Expecting New Milestones: The Beachcombers International Inc.

Industry vendor news
Expecting New Milestones:
The Beachcombers International Inc.
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his year marked The Beachcombers’ 69th
year in business. Begun by Harry Chernin
with his father, this coastal gift and souvenir
company is all about relationships, with family members, co-workers and perhaps most importantly of all,
with its customers. The tradition that Harry Chernin
started and his family has cherished is poised to continue for the future with the sale of The Beachcombers
to Bryan Howell’s KBHowell Enterprises, LLC.
According to Harry Chernin, the business began
as a small, hands-on operation in 1946. Chernin’s father, Benjamin Chernin, had recently retired due to
health reasons, and Harry Chernin came home from
the University of Florida to help his father with the
business. “My father bought a small sea shell business
named Beachcombers Novelty Company. The business
started with orange crates holding the files,” Chernin
recalled in a recent interview. In short order Benjamin Chernin’s nephew Dewy joined the business, followed by Harry’s brother, Chick. “We worked very
hard. From cleaning the shells to driving the trucks,
we did it all. One week we would embark on a sales
trip up the east or west coast of Florida taking orders
from the customers, and the next week we were delivering the orders.” Chernin began traveling further
abroad to find less common shells and novelty items
to add to their extensive inventory of shells, jewelry,
shell handicrafts and craft supplies. As the business
continued to grow, gifts were added to the line of merchandise that Beachcombers carried.
The business thrived. “In 1970, the business had
grown so large with a very diverse product mix, so the
shell and findings portion of the business was sold, and
we became The Beachcombers International Inc.,”
Chernin said. “The family members participating in
Beachcombers grew with the addition of the next generation; Chick’s son and daughter, Mark and Annette,
my three daughters, Leslie, Nancy and Betsy.” Chick
Chernin’s wife Helen and son-in-law, John, as well as
Harry Chernin’s wife Mary Charles and son-in-law
Joe, also contributed to the business.
According to Chernin’s daughter, Leslie Chernin
Morreale, family pride in the business was, and remains strong. “We’ve flourished and become one of the
New The Beachcombers International Chief Executive
Officer/President Bryan Howell with his wife Kori and children, from left to right, Truman, Briana, Salem and Aspen.
leaders in the gift and souvenir industry.” To keep up
with current trends, her sister, company Buyer Betsy
Chernin Vereb, stays on top of upcoming patterns and
trends, Morreale said. Vereb studies the marketplace
in everything from fashion to home décor to design
and purchase new and innovative products.
Chernin asserted, “We’re a leader in our product
mix. Our salespeople, staff and management all keep
us abreast of changing business models.” But along
with staying current, Chernin noted, “We never forget
our primary focus on our customers. It’s that partnership with our customers along with our products, that
continue to move us to the forefront of our industry.”
Chernin’s hope for the future is to see The Beachcombers grow and continue to be a valued partner with
its customers. He reflects on the company’s history and
looks forward to its transition under the stewardship
of KBHowell Enterprises. “We have had a wonderful
Continued on page 32
Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties | October 2015 | www.sgnmag.com
Industry vendor news
thankful for all the relationships I have had, and for
the best career possible. I have loved the souvenir and
gift world and the people in it, and appreciate all of
the relationships that have made it so.”
Bryan Howell, chief executive officer and president
of KBHowell Enterprises LLC appreciates those relationships too. “I have always believed wholeheartedly
in the saying ‘take care of your people, and they will
take care of you.’ So the first things I
see when looking into the future, is
“We worked very hard. From cleaning the shells to Beachcombers continuing to be one
driving the trucks, we did it all. One week we would
of the greatest companies to work
for in the gift and souvenir industry.
embark on a sales trip up the east or west coast of
When you work for Beachcombers,
Florida taking orders from the customers, and the
you will invariably feel well cared
next week we were delivering the orders.”
for – respected and rewarded.” And
- Harry Chernin
for Howell that caring extends to
customers as well. “A direct result of
having a world class work force is world class customer
and friends that have made my 69 years so wonderful,
service. Again, when you take care of your customers,
but I trust that Beachcombers is in good hands. I can’t
they will take care of you.”
wait to see the bright new future. I want to thank
Continued on page 34
all of my friends in the industry, my customers, I’m
Expecting New Milestones (From page 30)
history and relationship with many of our customers,
some going back over 50 years. It will be an exciting
future for Beachcombers, and I’m happy that my family will continue to be a part of that growth while I will
be able to watch and see the great new developments.”
Chernin said he’ll “miss seeing many of our customers
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Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties | October 2015 | www.sgnmag.com
Industry vendor news
long term relationships with customers that need to be
handled carefully and thoughtfully. I’ve been preparing
for an opportunity like this for my entire life.”
Why now? Howell explained, “As an entrepreneur,
I saw something in this company, in this industry, that
is lasting. The industry itself intrigued me, and being
able to provide products for people, helping retailers to
find their market needs, fascinated me. It’s been only a
month, but I can see that Harry’s daughters have done
a tremendous job of giving this line a life
of its own. We don’t have what every other
“As an entrepreneur, I saw something in this gift and souvenir company has. The product
company, in this industry, that is lasting. The line has a uniqueness to it.” In short, Howell
industry itself intrigued me, and being able to said, “The role of The Beachcombers in the
provide products for people, helping retailers industry as a whole will be to continue our
to find their market needs, fascinated me. It’s historic traditions while becoming a market
been only a month, but I can see that Harry’s leader in our genre. We’re going to brand it
further. I can see us getting into some more
daughters have done a tremendous job of giv- inland-oriented goods while remaining priing this line a life of its own. We don’t have marily coastal; home accents may be one area
what every other gift and souvenir company we will explore.”
Howell’s strong business background has
has. The product line has a uniqueness to it.”
taken
him from the health and fitness indus– Bryan Howell
try to the banking and mortgage industry,
and now to The Beachcombers. “KBHowell
Howell is well aware that customers are concerned was created specifically for The Beachcombers. I have
products will change or small customers will be forgot- a broad understanding about both the wholesale and
ten in the transition, but he wants to reassure them. retail side of the industry, and the relationship between
“We are never going to forget the people who got us them. The bottom line is, you serve people, think of
here. We will always be looking for ways to add value other people first, and good things happen for you.”
With Howell newly installed at the helm, Harry
for the customers, and maintain the competitive prices
they have always enjoyed. It’s my intention to improve Chernin’s 69 year undertaking looks firmly on track to
efficiency, but we will not raise prices,” he said. “This is continue its reputation offering unique gifts and famia family company, its customers are like family. If there’s ly-strong relationships.
one thing that really shows the company’s roots, it’s the
Expecting New Milestones (From page 32)
Howell says the 69-year-old roots of the company
will not change and are a “great foundation to build
on. We’re going to keep that foundation and enhance
it through state-of-the-art warehouse management systems, faster shipping for our customers, quality control
and greater inventory to meet the demands of our customers. Our goal is to simply make our overall customer experience even better.”
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A Rememberance

The Industry Loses Michael Guarino
Michael Guarino passed away peacefully on August 2, 2015. A graduate of the Rhode Island
School of Design, he actively worked as a designer, model maker and was the owner of Contract
Specialties of Providence, a family operated business for more than 45 years. He was also a
United States Navy veteran and a member of the BPO Elks of USA for over 60 years.
Guarino was the beloved husband of Evelyn A. (Tedeschi) for 59 years and the eldest son of the
late Mariano and Inez (Iannotti) Guarino. He was the father of two daughters, and also had three
grandchildren, two great grandchildren, two brothers and several nieces and nephews.
An exceptional pianist, he touched the lives of many with his story telling, laughter, thoughtfulness and love of music. He truly lived for his family and gathered many dear friends over the years.
Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties | October 2015 | www.sgnmag.com