NYC's COOLEST MATCH BOOKS
A fun blog post from REFINERY 29 sharing some of the author's favorite match books from up and down Manhattan, as well as a few from the Hamptons and some other New York-related locales.
"...this is all about really unique specimens of miniature artwork you'd love to carry in your bag or keep on your mantel—whether you need a light or not. "I love simple, elegant design that feels relevant but timeless," says the author Emmett Shine. From an old-school Soviet print to a simple pair of peepers, Shine's favorite samples are all here,... along with the lowdown on what makes them so special.
...there are endlessly major match books all over the Big Apple, ....., so leave us a comment if you think we missed some badass 'books. Can't start a fire without a spark, right?"
TOM & JERRY 
COMMERCE RESTAURANT
DAVE'S GRILL
MARITIME
COFFEE SHOP BAR 
RUSCHMEYERS
TINY'S 
THE MERMAID INN
BAR LUBITSCH 
THE DUTCH
JONES
To get your business in on the ”Hot Match on Striker Action” Be sure to reach out to TheMatchGroup or call one of our expert "match makers" at 800. 605.7331.
Promote Your Restaurant with Low Cost/High Impact Advertising Matches
Promote Your Restaurant Through Branded Matches: They're the Little Things That Count
Still a Timely Article Written a Few Years Ago on the Website RestaurantOwner.com
"...consider every little branded item as a mini billboard"
Here's an excerpt from the article:
...It seems that we use every square inch of space these days -- even on our clothing -- to advertise our services. However, people notice them and are usually pleased when they learn about a good service or product.
"Ad specialties" are items such as [matches, coasters, napkins, paper to go bags], pens, hats, or T-shirts with your restaurant's name, logo and sometimes address, phone number or Web site printed on them. No matter how small your restaurant, promo specialties are within your budget.
Every restaurant can use ad specialties, but before you order 500 baseball caps with your restaurant's name and logo on them, consider the pros and cons. Make sure you spend your money in the best possible way.
Applications
Ad specialties can range from matches to active wear, breath mints with your restaurant's logo printed on the wrapper to custom etched shot and wine glasses. Regardless of the item, the goals of ad specialty items are always the same:
First, you provide a useful gift to your customer to appreciate, enjoy, and, most importantly, identify with your business. While you can find ways to use these items to win over prospective customers, these items are most effective as tools to build repeat business from existing customers.
Second, promotional items help develop and cement a relationship, in the same way people give gifts to friends to strengthen their bonds. [Distribution of these] items also increase your share of "heart and mind" in the community, as your pens, mints, toothpicks, coasters and matches find their way into your customers' kitchens, offices, and classrooms, as [functional] reminders of (hopefully) their [enjoyable experience] at their favorite restaurants.
Third, your branded items will help reinforce your logo and [should] reflect your concept. While it seems like common sense, every ad specialty should prominently bear the business's name and logo....Consider every item a little billboard.
Place your order for your restaurant's functional business cards and table top promotional paper products such as coasters, napkins, toothpicks, branded sugar stick packets, breath mints, napkin bands, pens, as well as printed paper handle bags and at the same time get in on the ”Hot Match on Striker Action” by calling one of our "match makers" at 800.605.7331!
MATCH BOOKS used by Mike Bell to Create His 3D Portraits!
Except from the Offbeat Earth blog
Gene Simmons from KISS
Artist Mike Bell has found yet another use for match books by turning them into 3-D portraits that are just flat-out cool.
A very creative use of match books!! Little works of 3D art portraits created by Mike Bell. He uses all the parts of the match book: the inside cover as his blank "canvas" and then adds parts of each of the individual match stems to create his mini 3D Masterpieces!
Check out some of his work:BATMAN
Dracula
Elton John
Jack Nicholson
Johnny Dep
Make sure your business gets in on the current”Hot Match on Striker Action” by contacting TheMatchGroup at 800.605.7331 for one of our match mavens to create your own work of art to promote your business' brand!
MATCHES Stogie Guys: Pass the Wooden Matches Please!
Great testimonial about the benefits of using wooden matches vs. lighters!
STOGIE TIP: PASS THE WOODEN MATCHES
The slower process of lighting a fine cigar using wooden matches is a key part of the relaxation that's associated with slow-paced environment in which to enjoy your favorite smoke.
"....If you light a cigar properly, it could take three to four wooden matches – and upwards of several minutes – to establish a good light."
"... Mike Copperman of Bethesda Tobacco so graciously taught me, that’s all part of the cigar-smoking process. You see, taking time to properly light a fine stogie is a ritual that shouldn’t be rushed. Before the first puff, take in the aromas as the flame dances off the tobacco. Build the anticipation. After all, the cigar hobby is meant to be enjoyed in a relaxed, slow-paced environment."
"I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen friends, acquaintances, and video bloggers butcher their cigars by flash-frying the foot. Where’s the ceremony or nostalgia in that? Besides, it’s hard to build anticipation in .02 seconds. Like I wrote before, please take time to smoke."
"...Please note that I write this not to offend or irritate, but only to prod. Maybe I’m just old fashioned, but I’m really turned off by all those fancy gadgets that have flooded the industry. Besides, why spend $470 on a torch that you’re just going to loose between the couch cushions – especially when you can pick up a pack of wooden matches for free every time you hit up a bar or restaurant?"
To get your own business' branded advertising wooden matches and to get in on the ”Hot Match on Striker Action”, call 800.605.7331 to speak with one of our "match mavens" who will guide you through the simple process at the TheMatchGroup .
LIGHT MY FIRE: THE MATCH BOOK MAKES A CULTURAL COMEBACK
FAST COMPANY article from February 4, 2011 Light My Fire: The Match Book Makes a Cultural Comeback
LIGHT MY FIRE: THE match book MAKES A CULTURAL COMEBACK.
Great feature about the resurgence of match books that are now being used by the entertainment and retailing industries to promote their bands and their brands!
AS THE SMOKE CLEARS FROM BARS AND RESTAURANTS, MATCHBOOKS FIND NEW INDUSTRIES -- FROM FASHION TO MUSIC -- TO CALL HOME.
Juicy Couture has had original designs created to sell in stores, and music venues. Many Indie, Hip Hop and Rock Bands have started handing matchbooks out at gigs out in place of pricey T-shirts.
"Fire speaks so instantly to life," says Yael Alkalay, founder of Red Flower, a New York bath-and-body company. After suffering a stroke more than a decade ago at age 26, Alkalay recovered and started the company with a newfound appreciation for the everyday. Aside from coupling matches with the purchase of candles, Red Flower hands out 50,000 matchbooks to customers each year as mementos of the store. "Matches have a certain charm," she says. "If you've got them, you've got light, you've got warmth."
To place your order to put a light on your business or band get in touch with TheMatchGroup or call one of our expert match makers at 800.605.7331 and get in on the ”Hot Match on Striker Action” that's happening right now!