DEPARTMENT 56 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSHow did Department 56 get started?What different Department 56 Villages do you offer? What different Department 56 Accessories do you offer? Do you carry Department 56 Krinkles? Do you carry Department 56 Hot Properties? Do you have a D56 Frequent Buyer's Program? Do you have an alpahbetical listing of all Department 56 Villages? DEPARTMENT 56 HISTORYSome twenty-five years ago, Department 56 began as part of Bachman's, a premiere retail florist in Minneapolis. Bachman's used a numbering system to identify each of its departments. The number assigned to wholesale gift imports division was, you guessed it, 56.Now headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Department 56 has become a leader in the giftware, collectibles and holiday decorating industry and is best known for hand-crafted lighted villages, Snowbabies™ figurines and extensive lines of holiday and home decorative products. 1976 The foundation of Department 56 took shape with the introduction of six charming, lighted, ceramic buildings. These six premiere items were the beginnings of the Department 56 Original Snow Village®. 1979 The original Department 56 Original Snow Village designs were retired in order to accommodate 12 new introductions as well as the appearance of the first Department 56 Village accessories. 1984 The concept of The Heritage Village Collection® was developed. The first release was the Department 56 Dickens Village Series®, a collection of seven nostalgic shops and a church. All designed to capture the spirit of Christmas in Victorian England. 1987 The Heritage Village collection continued to grow with the addition of the hustle and bustle of Department 56 Christmas in the City® and the inspiring Little Town of Bethlehem™. 1990 The legend of Santa became a part of the Department 56 tradition with the addition of The North Pole Series to The Heritage Village Collection. 1991 On June 25, Department 56 opened their new corporate headquarters at One Village Place in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. 1992 Department 56 is bought by the New York investment firm, Forstmann Little. 1993 In June of this year, Department 56 completed an initial offering and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "DFS". 1994 This year brought the introduction of the Department 56 Disney Parks Village Series™ and Snowbunnies®. 1995 The first successful marketing program for Department 56, "Homes for the Holidays", encouraged new collectors to start a tradition for themselves. 1997 The 10th anniversary of Department 56 Snowbabies was celebrated with the creation of the Snowbabies Freindship Club™. The Classic Ornament Series was also introduced, giving collectors a new way to enjoy classic pieces long since retired. 1998 The first year-round village, Seasons Bay™, makes a splash onto the marketplace, representing a late 19th-century American resort town. Elf Land™, an extension of the Department 56 North Pole Series™, was also introduced as a suburb where the elves lived and played after the holidays. 1999 In May, the first-ever Department 56 corporate retail store opened in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, a move that enhanced both brand and product profile. And for the first time, Department 56 introduced pieces that included exquisite interior detail. 2000 Another big year for expansion. In October, Department 56 opened a second retail store in the new Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. 2001 This year, Department 56 and The Original Snow Village® Collection both turned 25. Department 56 is a major force in the giftware and collectible industry. As the company looks to the future, Department 56 plans to actively explore new avenues for growth. Rest assured, Department 56 artists are constantly busy coming up with new and unique ways to pique your interest. And touch the collector's heart in everyone. The Department 56, Inc. trademark is used with permission from Department 56, Inc. of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. This Internet site shows copyrighted products of Department 56, Inc. Our web site is not affiliated with Department 56, Inc. Back to the Top DEPARTMENT 56 VILLAGESWe carry the following Department 56 Villages: Snow Village Series®, Dickens Village Series®, Christmas in the City Series®, North Pole Series™, New England Village Series®, and the Halloween Series.Back to the Top DEPARTMENT 56 ACCESSORIESWe carry the following Department 56 Accessories: Snow Village Series®, Dickens Village Series®, Christmas in the City Series®, North Pole Series™, Halloween Series and General Accessories.Back to the Top DEPARTMENT 56 KRINKLESYes! We do carry the Department 56 Krinkles collection.Back to the Top DEPARTMENT 56 HOT PROPERTIESYes! We do carry Department 56 Hot Properties collection.Back to the Top |
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