater theme, but the real treat is the singing wait staff. Comprised of aspiring Broadway actors, the staff will break out into a fully fledged Broadway style singing performance. The wait staff is incredibly fun and very friendly and willing to kibitz. The kids will eat it up.
• Empire State Building – 350 Fifth Avenue, 33rd & 34th Street, New York, N.Y. – Visit the Empire State building and go to the observatory level for a panoramic view of New York City. A Gorilla, ala King Kong, will greet you at the entrance line to the observatory. Even though the views and sheer height are sure to be an exciting experience, it also worth trying to take a picture of the entire building from street level…keep on backing up. For a really fun time, the night before your visit bring along a DVD of the original King Kong Movie for a family movie night and then bring the kids the following day. It adds to the fun and mystique.
• FAO Schwartz – 767 Fifth Avenue at 58th Street, New York, N.Y. – FAO Schwartz is the mother of all toy stores in New York’s City. Located across from Central Park, FAO Schwartz is a child’s dream come true. Offering the latest and greatest in toys, this store has something for everyone. But, perhaps the part we like the best is the extensive stuffed animal collection. A virtual Noah’s ark of stuffed animals of every kind sprawls across the main floor, including amazingly huge stuffed animals (although one wonders how you could ever transport them home). If you do venture into FAO Schwartz keep in mind you have zero likelihood of escaping without buying something and prices are not at a discount.
• Grand Slam – Times Square, Broadway between 46th and 47th Street, New York, NY. – Grand Slam is a cornucopia of New York souvenirs ranging from the popular FDNY tee shirts and caps to all things you can possibly imagine that can bear a New York Yankees logo. This store is aimed a tourists but is still loads of fun for sports minded kids.
• NBA Store – 666 Fifth Avenue at 52nd Street, New York, NY. – For the kid who loves basketball, this is your 3-story hops heaven. Authentic NBA merchandise is served up, including great NBA jerseys and basketball shorts. NBA players often make appearances at the NBA store and will sign autographs.
• Manhattan Children’s Theater – 52 White Street (380 Broadway), New York, NY. – The Manhattan Children’s playhouse is a children’s theater that puts on child appropriate productions based on popular fairytales and children’s stories such as Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and the Brothers Grimm stories. These are high quality productions for youngsters, and they will captivate them.
• Metropolitan Museum of Art – 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. – The Metropolitan Art Museum is one the world’s greatest art museums. With an extensive collection containing many of the most famous paintings and artworks ever produced, the Museum will captivate many children, especially those with an interest in painting and art. The Egyptian, Arms and Armor, Medieval and European Painting collections will be enjoyed by the kids.
• Museum of Natural History – Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, N.Y. -The Museum of Natural History is loaded with fun collections and interesting exhibits which will surely capture the fancy of any child, as well as the parents. From Egyptian mummies and sarcophagi, giant stuffed Elephants and wild beasts, dinosaur skeletons (including the now famous “Rexy” from the movie Night at the Museum which greets you at the front door), American Indian relics, totem poles and more. The Museum of Natural History is an outstanding attraction for families.
• SONY Wonder Technology Lab – 550 Madison Ave. & 56th Street, New York, N.Y. – The Sony Wonder technology Lab is a wonderful interactive computer exploration environment for kids. The exhibits include creative interactive applications with cutting edge technologies, such as virtual surgery stations, animation workstations, and nanotechnology and robots stations.
• Theaterworks – 121 Christopher St, New York, N.Y. – Located in Greenwich Village, Theaterworks is a highly acclaimed family oriented theater production company. Shows are available only on weekends, but the performances are top notch and highly acclaimed. Performances cover children’s classics such as Charlotte’s Web, the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Seussical.
• The New Victory Theater – 209 West 42nd Street, New York, NY. – Located in the Broadway district, the New Victory Theater is a youth theater with a little more edge to it, and probably better suited to teens and more mature children. Performances run from the macabre to the more juvenile avant garde style. The interior of the theater is stunningly ornate and with just 500 seats viewing is spectacular.

Source by Nathan Tolland

There is little doubt that above ground pool decks have rapidly increased in popularity over the past several years. While in ground decks are still a valued option, decks designed above ground present a wide array of attractive designs available for the modern homeowner to choose from. The ability to comfortably create a lounge space by the side of a swimming pool is a source of pleasure that is one of the luxuries of modern life you are bound to enjoy. Learning a bit more about the various models of above ground pool decks, their price ranges, construction services, and other factors will help you to make a well-informed decision.

What materials should be used in the design of my deck?

The deck section is designed to surround the circumference of your swimming pool in a way that facilitates easy of entry and exit. The materials that a typical above ground pool deck is made from include pressurized wood and durable forms of plastic. It is really important to choose materials that will be able to withstand discoloration and other changes caused by chemically-treated pool water as well as intense sunlight exposure. Finding the right material can take time and it is advisable to do thorough research on materials for use in above ground pool decks before any decisions are made.

Finding a quality builder

There is the possibility that you could build an above ground pool deck on your own, but a project like this can take many days to complete. Additionally, you will need to have the right materials and building tools necessary to complete the job, along with a fair amount of experience in carpentry and wood working. As a DIY project, building above ground pool decks can be a hobby or profession, but for the typical homeowner, a job of this complexity is best left to the hands of professionals in the industry.

The next step will be to seek out a company with plenty of experience in building above ground pool decks. If there is a specific pool deck design that represents your ideal, you should communicate your ideas clearly to the builder in a way that ensures your deck will be constructed according to your standards. Budgetary issues will also come into play, because some decks for pools are larger and may require more expensive materials than others. Make sure you are well aware of the total cost of the construction project before you sign any contracts, and always choose your deck constructor carefully.

Enjoying your deck

Once your deck has been made according to your tastes and you are happy with it, you can add to the decor of the surrounding area in a variety of ways. Arranging some nice lounge chairs on the deck is an option that could help to improve comfort. An above ground pool deck is among one of the most stylish pool types that can be designed these days. You will likely enjoy many long hours by the pool if you choose to have one installed in your home.

Source by Scott M Beshenich