In the News

MIDWEST-CBK INTRODUCES NEW CHARACTERS, JEWELRY IN POPULAR GENUINE MONKEEZ™ CHILDREN’S GIFT AND HOME DÉCOR COLLECTION 1/5/2010

MIDWEST-CBK LIGHTS UP THE HOLIDAYS WITH EXPANDED WONDERLIGHTS COLLECTION 1/5/2010

MIDWEST-CBK GOES GREEN WITH “WARM AND FUZZY” ORGANIC WOOL HOLIDAY COLLECTION 1/5/2010

MIDWEST-CBK EXPANDS SPECIALTY ORNAMENT COLLECTION WITH 25 PERCENT MORE DESIGNS 1/5/2010

MIDWEST-CBK CELEBRATES 10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORIGINAL S’MORES® WITH NEW COLLECTION 1/5/2010

MIDWEST INTRODUCES EXCLUSIVE NEW HOLIDAY THEMES DURING WINTER 2010 MARKETS 1/5/2010

MIDWEST-CBK INTRODUCES ALL NEW HALLOWEEN AND HARVEST COLLECTIONS 1/5/2010

MIDWEST INTRODUCES NEW COLLECTION OF HOLIDAY KEY ITEMS AT PRICE POINTS UNDER $20 RETAIL 1/5/2010

MIDWEST-CBK INTRODUCES NEW FORMATS, DESIGNS AND INNOVATION IN POPULAR LIGHTS IN THE NIGHT™ COLLECTION 1/5/2010

MIDWEST-CBK DEBUTS COMPANY’S LARGEST, NEW COMBINED HOLIDAY, DÉCOR, GIFT AND CANDLE LINES 1/5/2010

MIDWEST-CBK INTRODUCES NEW COLONIAL CANDLE® FRAGRANCES AND FORMATS FOR SPRING AND EVERYDAY 1/5/2010

MIDWEST-CBK DEBUTS NEW WATERFRONT HOME DÉCOR COLLECTION 1/4/2010

MIDWEST-CBK PIONEERS SNAPRETAIL’S 1/1/2010

MIDWEST-CBK PARTNERS WITH THIS OLD HOUSE MAGAZINE TO DECORATE PRESTIGIOUS PRESIDENTIAL GUEST HOUSE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. 12/21/2009

MIDWEST-CBK PARTNERS WITH THE CHICAGO MARKET: LIVING AND GIVING® TO HOST TWITTER RAFFLE AT THE 12/18/2009

MIDWEST-CBK EXPANDS ATLANTA AND DALLAS SHOWROOMS TO SHOWCASE COMBINED, LARGER LINE 12/15/2009

MIDWEST-CBK SIGNS EXCLUSIVE HOME DÉCOR LICENSE WITH ARTIST JULIE UELAND 12/7/2009

MIDWEST-CBK PRESIDENT FREDERIC CONTINO APPOINTED TO GIFT AND HOME TRADE ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 11/30/2009

MIDWEST-CBK ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES IN “SHOW US YOUR SPARKLE” RETAIL DISPLAY CONTEST 11/17/2009

MIDWEST-CBK JOIN FORCES TO CREATE THE COUNTRY’S PREMIERE GIFT, HOLIDAY, CANDLE, HOME AND GARDEN DÉCOR COMPANY 5/11/2009

CBK INTRODUCES CONSUMER DROP SHIP PROGRAM TO SUPPORT RETAILERS 11/12/2008

CBK TAKES PART IN ABC’S EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION 5/28/2008

CBK RECEIVES C-TPAT CERTIFICATION 4/15/2008





MIDWEST-CBK INTRODUCES NEW CHARACTERS, JEWELRY IN POPULAR GENUINE MONKEEZ™ CHILDREN’S GIFT AND HOME DÉCOR COLLECTION

(Cannon Falls, MN – January 2010) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, has expanded its wildly successful plush Genuine Monkeez sock monkey collection to include new zoo pals characters, new polka dot monkey characters and children’s jewelry. New characters include brightly colored hippo, zebra, elephant and giraffe. Like the monkeys, magnets are hidden inside the zoo friends’ hands and feet for added fun and play value, and tags specially designed for each character feature their name and favorite activity. The expanded Genuine Monkeez collection features 90 fun, brightly colored plush sock monkeys and zoo characters available in up to four sizes, plus puppets and puppet theatre, and new jewelry designs including charm bracelet, necklaces, earrings, pins, keychain and cell phone charms. The collection also features wooden wagon and banana car for the plush characters, back pack clips, nightlights, giftable baby clothing, tote, backpack, magnets, ornaments, chair, all designed by and exclusively available through Midwest-CBK. Genuine Monkeez was designed to appeal to a broad range of independent retailers, including gift shops, zoos, museums, aquariums, floral, hospital gift, toy, airports, book and home décor stores. Genuine Monkeez will debut in Midwest-CBK showrooms across the country during the winter 2010 markets. Suggested retail prices range from $4.50 to $26.50 for most items.

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MIDWEST-CBK LIGHTS UP THE HOLIDAYS WITH EXPANDED WONDERLIGHTS COLLECTION

(Cannon Falls, MN – January 2010) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, introduces an expanded Wonderlights collection featuring new innovations in formats, designs, materials and characters at excellent price points. Featuring more than 90 lighted designs exclusively available through Midwest-CBK, new Wonderlights formats include lighted birthday hat mini shimmer and cake pick for a novel way to decorate and light up a birthday cake, unique lighted bottle toppers in mosaic and shimmer designs, elegant mosaic candles, lighted diorama scenes, mini shimmer characters for holiday and everyday, plus shimmer characters, candles and finials. Wonderlights designs are made of lighted acrylic and feature value price points ranging from $4 to $20 each suggested retail. The Wonderlights collection will debut during the 2010 winter markets in all eight Midwest-CBK showrooms, with shipping available in June 2010.

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MIDWEST-CBK GOES GREEN WITH “WARM AND FUZZY” ORGANIC WOOL HOLIDAY COLLECTION

(Cannon Falls, MN – January 2010) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, introduces an expanded Warm and Fuzzy holiday collection made of organic New Zealand wool. The Warm and Fuzzy collection features 70 handcrafted designs exclusively available through Midwest-CBK, including “Cozy” character ornaments and holiday icon ornaments, knit hats and mittens, wall décor wreaths, stockings, hand bags and elf shoes made of organic knitted and felted New Zealand wool. Most Warm and Fuzzy designs also feature excellent retail price points under $20. Organic felted wool designs feature red, green, blue and white with cheerful stripes and playful polka dots. The Warm and Fuzzy collection will debut during the 2010 winter markets, with shipping available in June 2010.

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MIDWEST-CBK EXPANDS SPECIALTY ORNAMENT COLLECTION WITH 25 PERCENT MORE DESIGNS

(Cannon Falls, MN – January 2010) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, expands its popular specialty ornament collection with 300 new ornaments designed for every major category. Specialty ornament designs depict popular hobbies, interests, sports and activities, pets, professions, tourist destinations and locations, food and wine, holidays beyond Christmas and Halloween, and life’s big moments such as weddings, new home, new baby, christenings, graduations, engagements and anniversaries. The expanded specialty ornament collection was exclusively designed by Midwest-CBK in-studio artists, with styles ranging from realistic to whimsical and light-hearted. Specialty ornaments also feature excellent suggested retail pricing ranging from $2 to $10, with most ornaments averaging $5 each suggested retail. “Specialty ornaments is one of our – and our customers’ – most popular, perennial best-selling lines with reports of excellent sell-through each year, so we’re excited to bring independent retailers even more options and diversity in unique, exclusive designs for 2010,” says Frederic Contino, Midwest-CBK President. “Our artists’ attention to detail combined with outstanding pricing makes this the strongest specialty ornament collection in our company’s history, and I believe in the industry.” Most Midwest-CBK specialty ornaments may be personalized, and can also be sold year-round.

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MIDWEST-CBK CELEBRATES 10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORIGINAL S’MORES® WITH NEW COLLECTION

(Cannon Falls, MN – January 2010) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, celebrates the 10th anniversary of its popular The Original S’mores Collection with a new line of commemorative ornaments featuring “2010,” monograms, miniature sizes, a peace sign, a heart, and many more. Suggested retail prices range from $2.50 to $9 depending on size. The new Original S’mores Collection will debut during winter 2010 markets in all eight Midwest-CBK showrooms. The Original S’mores debuted in 2000 as a single S’mores character ornament featuring the beloved marshmallow perched atop a chocolate bar and graham cracker, enjoyed by children and adults across the U.S. The Original S’mores ornament became an overnight success, with retailers demanding more designs and formats of this endearing character. Since its inception, more than one million Original S’mores designs have been sold in the U.S., and the designs quickly became collector’s items with collectors anticipating the launch of new S’mores designs each year to add to their collections. At the height of the collection’s popularity, The Original S’mores line included more than 250 designs including a wide selection of ornaments, garland, tree toppers, tabletop, serveware and more.

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MIDWEST INTRODUCES EXCLUSIVE NEW HOLIDAY THEMES DURING WINTER 2010 MARKETS

(Cannon Falls, MN – January 2010) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, introduces 25 new holiday collections designed exclusively by in-studio and licensed Midwest-CBK artists. The new holiday collections range from traditional to nostalgic to whimsical and contemporary. Holiday collections will debut during 2010 winter markets, with shipping beginning in June 2010. “Our new holiday collections are the strongest I’ve ever seen, featuring original, exclusive characters and designs, innovative formats and materials, and an emphasis on tradition – with a twist, which is what Midwest-CBK is renowned for,” says Midwest President Frederic Contino. Midwest-CBK’s new holiday collections include: • Merry Little Christmas: A traditional collection filled with characters and familiar icons, merchandized in a mercantile setting. This collection has a vintage feel designed to appeal to a broad range of customers. Line includes exclusive Santa, snowman and angel figures and ornaments; African-American Santa and angels figures and ornaments; bottle brush tree sets; sequined pillows, tree skirts, stocking, table runner and tea towels; witch eye candle accessories and ornaments; and blown glass ornaments. • Santa Gallery: Santa is the best-selling character during the holidays, so Midwest-CBK’s in-house design team created Santa Gallery, featuring a collection of exclusive Santa paintings applied to unique volume-driven formats, including figures and ornaments, canvas prints, decorator plates, shimmer image disks, LED Santa image candles, decoupage image ornaments, Santa clock, “Believe” beverage glasses, tree skirt, stocking, apron, and Santa image pin jewelry. • Gracious Holiday: Gracious Holiday is an elegant, lavish, and sophisticated collection designed to grace the home with a decorator approach. Featuring Santa and floral prints and patterns, and luscious organics, designs include Santa, elf and deer figures and ornaments; sleighs, tree sets and tabletop accessories; wall sconces, card holders and ornament hangers; fabric stocking, tree skirts, pillows, table runners; organics, picks, stems and sprays; tassels; stocking hangers; and blown glass ornaments. • Peppermint Twist: A contemporary collection in bright red and white, Peppermint Twist focuses on giftable hostess items and key holiday icons. Designs include snowman figures and ornaments, acrylic figures, candy cane and candy twist ornaments, cookie ornaments, tabletop accessories, fabric apron, child apron, runner and oven mitts, and key giftable, packaged hostess items. • Snowfun: Featuring whimsical snowmen in a bright, cheerful color palette, Snowfun is exclusive to Midwest-CBK. Both contemporary and hand-crafted in style, designs include snowman figures and ornaments; bottle brush tree, wreath and snowflakes; beaded and graphic ornaments; fabric stocking, hat and mittens; bottle brush wall décor; tinsel wall décor, ornaments and garlands; snowman water globes; and display snowflakes and wall décor. • Tis the Season: Tis the Season is an exclusive, traditional holiday collection of characters and ornaments in terra cotta at excellent, value-driven prices. Designs include traditional Santa, snowman and elf figures and ornaments, fabric appliquéd pillows and wall décor and canvas banners. • Sugared Fruit: Sugared Fruit features a fashion-driven story of angels, birds and fruit, with colors that are on-trend, fashionable and inviting with an organic feel. Colors include green, purple, deep pink, frosted red and gold. Designs include angel, deer, bird, butterfly and fruit ornaments and figures; damask printed mirror wall décor; flicker candles and ornaments; organic stems and sprays; urn wall décor; butterfly and flower garlands; fabric pillow ornaments; and damask print ribbon. • Tinsel Town: Tinsel Town is an elegant, glitter-filled collection in shimmery, sparkling silver, white and black, focusing on the icons of holiday and New Year’s parties. Designs include reindeer figure, frames, wall décor, ornaments, tree toppers, cityscape scenes, dance motif ornaments, fashion icon ornaments, and drink imagery ornaments.

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MIDWEST-CBK INTRODUCES ALL NEW HALLOWEEN AND HARVEST COLLECTIONS

(Cannon Falls, MN – January 2010) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, introduces all new Halloween and Harvest collections featuring nearly 200 new designs. The new collections feature a range of fresh, contemporary and traditional items with a focus on unique characters in budget-friendly formats, exclusively designed by Midwest-CBK in-studio artists. Most new designs feature key suggested retail prices under $25. The new Halloween and Harvest collections will debut during winter 2010 markets in all eight Midwest-CBK showrooms. The company’s new Halloween and Harvest collections include: • Haunt the Night: Featuring a stylized, contemporary, fresh Halloween collection for the home, Haunt the Night features classic colors Halloween colors of orange, black and white, and spooky characters to create a fun party environment for kids and adults alike. Formats include popular wall clings, wearable witch hats, ceramic hostess gifts, two dimensional paper crafts, and lighting. • Warm and Scary: Warm and Scary is a collection of endearing characters made of organic New Zealand wool hand-crafted in Nepal, and terra cotta. The collection’s unique, fun and functional designs including treat bags, trick-or-treat creatures, jack-o’-lanterns and pumpkins appeal to a broad range of customers. Patterns include playful polka dots and stripes. • Bountiful Harvest: Featuring a collection of traditional designed harvest icons in warm colors of brown, orange, copper and yellow. Exclusively designed characters include harvest angels, pilgrims, Native Americans, turkeys and pumpkins available in a variety of materials such as glass, metal and resin, in sizes ideal for creating an inviting centerpiece, or for the mantel or buffet. “Halloween is the second largest holiday behind Christmas, and family spending on Halloween decorating and parties is on an upward trend,” says Frederic Contino, Midwest-CBK President. “We’ve created this all-new Halloween and Harvest line to provide independent retailers with opportunities for increased sales through strong, exclusive designs combined with budget-friendly prices.”

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MIDWEST INTRODUCES NEW COLLECTION OF HOLIDAY KEY ITEMS AT PRICE POINTS UNDER $20 RETAIL

(Cannon Falls, MN – January 2010) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, introduces 23 stand-alone, novelty holiday items featuring key price points under $20 suggested retail, designed for placement at the cash register to drive volume and create impact for independent retailers. New holiday key items include: • Wood Gift Stacking Games: Designed for families to create a new holiday tradition, players place the first piece on any flat surface and see how many holiday icons can be stacked upwards. Made of wood. Four designs to choose from including Santa with stackable gifts, elves with stackable gifts, snowman with stackable snowflakes and angels with stackable stars. Halloween designs include witch with stackable bats, and ghost with stackable pumpkins. Fun for all ages. Suggested retail price: $15. • Holiday Party Hat Headbands: Whimsical party hat headbands make any gathering fun and festive! Headbands available in Santa hat, top hat, party hat, elf hat, angel halo and devil horns. Halloween designs available in witch hat and spider headbands and bracelets. Suggested retail price: $2 to $11 each. • Santa Stop Here Sign: Children place this magical, lighted "Santa Stop Here" sign in the window on Christmas Eve to invite Santa to stop inside! A fun way to start a new family tradition. Suggested retail price: $5 each. • Santa Plate, Mug and Bell: A long-celebrated tradition for many families, children fill the plate with cookies and the mug with milk for Santa on Christmas Eve! The bell adds a fun new twist. Made of ceramic. Suggested retail price is $17. “Our new holiday key items provide fun, affordable stocking stuffers, gifts, and items that appeal to a broad range of customers, and designed for independent retailers to quickly ring up sales and enjoy excellent margins,” says Midwest President Frederic Contino. Midwest-CBK’s holiday key items will debut during the winter markets in the company’s showrooms across the country, with products available for shipping in June 2010.

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MIDWEST-CBK INTRODUCES NEW FORMATS, DESIGNS AND INNOVATION IN POPULAR LIGHTS IN THE NIGHT™ COLLECTION

(Cannon Falls, MN – January 2010) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, introduces new formats and innovation in techniques in its popular Lights in the Night night light collection. Featuring 120 night light designs, the newest technique showcases mosaic holiday and everyday icons, photo frame shimmer night lights, new children’s designs and chandelier night lights all exclusively available at Midwest-CBK. Mosaic glass is inset onto acrylic shapes, elegantly illuminated from behind with beautiful colors shining through. Shimmer photo frame night lights allow customers to personalize their night light as a gift or for their own use at home. New children’s designs include cute monster, fairy princess, race car, princess, rock and roll and cat on fishbowl. New chandelier night lights are available in red, red and green, green, clear, amber and rose colors. Laser cut metal Halloween designs feature contemporary styling, available in bat, crow, witch, spider and skeleton icons. Lights in the Night feature key suggested retail price points ranging from $12 to $20 each. The Lights in the Night collection will debut during the 2010 winter markets in all eight Midwest-CBK showrooms.

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MIDWEST-CBK DEBUTS COMPANY’S LARGEST, NEW COMBINED HOLIDAY, DÉCOR, GIFT AND CANDLE LINES

(Cannon Falls, MN – January 2010) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, introduces its first major combined line since merging in May, featuring the company’s largest combined launch of holiday, home décor, gift and candle products to date. The new collection, featuring more than 2,500 new SKUs, will be introduced during the 2010 winter markets in all Midwest-CBK showrooms. “Retailers have formally and informally told us that what they want from Midwest-CBK is more new product designs combined with returning best sellers, so we’ve invested more time and resources than ever before in our product development and design process to ultimately boost ‘design, style and sparkle’ in new, exciting and re-imagined products across all of our holiday, home décor, gift and candle collections,” says Midwest-CBK President Frederic Contino. “We literally took the wraps off our product development and creative process to develop new collections that feature a broader range of popular styles than ever before, with new innovations in materials, and a focus on best-selling formats, and outstanding pricing.” The new holiday collections feature exclusive designs, with an emphasis on tradition – with a twist – and character-driven designs including the elegant Gracious Holiday and Santa Gallery, to the playful Tis the Season, Merry Little Christmas, Peppermint Twist and Snow Fun. Fashion- and color-driven looks include the dramatic Tinsel Town and Sugared Fruit. Wildly popular novelty night lights and shimmer lights are also re-designed in new materials, formats and techniques featured in Wonder Lights and Lights in the Night. Organic materials are also back in a strong way as part of the Warm & Fuzzy organic wool collection, featuring new Cozies felted characters. New holiday key items include a wooden stacking game, holiday party headbands, Santa Stop Here sign and new Wa La La wall clings. Specialty ornaments feature 25 percent more SKUs, with all professions, sports, hobbies, and life events (baby’s first Christmas, wedding, etc.) covered. Popular gift collections return with more designs including Genuine Monkeez & Friends featuring zoo pals in the same colorful plush with magnetized hands and feet, and the Suzy Toronto expanded licensed collection including new night shirts, travel mugs and necklaces. New home décor collections featuring new designs including an expanded Casa Cristina line; new lamps with many under $100 suggested retail; architectural tabletop, wall décor and accent furniture; Waterfront featuring eco-friendly materials and exclusive designs by licensed artist Julie Euland; elegant photo frames by licensed artist Belinda Miley; and unique wall clocks. The new Colonial Candle introduction includes eight new spring fragrances such as Vanilla Lavender, Pink Cherry Blossom, Bamboo Garden, Cactus Flower, Berry Sorbet, Simple Breeze, Sea Spray and Basil Garden. Travel tins and spring luminaries at key retail price points will also be introduced during the January markets. To request a catalog or for more information about the new Midwest-CBK collections, please contact your local sales representative, visit one of Midwest-CBK’s eight showrooms (Atlanta, Billerica, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattle), or call Midwest-CBK at 800-394-4225.

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MIDWEST-CBK INTRODUCES NEW COLONIAL CANDLE® FRAGRANCES AND FORMATS FOR SPRING AND EVERYDAY

(Cannon Falls, MN – January 2010) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, introduces a new collection of Colonial Candle fragrances and formats for spring and everyday, to debut during winter 2010 markets in all eight Midwest-CBK showrooms across the country. Colonial Candle’s new Spring and Everyday line features 150 new items, including eight new, trend-driven fragrances, new travel tins and elegant luminaries. “Thanks to customer requests, our new Colonial Candle collection provides more new fragrances and formats for spring and everyday,” says Frederic Contino, Midwest-CBK president. “We developed our new scents with the top fragrance houses, based on the most current trends in the marketplace, providing retailers with a whole new range of options for their stores.” Colonial Candle’s new Spring and Everyday collection includes: Eight New Fragrances Consumer research has shown that fragrance is the key reason why consumers buy candles, and Colonial Candle is renowned for its exceptional fragrances, designed in partnership with the top fragrance houses in the world. During the winter 2010 markets, Colonial Candle is introducing eight new, trend-inspired fragrances, including Vanilla Lavender, Pink Cherry Blossom, Bamboo Garden, Simple Breeze, Berry Sorbet, Basil Garden, Cactus Flower and Sea Spray. All new fragrances are available in a wide variety of container candles and sizes (Ovals, Flared Squares and Traditions) and votives, tealights, trialights and pillars. New fragrances include: • Vanilla Lavender: Lavender infused with powdery vanilla and gentle musk create a relaxing aroma. Individually, vanilla and lavender are two of Colonial Candle’s perennial best-sellers. Fragrance notes include bergamot, jasmine petals, lemon, heliotrope, lavender, white flora, amber, vanilla, and musk. • Pink Cherry Blossom: Fresh raspberry and crisp apple mix with soft floral scents resting on a rich cherry wood background. Fragrance notes include apple, pear, apricot, lily, orange blossom, jasmine, cherry wood and musk. • Bamboo Garden: Bamboo leaves combined with lotus blossom, ylang and rose create a fresh, global-inspired fragrance. Rich white musk and sandalwood complete this worldly treasure. Fragrance notes include Fuji apple, bamboo, bergamot, ylang, lotus blossom, rose, amber, sandalwood and white musk. • Cactus Flower: Agave nectar accord splashed with lime oil and lime zest give a fresh and dimensional burst to this enlivened fragrance. Fragrance notes include lime, orange, honey accord, orange blossom, soft woods and musk. • Simple Breeze: Dewy greens and fresh ozonic nuances highlight muguet, lavender and geranium. Warm musk and sandalwood reinforce the fresh outdoor feeling. Fragrance notes include dewy greens, ozone, citrus, lavender, geranium, musk and sandalwood. • Sea Spray: Crisp marine notes blend with bursts of lively green sea grass, salty sea foam and smooth coastal driftwood amid sun warmed accents. Fragrance notes feature sea grass, herbal, marine, ozone, driftwood, sea salt complex and amber. • Berry Sorbet: A fresh medley of energizing berries and grape with a touch of rich port yields this luscious aroma. Fragrance notes feature acai berry, cherry, raspberry, blueberry, grape, port, vanilla and musk. • Basil Garden: Fresh anise, basil and lime mix with crisp parsley and coriander to create this culinary delight. Fragrance notes feature anise, basil, lime, lemon, grapefruit, parsley, carrot leaf and coriander. Suggested retail prices range from $2.25 for votives to $25 for the 22-ounce oval containers. New Travel Tins Colonial Candle introduces new 3.5 ounce Travel Tins, providing a great way to take along a favorite fragrance while traveling, or to try a new fragrance at an excellent, introductory price point. Colonial Candle Travel Tin candles are individually packaged in stylish tins with lids, and come in a display box for ease of placement at retail. Travel Tins are available in eight new and best-selling spring and everyday fragrances including Cranberry Cosmo, Simply Vanilla, Cozy Cashmere, Island Blossom, Sea Spray, Simple Breeze, Tibetan Sandalwood, and Pink Cherry Blossom. Suggested retail price is $4.99 each. New Spring Decorative Luminaries Colonial Candle also introduces new luminaries featuring an elegant, embossed vine pattern that allows candlelight to flicker through. Luminaries are available in ivory, limoncello, pink quartz, berry, coastal blue, willow green, traditional cranberry and moss green. Luminaries are unfragranced and reusable, and ideal as budget-friendly springtime gifts including Mother’s Day, end-of-year teacher gifts, bridal showers and more. Luminaries measure 4 x 4 inches, and suggested retail price is $9.99 each.

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MIDWEST-CBK DEBUTS NEW WATERFRONT HOME DÉCOR COLLECTION

(Cannon Falls, MN – January 2010) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, debuts its new Waterfront home décor collection with nearly 70 designs inspired by the trend in decorating with coastal- and water-influenced designs and neutral color palettes. The new Waterfront collection will be introduced during the winter 2010 markets in Midwest-CBK showrooms across the country. Inspired by the restful, relaxed environment of waterfront and coastal destinations, the new Waterfront collection features casual styling and a water-inspired color palette of soft blues and greens, white and brown. Designed to complement a broad range of home décor styles, Waterfront features multiple textures and mixed materials, and icons inspired by waterfront settings such as sea shells, fish, mermaids, birds, wave patterns, sea glass, driftwood, coral, seagrass and rattan. The initial Waterfront collection features home décor and gift designs including sea glass and recycles bottle cap wind chimes, garden stakes, weather vanes and table décor, wall décor, wave textured photo frames and vases, sea shell and sea glass photo frames and candle holders, oar design wall racks and wall decor, reclaimed wood and glass candle holders, mirrors, table lamps, driftwood frames and décor, and woven rattan and bangkuan basket sets. Suggested retail prices range from $10 to $100.

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MIDWEST-CBK PIONEERS SNAPRETAIL’S

January 1, 2010—Midwest-CBK, a leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, announces it will be the first manufacturer with a direct sales force to participate in the SnapRetail TrafficBuilder program. TrafficBuilder will enable their 30,000+ customers to easily market Midwest-CBK products using new media tools, such as email, Facebook and Twitter, and will be available on April 1, 2010. SnapRetail will offer a free three month, no-obligation trial of TrafficBuilder (April-June, 2010) to retailers who sign up before March 31, 2009. To see a preview of the TrafficBuilder, please go to www.snapretail/trafficbuilder-video. “Midwest-CBK has long been a pioneer in providing retailers with tools to boost sell through”, said Rick Contino, President of Midwest-CBK. “We plan to continue that tradition by becoming the first vendor with a dedicated sales force to offer TrafficBuilder tools to our customers. We want to help our retailers succeed with Internet marketing tools designed to drive consumers to their stores.” “We are very pleased that Midwest-CBK, the visionary wholesale industry leader, continues to be a pioneer in the industry by participating in the TrafficBuilder,” said Ted Teele, CEO of SnapRetail. This shows that Midwest-CBK is focusing on helping their independent retailers grow, which is a real tribute to them in these challenging economic times.” And Terry Stewart, Executive Vice-President for Sales of Midwest-CBK, added: “TrafficBuilder will help our customers sell a broad range of our more than 7,500 products, from popular holiday collections to renowned Colonial Candle home fragrances, and popular licenses such as Casa Cristina, Belinda Miley, Suzy Toronto, Wendy Addison, and Genuine Monkeez to our stylish home décor, garden, accessory, and gift product collections.” Midwest-CBK customers interested in signing up for the FREE trial can speak with their Midwest-CBK representatives, beginning on January 5th at the Atlanta market and then throughout the U.S. Or they can visit www.snapretail.com/trafficbuilder-signup to sign up online. About SnapRetail: SnapRetail is dedicated to helping independent retailers prosper by helping them “sell through” the products they purchase from their vendors. The new TrafficBuilder Marketing program will enable retailers to EASILY leverage the best of e-marketing and social media with compelling “content” from many of their favorite vendors. TrafficBuilder will make it EASY to increase store traffic and sales. Beginning on January 4, 2010, retailers can sign up for a FREE trial of TrafficBuilder by speaking with sales representatives from Midwest-CBK, or by visiting www.snapretail.com.

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MIDWEST-CBK PARTNERS WITH THIS OLD HOUSE MAGAZINE TO DECORATE PRESTIGIOUS PRESIDENTIAL GUEST HOUSE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

(Cannon Falls, MN – December 21, 2009) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle in home décor, gifts, holiday and candles, is proud to announce their ornaments and garlands were recently selected to decorate the Blair House, President Obama’s guest house for foreign heads of state and dignitaries visiting the president, in Washington, D.C. Colette Scanlon Ortiz, the design editor of This Old House magazine, selected more than 20 ornaments, garlands, candleholders and candles to decorate the presidential guest house, located just a few doors down from The White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. Midwest-CBK ornaments, including the Knitted Sweater, Stocking and Mitten Ornaments; Green Glass Ball Ornaments; and Snowflake Ball Ornaments are prominently shown in photos of the decorated Blair House, which can be seen at http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20325468_20712930,00.html. The United States Department of State, which manages the use of Blair House, teamed up with the Magazine Publishers of America to decorate the venue. The editors of This Old House magazine decorated the Lincoln Room and Truman Study, and selected Midwest-CBK holiday décor to recreate the style of Christmas 1951 during President Truman’s time in office. The Blair House held a reception hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to honor families with spouses serving in the military overseas. Prominent editors also attended the event, including This Old House’s Colette Ortiz, Martha Stewart, and editors from Better Homes & Gardens, Traditional Home, Natural Home and Mother Earth News. “Everyone loved the Truman Study, and we received rave reviews on Midwest-CBK’s ornaments,” says Ortiz. “We’re honored to have our holiday décor chosen to decorate such a prestigious venue in our nation’s capitol, as well as partner with Ms. Ortiz and her team at one of the country’s most popular shelter magazines” says Frederic Contino, Midwest-CBK President. Midwest-CBK’s designs have also appeared on NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” NBC’s “Today Show,” ABC’s “Good Morning America,” ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “The Martha Stewart Show,” and in many high profile consumer magazines including O The Oprah Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal and more.

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MIDWEST-CBK PARTNERS WITH THE CHICAGO MARKET: LIVING AND GIVING® TO HOST TWITTER RAFFLE AT THE

CHICAGO (December 2009) - The Chicago Market: Living and Giving® will once again offer attendees an exciting opportunity to stream show content live, in real-time, directly from the show floors every day. Inspired by the broad reach of social networking and the convenience of real-time conversation, The Chicago Market encourages its showrooms, exhibitors, buyers, retailers and sales reps to micro-blog through Twitter.com before, during and after its upcoming January Market, January 21-27, 2010. “We encourage buyers, retailers, exhibitors, and showrooms to participate in this Twitter campaign and share their unique Market information throughout the show,” said Joan Ulrich, senior vice president, MMPI. “Twitter is a great tool that not only allows a free flow of useful information, but it also encourages collaboration and community within our industry.” The Chicago Market is excited to partner with industry leader Midwest-CBK (Suite 13-155) to promote this opportunity for attendees to share show content live directly from the show floors. Attending buyers, retailers, exhibitors, showrooms at this year’s Chicago Market can capture and share activities and event happenings at the show via Twitter under the hashtag #Chitowngift. Buyers, retailers, exhibitors and showrooms are also encouraged to Tweet upcoming specials, show events and other pertinent show information before and after the Market. “Midwest-CBK is partnering with the Chicago Market to bring January market attendees a cutting-edge way to take word-of-mouth information and amplify it, sharing tips, real-time information and updates throughout the market, and the opportunity to win great prizes,” said Frederic Contino, president, Midwest-CBK. “Twitter is a good, free resource for buyers, retailers, showrooms and exhibitors, and brings the Chicago Market experience to a new level.” In addition to up-to-the-minute updates on events, programming and other happenings, Chicago Market followers can win fantastic prizes. Simply use the Chicago Market hashtag (#chitowngift) in all market-related tweets from January 14 – January 27 and each tweet will count as a raffle ticket. Winners will be chosen each day, Friday, January 22 – Monday, January 25, and will receive a Flip digital camcorder. A grand prize winner will be chosen on the last day of Market, Wednesday, January 27, and will receive a Sony 32” Bravia S-Series Flat Screen LCD TV. To join the conversation or enter the raffle, follow @Chicago_Market on Twitter and provide your thoughts leading up to and during the show with the official event hashtag #chitowngift. Go to http://twitter.com/Chicago_Market to join Twitter for free and receive real-time updates. For more information visit shopchicagomarket.com. *NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Odds depend on number of applicants who participate. Retail values of prizes are $130 and $430. Participants enter from January 14, 2010 through January 27, 2010. Drawings will be held on January 22, 23, 24, 25 and 27, 2010 and the winner will be notified by the email address provided by January 27, 2010. Rules available upon request. 2010 Chicago Market: Living and Giving® Thursday, January 21 – Wednesday, January 27, 2010. Temporaries and Beckman's Handcrafted Show® Saturday, January 23 – Tuesday, January 26, 2010. **The Chicago Market and Gifts & Decorative Accessories Magazine are offering three FREE issues as a thank you to buyers who pre-register for the January 2010 Market in appreciation of their support. Visit www.chicagomarket.com for more information. Midwest-CBK sparkles as the national design leader in home décor, gifts, holiday, and candles. Midwest-CBK is proud to bring independent retailers more choices in style, design and sparkle of exclusive and unique products, made simple with one simplified ordering program and four convenient ways to order. Please call 800-394-4225 or visit www.mwcbk.com for more information. Midwest-CBK’s Chicago showroom is located in Suite 13-155. The Chicago Market: Living and Giving is a trademark of MMPI. Beckman’s Handcrafted Gift Show is a registered trademark of MMPI. The Chicago Market: Living and Giving is the longest running gift show in the United States and is a quarterly wholesale tradeshow designed for store owners, retail buyers and designers to shop a wide array of quality products ranging from home accents and furniture to handcrafted or eco-friendly product to collectible items, holiday, baby/children's product, gourmet and more. The Chicago Merchandise Mart is located at 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654. For more information call 800.677.6278 (MART) or visit www.shopchicagomarket.com. MMPI is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year. MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center in Washington D.C. Vornado Realty Trust, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.

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MIDWEST-CBK EXPANDS ATLANTA AND DALLAS SHOWROOMS TO SHOWCASE COMBINED, LARGER LINE

(Cannon Falls, MN – December 15, 2009) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle in home décor, gifts, holiday and candles, announces it has expanded and combined its Atlanta and Dallas showrooms to one convenient location in each market to showcase the company’s combined collections and improve retailers’ shopping experience. The newly combined and expanded Dallas and Atlanta showrooms will debut during the 2010 winter markets. Midwest-CBK’s Atlanta showroom, located in AmericasMart’s Building 1, Suite 16A7, now features nearly 20,000 square feet. A grand opening celebration will be held in the Atlanta showroom on Friday, January 8, at 4 p.m. during the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. The company’s new Dallas showroom, located in Suites 407 and 409 in the Dallas Market Center, has more than doubled in size, featuring nearly 20,000 square feet. A grand opening celebration will be held in the showroom on Friday, January 15, at 4 p.m. during the Dallas Total Home and Gift Market. Midwest-CBK’s expanded showrooms will also feature innovative, new display ideas for retailers. “We’re very excited to provide our customers with expanded spaces to showcase our combined collections and innovative display ideas,” says Midwest-CBK President Frederic Contino. “We are investing in our expanded, larger showrooms nationwide to improve the shopping experience for retailers, giving them more space to move, and view and shop the breadth of our newly combined and larger collections.” Midwest-CBK leads the industry in showroom presence across the country, with showrooms in Atlanta, Billerica, Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis, New York, Seattle and Las Vegas.

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MIDWEST-CBK SIGNS EXCLUSIVE HOME DÉCOR LICENSE WITH ARTIST JULIE UELAND

(Cannon Falls, MN – December 7, 2009) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle in home décor, gifts, holiday and candles, announces it has signed an exclusive license with artist Julie Ueland to create and sell her Tradewinds home décor collection to independent retailers. The new collection will debut during the 2010 winter markets, available in Midwest-CBK showrooms across the country. Inspired by the restful, relaxed environment of waterfront and tropical destinations, the Tradewinds collection features a casual, elegant style with Ueland’s trademark twist – a splash of personality and sense of humor. Designed to complement a broad range of home décor styles, Tradewinds features a subtle tropical theme with a warm palette and splashes of bright colors, multiple textures and mixed media, and icons inspired by warm-weather and waterfront settings such as bamboo, banana leaves, birds, seashells and fish. The initial Tradewinds collection features 28 home décor and gift designs in glass, metal and ceramic including wall décor, tabletop and serveware, vases, candleholders, and table lamps. Suggested retail prices range from $10 to $150. “I’ve had the privilege of getting a taste for all sides of the business as a designer, educator, independent retailer, manufacturer and marketer, which has given me great perspective and insight into what customers are looking for - something unique, something beautiful and fresh in home décor, yet also affordable and of exceptional quality, and that’s the sweet spot that my collection speaks to,” says Ueland. “I like to bring something a little unexpected to each design – something that makes you smile, that you want to dwell on for a moment. I’m excited to partner with Midwest-CBK’s talented product development team, sales force and everyone in between, to do that - bring independent retailers something fresh and different to share with their customers.” Having spent her life as an artist, designer, educator, manufacturer, retailer and entrepreneur, Ueland has made art a business – and a way of life. Born and raised in Washington, Ueland is inspired by the beauty of the scenic Pacific Northwest, where water is “just a part of your lifestyle.” Today, Ueland lives by the Columbia River in Oregon with her family. Ueland’s passion for art and design began as a little girl, when she took private art lessons from a British impressionist painter and teacher. After college, Ueland became an art teacher, then opened her own studio, designing and manufacturing jewelry, which she sold to Nordstrom and Macy’s. Her designs expanded into fashion and bridal accessories, then custom tile, and eventually tableware and gifts, allowing her to design in a wide range of materials and formats. She also opened and ran a storefront, giving her first-hand experience as an independent retailer. Ueland is also actively involved in improving the lives of women around the world, including working with the non-profit organization Forward Edge to help underprivileged women in Nicaragua start their own businesses and stay out of poverty by making hand bags from bark material native to the area.

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MIDWEST-CBK PRESIDENT FREDERIC CONTINO APPOINTED TO GIFT AND HOME TRADE ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(Cannon Falls, MN – November 30, 2009) – The Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA) appointed to its board of directors Frederic Contino, President of Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle in home décor, gifts, holiday and candles. Contino joins the 13-person board to lead and transform the gift and home industry, ensuring long-term health and success. “Rick brings a fresh dimension to the GHTA board, lending his leadership, expertise and vision for the future,” says Diane Carnevale Jones, GHTA Executive Director. “The GHTA, industry and retailers stand to benefit from his strategic perspective and commitment to innovation and growth.” Contino, President of Midwest-CBK since 2006, brings more than 30 years of leadership experience to the GHTA board and recently oversaw the successful merger of Midwest and CBK. Contino also serves as board member and membership chair for the National Candle Association, and has also served as Group Board Chairman-Vistage, President and CEO of Playcore Inc., President of Anchor Hocking Plastics and Newell Plastics, as well as senior management positions with Anchor Hocking Glass, Eagle Affiliates, Mirro/Wearever Cookware, Club Aluminum Cookware, Hamilton Beach, and International Silver Company. The GHTA is the major trade association of U.S. gift and home manufacturers and retailers. Its members are dedicated to promoting best business practices and professional development, establishing standards and ethical guidelines, and collecting and sharing industry information.

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MIDWEST-CBK ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES IN “SHOW US YOUR SPARKLE” RETAIL DISPLAY CONTEST

(Cannon Falls, MN – November 17, 2009) – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle in home décor, gifts, holiday and candles, announces a call for entries in its third annual “Show Us Your Sparkle” in-store retail holiday display contest for independent retailers. Independent retailers are invited to submit up to two photos of their Midwest-CBK holiday displays, a 150-word description and if possible, impact in terms of increased traffic, sales and customer feedback. Criteria for judging include creativity and impact. Prizes include awards and Midwest-CBK product credits, which will be presented for first, second and third place. “Now in our third year of hosting this popular retail awards program, Midwest-CBK is sponsoring the 2009 ‘Show Us Your Sparkle’ contest to celebrate, recognize and share the creative display and event ideas that are helping to drive traffic and sales for independent retail business,” says Frederic Contino, president of Midwest-CBK. The deadline for Midwest-CBK’s “Show Us Your Sparkle” contest entries is December 4, 2009. All digital photo entries and descriptions should be emailed to your local Midwest-CBK account manager, or directly to contest@mwcbk.com. To find your local Midwest-CBK account manager, please call 800-394-4225. Winners will be announced at the end of December, and photos of the award winners will be on display in all major Midwest-CBK showrooms during the winter markets.

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MIDWEST-CBK JOIN FORCES TO CREATE THE COUNTRY’S PREMIERE GIFT, HOLIDAY, CANDLE, HOME AND GARDEN DÉCOR COMPANY

(Cannon Falls, MN – May 11, 2009) – Midwest of Cannon Falls, Inc., a leading designer and manufacturer of the Colonial Candle® and Seasons of Cannon Falls® brand products, and CBK Styles, Inc., a leading wholesaler of quality home and garden décor, gifts and accessories under the CBK Styles® brand, proudly announce today a major merger in the giftware and home décor industries, with the introduction of Midwest-CBK, a premiere home accents company. The newly combined company, Midwest-CBK, unites two renowned and highly respected market leaders, combining the strengths of both companies with best-in-class people, products, service and support into one source for independent retailers. The Midwest-CBK merger will be led by Frederic Contino as president, with Terry Stewart as executive vice president of sales, Renee Solczak as vice president of national accounts, and Renee Williams as vice president of independent accounts.

“We are excited and proud to combine the power and resources of two extraordinary, successful companies with strong values and similar business practices into one, creating the foremost single source for outstanding products, as well as a renowned sales force and superior customer service for independent retailers,” says Frederic Contino, president, Midwest-CBK. “Although Midwest and CBK have their own unique and separate histories, we have always shared a common goal of serving the same independent retailers with outstanding, on-trend, competitively priced products, and backing that up with a dedicated sales force and responsive, reliable customer service. Our alliance brings many benefits and opportunities to retailers through an unmatched selection of gift and home products from one company, more innovation in products and programs, depth of design, sourcing, manufacturing resources and customer service and support, backed by a company that is stronger than ever as one.”

“As Midwest-CBK’s parent company, Blyth has made an investment in combining these two power players, showing our confidence in the giftware and home décor industries, and in the growth opportunities of Midwest-CBK,” said Robert B. Goergen, Jr., president of Blyth, Inc.’s Multi-Channel Group.

Midwest-CBK will continue to offer its three key brands: Seasons of Cannon Falls, Colonial Candle and CBK Styles. The company will operate with offices and manufacturing plants in Cannon Falls, Minn.; Elkin, N.C.; Franklin, Tenn.; Hong Kong; Shenzhen, China; and Union City, Tenn.

The merged Midwest-CBK will provide retailers: • The broadest range and styles of holiday, seasonal, gift, candle, home and garden décor products from one company. • Greater field support at the store level to help drive retail business. • A commitment to design and innovation. • More convenient showroom locations across the U.S., with eight locations totaling over 100,000 combined square feet. • Industry-renowned customer service that is responsive and reliable. • Retailer-friendly web sites with full ordering capabilities to make order placement and management easy and accessible any time. • State-of-the-art distribution centers in Elkin, N.C., and Union City, T.N. • A strong partner with a long-term strategy to help retailers grow and succeed. For more information about the Midwest-CBK merger or product lines, please contact your local Midwest-CBK account manager, visit one of Midwest-CBK’s eight showrooms, or call Midwest-CBK at 800-776-2075, or visit www.midwestofcannonfalls or www.cbkhome.com.

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CBK INTRODUCES CONSUMER DROP SHIP PROGRAM TO SUPPORT RETAILERS

UNION CITY, TN – November 12, 2008 – In order to provide the most innovative and efficient services to its customers, CBK, one of the country’s leading wholesalers of quality home décor, gifts, and accessories, has launched a new Consumer Drop Ship Program – CBKwik Ship. This new program will allow CBK customers to compete more aggressively in this tough retail environment by allowing them to greatly expand their product offering with no inventory investment.

The CBKwik Ship Program supports any retailer who recognizes the “e-tail” channel growth and growing place in the retail landscape. Designed to be a complete and flexible tool for retailers with and without brick and mortar stores, CBK is leveraging its dominant and centrally located stocked warehouse inventory to provide rapid and accurate shipping support.

“CBK constantly strives to provide its customers with more efficient and innovative ways of managing their businesses and is proud to have the infrastructure and experience to carry a ground-breaking program such as this from preliminary thought through effortless reality.” – Terry Stewart, President So, how does it work? CBK provides their customer with a file of item information and images to be loaded onto their retail site. A consumer browses the internet for an item and finds it on a CBK customer website. The CBK customer receives the order and sends it to CBK, who then processes the order for shipping to the consumer and sends a shipping confirmation back to the customer so that they can communicate the order status with the consumer. Updated information for the CBK customer to update its website can also be transmitted daily, weekly, or monthly based on their individual needs and preference. CBK guarantees to have the product out the door and on its way to the consumer within 4 business days.

For more information about CBK’s new CBKwik Ship Program, contact your local sales representative or visit CBK’s website at www.cbkhome.com.

About CBK: CBK is one of the country's leading wholesalers of quality home décor, gifts, and accessories at competitive prices. Based in Union City, TN, CBK offers wholesalers and retailers the largest selection of product styles - from the most elegant designs to the latest trends in the following divisions: Home Décor, Frames, Gifts, Lighting, Garden Decor, Licensed Product, and Seasons. More than 25,000 independent retailers throughout the United States sell the CBK brand, which consistently ranks at the top of its class in point-of-sale surveys conducted by giftware industry publications. Additional information may be found at the company's website, www.cbkhome.com. # # #

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CBK TAKES PART IN ABC’S EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION

UNION CITY, TN – May 28, 2008 – CBK, one of the country’s leading wholesalers of quality home décor, gifts, and accessories, is pleased to announce that the company’s home accessories as well as items from it’s popular Casa Cristina licensed product line, were asked to be a part of the season finale episode of ABC’s hit TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is committed to rebuilding or renovating homes of deserving families in just seven days. Each episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition features a talented design team, contractors and several hundred volunteers who work around-the-clock to rebuild an entire house including the exterior and landscaping in the seven day time span. In the season five finale, 18 builders from 12 different states gathered to make Extreme Makeover: Home Edition history by rebuilding not only a home for the Usea family, but also to rebuild Noah’s Ark Missionary Baptist Church which sustained heavy damage when Hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans, Louisiana in 2005. CBK donated several home décor items from different product categories, including its Antiquity Collection lanterns, Hacienda Collection cabinet with an iron stand, table and floor lamp set, Fleur De Lis Bookends and an ottoman. From the Casa Cristina Collection™, a starburst design mirror; cream marble top tables, filigree oval mirrors, wall décor, a 3-panel folding floor screen, octagonal mirrors, and multi-sided mirrors were included.

“There is no doubt that the work completed on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition touches peoples’ lives in such a deep and meaningful way,” said Terry Stewart, President of CBK. “It is a tremendous honor for CBK to have been asked to participate in this family’s story. We hope that others can appreciate the dedication and commitment of the Extreme Makeover:Home Edition crew as they continue to make a difference, and in many ways become heroes to those who’s lives they have touched.”

For more information about CBK, visit their virtual showroom at www.cbkhome.com or call 1-800-394-4225.

About CBK: CBK is one of the country's leading wholesalers of quality home décor, gifts, and accessories at competitive prices. Based in Union City, TN, CBK offers wholesalers and retailers the largest selection of product styles - from the most elegant designs to the latest trends in the following divisions: Home Décor, Frames, Gifts, Lighting, Garden Decor, Licensed Product, and Seasons. More than 25,000 independent retailers throughout the United States sell the CBK brand, which consistently ranks at the top of its class in point-of-sale surveys conducted by giftware industry publications. Additional information may be found at the company's website, www.cbkhome.com.

About ABC-TVs Extreme Makover: Home Edition: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is in its 5th season on ABC. The program is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Denise Cramsey is the executive producer; and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA. # # #

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CBK RECEIVES C-TPAT CERTIFICATION

UNION CITY, TN – April 15, 2008 – CBK, one of the country’s leading wholesalers of quality home décor, gifts, and accessories, has joined an elite group of businesses to receive certification from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as a Customs-Trade Partner Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). CBK is one of only 5,600 businesses in the United States to receive this certification.

C-TPAT is a voluntary government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen and improve overall international supply chain and U.S. border security. Through this initiative, CBK will ensure the integrity of its security practices and communicate and verify the security guidelines of its business partners with the supply chain. C-TPAT offers trade-related businesses an opportunity to play an active role in the war against terrorism. By participating in this first worldwide supply chain security initiative, the company will ensure a more secure and expeditious supply chain for its customers, suppliers, and employees.

“As the global economy continues to expand, the need for measures that will ensure the security of our borders does as well. CBK is proud to participate in the C-TPAT program and we are confident that our contribution will enhance our relationship with not only our manufacturers, but our own customers as well,” said Terry Stewart, President of CBK. “Experiencing quicker customs processing is a valuable benefit for everyone involved, and knowing that we are doing our part to keep our borders secure is truly the greatest reward of all.”

Rooted in its business practices, CBK is showing its commitment to both trade security and trade compliance. CBK will work closely with the CBP to ensure supply chain security and compliance with trade laws. CBK is proud to take an active role in promoting supply chain and border security. For more information about CBK, visit their virtual showroom at www.cbkhome.com or call 1-800-394-4225.

About CBK: CBK is one of the country's leading wholesalers of quality home decor products and accessories at competitive prices. Basked in Union City, Tenn., CBK offers wholesalers and retailers the largest selection of product styles - from the most elegant designs to the latest trends in the following divisions: Home Décor, Frames, Gifts, Lighting, Garden Decor, Licensed Product, and Seasons. More than 25,000 independent retailers throughout the United States sell the CBK brand, which consistently ranks at the top of its class in point-of-sale surveys conducted by giftware industry publications. Additional information may be found at the company's website, www.cbkhome.com. # # #

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