Latest news with #Schnell
Axios
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
What it takes to find Labubu dolls in New Orleans
Labubu — a mischievous little monster with fangs — is America's must-have toy, and it's causing fans of all ages to line up and resale prices to soar. Why it matters: Finding a Labubu, a spicy-eared collectible from China, isn't easy, especially for fans in New Orleans who are hours away from the nearest verified retailer. The big picture: Millennials and Gen Z adults — aka " kidults" — are all in on a collectibles craze, and it's reshaping the U.S. toy market. Labubus are among them, sold for between $8.99 and $27.99 in "blind boxes," which means buyers don't know which figure they'll get. It fuels a thrill-of-the-hunt resale culture. Plus, each series includes rare "secret" editions, some of which resell for thousands of dollars. Labubu is an elf-like character created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. After gaining a following through a 2019 collaboration with Chinese toy giant Pop Mart, its popularity has exploded with Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and David Beckham among celebs displaying the dolls on their bags. State of play: But they're not so easy to get your hands on. Labubu's official retailer, Pop Mart, routinely sells out of its online inventory, and the South's only locations are in Texas, Tennessee and Florida. Zoom in: Still, Kammie Schnell, a fashion blogger and artist in New Orleans, is among Labubu's fans after a friend snagged one from a stranger on Facebook Marketplace. "It looks so cute hanging off [his] bag like a little gremlin, so it started growing on me," Schnell laughs. Soon, she bought one from the same local seller, who became a friend to Schnell, too, as they bonded over a shared Vietnamese culture. What they're saying: "Labubu is kind of bringing people together," Schnell says. "It's so wholesome." "This is definitely reminding me of Beanie Babies and Furbys and I love Furbys." The intrigue: Now, Schnell has seven in her growing Labubu collection, and she worked with friends to create LabubuCon NOLA, a gathering of Labubu fans last week that shocked Schnell in its popularity. "We had a line out of the door trying to get in," she says. "We had to do crowd control because of overcrowding. It rained that day, so people were waiting in the rain." Reselling for a friend who couldn't attend, Schnell says, she sold out of about 65 Labubu dolls, priced between $55 and $65, in less than an hour. Even another seller's knock-off "Lafufu" dolls were popular, she says. What's next: The LabubuCon team is hosting another edition, likely in October, Schnell says.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Developers propose affordable housing complex on Appleway Drive in Kalispell
Jun. 5—Kalispell may see a new workforce housing complex located alongside the Parkline Trail and within walking distance of downtown. Mach LLC, an affordable housing developer, is proposing a 24-unit apartment complex off Appleway Drive just south of U.S. 2. Known as the Outpost at Kalispell, the development will boast a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments geared toward households making from 50% to 60% of the area median income, which is roughly $102,000, according to government-sponsored enterprise Fannie Mae. The apartments — one-bedroom units will encompass 714 square feet while two-bedroom units will come in at 954 square feet — will be rented at roughly 30% below the average market rate. "Really hitting the workforce income level," said Matt Belles of Mach. Three of the units will be set aside for veterans, victims of domestic violence or young people aging out of foster care, according to Mach. The apartments will be fitted with electric kitchen appliances, in-unit washer and dryers, and a balcony or patio. But before the development can come to fruition, Mach is asking for $8.5 million from the 2026 Montana Housing Tax Credit program, overseen by the Montana Board of Housing to support the construction or preservation of affordable homes. The awarding of the tax credits will be announced in October, according to Mach's Grant Schnell. The entire project is estimated at around $8.7 million. While the program is competitive, Schnell is optimistic. Mach is the only applicant in Flathead County. Other developments are proposed in Anaconda, Missoula and Billings. Mach and co-developer TE Miller are both behind previous developments in Kalispell but have never built affordable housing in the city. "Basically, our focus is on affordable housing in the state of Montana as well as the Mountain West," Schnell said. The Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana is partnering with the developers on the project. The nonprofit connects individuals with community programs like heating and rental assistance. Partnering with a nonprofit ensures that rents remain affordable, and Director of Project Development Cassidy Kipp said that Community Action Partnership will engage residents with services it provides that promote self-sustainability. "We will do everything in our power to support responsible growth of affordable housing," she said. Kalispell is a tough place to develop in because of high construction and land costs, but workforce housing is a necessity in the Flathead Valley, Schnell said. He plans to go through the city approval process after the funds are awarded. "We want to be good stewards of the community and know we're going to need to be good neighbors as well," Belles said. Reporter Jack Underhill may be reached at 758-4407 and junderhill@
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local tax expert: Invest, contact trade groups ahead of 2026 changes to federal tax code
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A new tax code is likely to come with the election of President Trump, and there are a few directions Congress and the president could go. According to the Tax Foundation, a non-partisan non-profit that focuses on tax codes, President Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is set to sunset at the end of the year. The Tax Foundation says that the president is mulling bringing back the 2017 code, including these changes: Bringing back the deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) Reducing the corporate tax rate for domestic production Exempting various types of income from the income tax Repealing green energy tax credits Imposing steep new tariffs Any taxes to the tax code would have to be made through the Senate and the House. Jim Schnell — a tax partner with MMB+CO — says that generally speaking, should the 2017 rules come back, wealthy people and big business stand to benefit. He says the situation is fluid, and the best thing to do is discuss any changes you need to make at an individual or business level with a tax pro. Businesses should already be contacting their trade groups, partner businesses and organizations, and calling their elected officials. 'Look at your total budgets, be prepared to implement these changes, because the smaller the business statistically, the more dramatic the impact of the changes are going to be per capita,' Schnell continued. 'Get ready to work with your clients, whether you have 20, 200, or 20,000 to be ready to communicate what this means.' Schnell says that for individuals, prioritizing investment in a 401k, or a Roth IRA, are a good way to brace for any tax code changes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
