Most shoppers in the US never thought they’d experience empty store shelves. My brother-in-law recently said, “It feels like war time”, referring to our grandparents’ stories of shortages during WW II. It seems that every industry has been affected. If you’re wondering what 2022 might bring, this video from TODAY gives a brief overview.
If you’re curious about the cause of these shortages, this article from The Atlantic gives a great explanation of the “veritable hydra of bottlenecks” that have resulted in delays, empty shelves, and rising costs.
On a recent episode of Fresh Air on NPR, Wall Street Journal columnist Christopher Mims explains how normally-efficient overseas shipping systems became overwhelmed during the pandemic. Spoiler alert…according to the author, “I think that the supply chain problems we’re having now, which are at the root of current inflation, are going to persist for a long time. And part of that is because we just have more demand for goods and that seems to be persistent.”
It doesn’t seem that purchasing will return to normal anytime soon. At least understanding the cause of the problem helps us keep perspective and – maybe – gain patience.
If there is a product in the printing industry that you can’t find, please let us know. We’ll do our best to contact multiple suppliers or develop a creative solution for you!
Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a happy New Year!
To give our employees extra holiday time with their families, we will have limited hours between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Enfield Hours
Dec 23rd
closing at 2 pm
Dec 24th
closed
Dec 30th
closing at 2 pm
Dec 31st
closed
Springfield Hours
Dec 23rd
closing at 2 pm
Dec 24th
closed
Dec 27th – Dec 31st
closed – calls handled by the Enfield shop
Brattleboro Hours
Dec 23rd
closing at 1 pm
Dec 24th
closed
Dec 27th – Dec 31st
closed – calls handled by the Enfield shop
When the Springfield and Brattleboro shops are closed, calls are forwarded to our Enfield shop. During regular business hours, Enfield staff will be happy to assist with Springfield and Brattleboro orders, quotes, and questions.
Those chilly mornings remind us that it’s time for backyard ice rinks! In our family, Thanksgiving weekend is the time that we secure the boards into the ground. Then when a hard freeze arrives, we’re ready to roll with the liner and water. That backyard rink is a labor of love, but it also brings us countless hours of outdoor fun.
If you have a backyard rink, we can print vinyl graphics to customize your ice! We can print team logos, family initials, or fun graphics. Installation is easy once your ice has frozen. We apply the graphics over the ice and then add a coat of ice to hold them in place. If your rink is in total shade, the graphics won’t create solar melt (soft spots) when the sun heats them. If your rink is in sun or partial shade, we can apply a layer of Solar Ice over the graphics to keep the surrounding ice cool and prevent solar melt.
We can also create and install graphics for larger indoor arenas. We can add the logos for recreational and school teams for special events or for the full season.
If hockey is part of your world and you want to customize your ice, reach out and we’ll work with you to create a fun and personalized project.
…and because of nationwide shortages and delays, the time to order branded winter apparel is now.
Ordering now means you’ll have more color and style options. Fleece items are going fast!
Port Authority Cardigan
Port Authority Sweater Fleece
Port Authority Spectator Gloves, Hat, and Scarf
CornerStone Winter Safety Wear
Our branded winter clothing and outerwear will keep you warm whether you’re on a job site or in the office. We carry sweaters, fleece vests and jackets, raincoats, scarves and hats, work wear, and safety wear. You can browse our online catalog or reach out to us and we’ll help you find the right style for your needs. We’re here to help!
Because of nationwide employee shortages and material delays, THIS is the time to think about holiday gifting.
Waiting until the beginning of the holiday season will likely mean back-ordered items and delayed shipping. If you order now, you’ll have a wider availability of products and colors.
We can add your name and logo to products ranging from lip balm to umbrellas…even snacks and chocolates!
Some of our favorites this year are sustainable products and cozy items for the winter ahead.
Port Authority Flannel Sherpa blankets – available in 4 colors, 50″ x 60″
Hot chocolate on a spoon – includes custom mug
North Face Mountain Beanie with cozy fleece lining – 100% recycled materials
We can help you find the right products for employees and customers alike. If you’re stuck finding the perfect gift for hard-to-shop-for family members, we can help with that too! Our in-person customer service staff is here to help, or you can browse our online catalogs for promotional products and apparel.
