Karie Reynolds of Grand Avenue PR usually gets in touch when she’s got news about a client … but this time she wants to let me know what she’s been up to.

“My business partner and I have opened the Grand Avenue Baby showroom at the California Market Center,” she announces. “A new concept in the category, we launched the showroom to help emerging and established mom and baby lines connect the dots between PR and sales.”

Located on Kids on 6 at the Los Angeles, CA venue –  touted as is “the most popular and largest showcase among the United States, with over 600 premium brands from around the world” –  the Grand Avenue Baby showroom serves two very important purposes:

1) it provides emerging companies an opportunity to benefit from Grand Avenue PR’s media and influencer relationships and

2) it offers established children’s lines additional exposure to trend-setting West Coast retailers.

Karie tells me that Grand Avenue PR is the only PR firm in the juvenile products category to offer this unprecedented opportunity to combine sales and public relations.

In addition, the brick-and-mortar showroom works together with the online showroom at www.grandavenuebaby.com to feature a unique, hand-picked mix of quality brands  – and more.

“Visitors to the Web site gain access to product information as well as Grand Avenue Baby blog posts on industry trends and highlights, products, topics and expert commentary and opinions,” Karie says. “Visitors to the showroom in the California Market Center have the opportunity to ‘touch and feel’ product and see it showcased in a retail environment.”

Grand Avenue PR founders Karie Reynolds and Barbie Dávalos opened the Grand Avenue Baby showroom in December 2009 with established sales representative Michael Gonzales of Metropolitan Kids.

Cool Beans, Guys! 

 -Janet Muniz

***NEWS FLASH*** Macy’s announces a new program, Macy’s Open Call, created to offer apparel and accessories designers not yet Macy’s vendors the opportunity to introduce their work to Macy’s Fashion Office.

“Macy’s is continuing to invest in new endeavors that focus on inspiring our customer,” says Nicole Fischelis, GVP fashion director. “The program confirms our commitment to featuring the latest trends by finding up-and-coming talent who can offer us product and design perspectives that are fresh and original.”

The program is available to all designers who are at least 18 years old and use EDI compliant manufacturing facilities. Apply online thru January 31 at www.macysinc.com/opencall. The actual Open Call event is scheduled for February 25 and 26 at Macy’s Herald Square in New York, NY.