Know-How Exchange : Taglines/Names

I'm sorry for the delay responding but was out of town and stayed longer than I expected. Thank you, everyone, for the suggestions. First, my art and other items are priced below retail because I buy most at auction and buy at very good prices. Plus my overhead is much lower than a gallery, and I make very little profit. Right now I just want to get rid of things. If I don't keep my prces low, I'll never be able to compete with the large galleries, jewelers, etc.

As for the name, I don't care for the word "junk" for my particular merchandise no matter how it's spelled. MGoodman is close but cookies and jellybeans are not practical since I have nowhere to set them, no countertop and no room. My space is only 10'x5'. Much of my business will be on line. Selling art in an antique mall is a bit different. I'm not sure how well it will do. I'm hoping it will be a good fit and I can expand next year. But I think to be successful, I'll have to think out of the box!

I do know my target audience. For the shop, it's tourists and snowbirds in season, locals interested in antiques, art and jewelry, and decorators. I especially hope to advertise to the decorators who come in now and buy art and to other decorators so I can expand that market. The mall is not yet one year old but is the largest in South FL and well situated.

Maybe I can call it something you don't eat like Fine Art and Moonstones or Fine Art and Teddy Bears. I'll be selling some pretty pricey new and old teddy bears. Or something simple like Fine Art and Favorite Things? Art and Favorite Finds?

It's 5 AM and I'm getting crazy. I need to leave it to you experts. What do you think now? I really appreciate your input about this and value your opinion! By the way, is MGoodman the super-talented and adorable South Floridian Michael Goodman that I had the privelege of working with at Broward House once upon a time?

Hi Ryan,
I must say, your response comes closest to describing what I offer. Now I'm beginning to think I may have limited you all by askng for a name to begin "Fine Art and ........" Perhaps if I had just described the merchandise, customers, and told you I would be using the name to sell in the shop and on line, you would have come up with something more original. I suppose there's no reason the name tell what I sell. That could follow after the name, kind of like a tag line might.

I've tried to list the words that I most associate with my business. They are of course, fine art and rare, one-of-a-kind or unique merchandise. There're many adjectives/nouns that mean similar. Then I think of names like Off the Beaten Path, Fish Out of Water, A Different Drummer, A Better Mouse Trap -- all common names of other gift shops I'm sure. But what about Square Peg In a Round Hole or just Square Peg. Or Something to Bray About and have a donkey as a logo. Or Sit up and Take Notice or, my favorite, Rare Bird and have a caricature of a "rare" bird as the logo--- long colorful plumbs comming out of its head.

So what do you think? Any ideas? Thanks for your help. I'd love your input on this idea. I'd love anyones' input on the idea. Thanks again, Maryann

Thank you everyone. I am naming my business:

RARE BIRD ... Fine Art and Other Treasures

Thanks, Ryan Rutan, for contributing to the name.

Maryann