Goldsmiths doesn't necessarily turn raw materials into gleaming baubles, but it does deal with the goldsmith's end result: jewelry. The firm, which was founded in 1778 and is the UK's #2 jewelry chain (behind Signet Jewelers' H Samuel) operates about 160 stores. Keeping up with the times, Goldsmiths also sells jewelry online. The chain was the country's first authorized Rolex merchant, and remains a top dealer of Rolex, Omega, Tag Heuer, and other watch brands. Goldsmiths is 70% owned owned by Aurum Holdings, which also owns the Mappin & Webb chain of jewelry shops. Goldsmiths' previous owner, Iceland's Baugur Group, acquired Goldsmiths in 2004 and later bought Mappin & Webb to form Aurum Holdings.

Hudson Group operates some 600 newsstands, bookstores, cafes, and specialty shops in about 70 airports and other transportation terminals throughout North America. The group's flagship Hudson News format is North America's only national newsstand brand. The shops offer travelers books, magazines, apparel, souvenirs, snacks, and beverages for their journey. Other formats include Hudson Booksellers, Kids Works, and Euro Cafe. Private equity firm Advent International acquired Hudson Group in 2007 and in 2008 merged it with Swiss travel retailer Dufry AG.

Osborne Stationers was founded in 1832 as E. C. & W. Osborne. The Osborne family sold Osborne Stationers Ltd in 1914. This version of the Osbornes strives for success with its stationery, not success at this station, and it doesn't need to revisit any bat-oriented events in the process. Osborne Stationers (known as Osborne Office Stationers) operates about 20 stationery and office supply stores throughout the UK. Osborne Stationers Ltd also stocks a variety of arts and crafts supplies and provides printing and copying services, as well as arts and crafts instruction.

Lipsey's fancies itself a bit of a hot shot. The company distributes firearms to federally licensed dealers nationwide. It sells regular, lefty, and youth models of shotguns, handguns, rifles, and revolvers by manufacturers that include Beretta, Browning, Glock, North American Arms, Ruger, and Winchester. Lipsey's also carries ammunition, scopes, binoculars, holsters, and other accessories. The company also sells guns made exclusively for the company. Lipsey's was founded in 1953 as S & S Wholesale Sporting Goods and was purchased by the Lipsey family, including chairman and CEO Richard Lipsey, in 1977.

Holt's Cigar Company gets stoked about stogies. The company sells more than 170 brands of premium cigars, including its Ashton and Holt's brands, and related smoking accessories (cases, humidors, lighters, ashtrays). Almost half of its sales are from wholesale distribution through a direct sales force. It also sells cigars through a catalog, its Web site, a pair of stores in Philadelphia, and a club in Philly's Wachovia Complex arena. Dominican Republic-based Fuente Cigar supplies two-thirds of the company's smokes. HCH Acquisition, controlled by Holt's Cigar CEO Robert Levin and the Fuente family, took the company private in December 2000.

Teleflora was founded in 1934. Teleflora's business is blooming, with the help of some of its best buds. Teleflora, a subsidiary of Roll International, supplies fresh flowers, plants, and gift items to consumers worldwide through its websites and toll-free number. The floral firm taps into a network of about 18,000 florists across the US and Canada, as well as another 20,000 affiliated florists outside North America. It offers fresh flowers for any occasion, as well as plants, corporate gifts, and fruit and goody baskets, some available same day, at prices ranging from $29.99 to about $200. Its partner marketing program provides commissions and discounts for affiliates, corporate giving, and rewards programs.

Hong Kong-based Chow Sang Sang has its eye on China and the growing luxury market there. The company operates about 155 Chow Sang Sang jewelery stores in some 60 cities across mainland China, with another 50-plus stores in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The fast-growing jeweler aims to open another 50 shops in the near future. The company makes and sells necklaces, bracelets, watches, diamonds, and other shiny luxuries and trendy baubles. Chow Sang Sang has production facilities in China and in Hong Kong. It also wholesales precious metals (gold, platinum, and palladium) and brokers stocks and commodities. Chairman Kwen Lim Chow and general manager Wing Shing Chow together own about a third of the company.

Founded in 1978, Sierra Office Solutions is an authorized Xerox sales agent and an approved vender for the federal government. While the Sierra Club wants you to save a tree, Sierra Office Solutions (formerly Sierra Office Supply) wants you to buy one. The office products and furniture firm supplies businesses and home offices in Eastern Kern, Inyo, and Mono counties in California, and Nye and Esmeralda counties in Nevada, with the necessities of running a business. Products include office supplies, computer and printer supplies, furniture, janitorial and break room items, Xerox copiers and other business machines, business cards, custom stamps, and signs. It offers an online product catalog and free delivery.

Travel by foot doesn't have to be the only option available for people familiar with Caffyns. The family-run company sells automobiles at more than 30 locations scattered around the UK. Models sold at Caffyns' individually specialized dealerships include those made by Audi, Daewoo, Daimler AG, Ford, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, Peugeot, SEAT, Skoda, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, and Volvo. Caffyns sells both new and used autos; it also offers its own in-house maintenance and service and automotive parts distribution service. Caffyns was founded in 1865.

Florida Transportation Systems makes sure the wheels on the bus go round and round. The company sells and services Blue Bird school buses and other commercial buses, such as transit and shuttle buses made by Thor Industries, ADA-accessible paratransit vans made by The Braun Corporation, and minibuses made by Girardin. Customers include Florida school districts, transit agencies, and local governments in the Sunshine State. Florida Transportation Systems was founded in 1982.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.