Monthly Archive for March, 2010

Nerds at Work

Disclosure: some of us at Hayneedle are giant nerds. But here’s the thing, we wear the distinction as a badge of honor. You could even say that we revel in our nerddom.

We nerd out about a lot of things: grills, telescopes, green living products… everything we sell, really. Behind every one of our specialty stores is a wonky team of experts who make it their job to know everything there is to know about the products we offer.

Picture that for a second. We’re not a huge team of baby crib experts. We’re an amalgam of aquarium geeks, model plane enthusiasts, radar detector whizzes, and then some. And since we’re an Internet company, you’d better believe we have some computer nerds here, too. But we’re all living here in relative harmony, in the world of variety that our sites promise.

So what if we’re a little outside the norm? Of course there is another word for all this geekiness. It’s “passion.” It’s about finding something you love and immersing yourself in it. Nerdy or not, we think that’s pretty cool. And we like to think that when you take a look at our sweeping variety of stores, you’ll inevitably find something you think is pretty cool, too.

Photo by Clark J., Hayneedle employee and StarParty member

It’s Here

Despite the disorienting weather patterns of late, some folks in the know are insisting that spring is finally here.  After the winter we’ve had, could you blame anyone for falling for such a huckster’s promise?

But here’s the thing: the calendars around our office are suggesting that the rumors are true.

A little Internetting adds final proof: spring is scheduled to spring on March 20, 2010, at precisely 1:32 P.M. EDT (though perhaps in many places without its usual torque). That’s tomorrow, folks!

With no fear of stating the obvious, we love spring. Colors come forth, and the world resumes its beckoning inhabitability. There’s no better time to emerge from our four-walled winter fortresses and spend a little time in the room with the highest ceilings.

Yep, we’re talking about your deck or patio. Remember that little slice of outdoor paradise?

It’s time to take it back.

With specialty stores like PatioFurnitureUSA.com, Hammocks.com, PatioUmbrellas.com, and dozens of other outdoor living specialty sites, Hayneedle is the world’s premier seller of patio furniture and outdoor decor products.

Everything you need to furnish your ultimate room with a view is at Hayneedle.com. Come see what we have in store, and get ready to get out more. Spring is in the air!

Hear It? Carpe Diem …

Similar to the movie Dead Poet’s Society, which upheld the same theme, our Seize the Day Sale has been a hit. We started at 20% off for one day, then each day the percent goes down a point, so it behooves you to be – and shop – in the NOW. Our top sites are participating, and it’s been a lot of fun.

You can save on your order from hammocks.com, patiofurnitureusa.com, porchswings.com, benches.com, Adirondackchairs.com, esoccergoals.com, croquet.com, patioheaterstore.com, and more. There aren’t many days left for the Seize the Day Sale, so get all Eckhart Tolle and use the power of now, yo. After all, yesterday’s history, tomorrow’s a mystery, you’ve only got today. So carpe diem, and you’ll carpe dime! Ok, ok, enough. You get it. Go on with your present self.

Happy to Help – Hayneedle Makes Impactful Donation to D.A.P.

Our commitment to service goes beyond providing exceptional care to our customers. That’s why Hayneedle recently donated $300,000 worth of merchandise to the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Silent Auction and to the Desert AIDS Project’s (D.A.P.) consignment shops, Revivals. Proceeds from the auction went to the D.A.P., which provides medical care and comprehensive services to people living with HIV/AIDS.

The star-studded awards gala, hosted by Richard Chamberlain and Stephanie Powers, was held on Feb. 27 in Palm Springs, California. It was a celebratory evening that recognized noteworthy activists for lifetime contributions and for outstanding humanitarian work over the past year. 2010 marked the 16th annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards, which works to further D.A.P.’s humanitarian cause of fighting HIV/AIDS through direct services and advocacy, while also working to prevent new infections through education and outreach.

While we at Hayneedle are honored to contribute to a cause dedicated to making lives longer and healthier for those suffering from HIV/AIDS, we’re also excited at this special opportunity to add a little spice to those lives with our brand of true variety.

Waiting for a Sign of Spring

hayneedle custom patio sets

While temperatures across most of the continent have settled stubbornly below normal, one undeniable sign of spring shines through. The light at the end of this icy tunnel is daylight itself, and we’re getting more of it by the day. And though it’s still plenty cold out there, we’ll gladly take an accumulation of sunshine over snowfall every day from here till the next solstice.

Winter will recede. The gray landscape will grow green and pop with color. After one of the coldest, snowiest winters on record, it’s fixing to be one epic spring. And since spring really is just a few weeks away, it’s time to start thinking outside those four confining walls.

Your deck or patio may look pretty uninviting at the moment, but we’ve got a simple three-step plan to help you reclaim it:

1. Reserve your seats.

Finding the patio furniture you’d like to sink into won’t be difficult at Hayneedle. With exclusive patio sets, custom fabrics and finishes, and new collections for 2010 already available, now’s the time to order so you don’t miss a day of spring.

2. Keep ‘em warm.

Get out earlier and stay out longer with patio heaters, fire pits, chimineas, and more. Adding heat to your deck or patio is a surefire way to extend the outdoor season.

3. Make it yours.

Choose from an endless variety of outdoor decor and accessories to make the outdoors yours. From planters to wind chimes and bird baths to outdoor rugs, you’ll find everything you need to put a personal touch on your little slice of paradise.