The Veggie Art Girl Boutique is now open in Holderness, offering creative designs, unique finds and earth-friendly art and gifts.

From the Smoky Mountains to Squam Lake, freelance artist Stacey Lucas has done some traveling and has returned to her hometown to open her own consignment art shop, which will hold an open house on Saturday, July 11, from noon to 6 p.m. Featuring free live music, face painting, door prizes, demos and refreshments, she wants to welcome the community to her unique shop. Read more...

Throngs of tourists and a neighborhood building spree have helped turn things around at Arizona Center, a 19-year-old outdoor mall that was a pioneering downtown Phoenix redevelopment project.

There are questions about the mall's future. Read more...

Walking through Lauren Smith and Derek Fagerstrom's Mission District apartment, it's hard not to get inspired to make something.

With ingenuity to spare, the couple have filled their 500-square-foot rental with one-of-a-kind furnishings and accessories. Their do-it-yourself projects, many of which have been published online or in print, can be found in every room. Read more...

Amid a challenging economic climate, a Hinsdale business organization has a challenge for shoppers: spend $50 a month at small businesses in the village.

The concept, being adopted by other municipal and business leaders across the country as well, seeks to buoy the local economy and prevent more mom-and-pop-style shops from closing. Customers are asked to pick three independently owned businesses that they cannot live without and shop there regularly. They also are challenged to spend at least $50 at one of the businesses each month. Read more...

The Glendale Office of Tourism is launching Shop Glendale 2009-2010. The marketing program is aimed at engaging businesses within the community and encouraging residents and visitors to patronize local shops, so tax dollars remain in the community.

Shop Glendale offers businesses a chance for exposure with a discounts to shoppers through discount cards, said Jennifer Stein, city spokeswoman. Read more...

The Becker County Museum Gift Shop is featuring items made right here in Becker County. In addition to its Detroit Lakes, Becker County and Minnesota-themed gifts, the gift shop has locally made items from Candles by Jess, Wood You Tell Me, Nature’s Embrace and Lake Hailey Embroidery; all companies from Becker County. Read more...

Shirley Knight is on a mission – and she has already been partially successful.

The Dover woman, who has already mounted a successful initiative to have the Kentucky State parks sell locally-produced products rather than things made in China, is on a campaign to get the Tennessee State Parks to sell locally produced arts, crafts, photos, etc. Read more...

Bradley Hilton is looking for bargains.

As buyer for San Francisco-based Gump's, Hilton is in Dallas looking for lower-priced versions of pillows and throws than ones traditionally featured in the Christmas catalog.

He is among the thousands of retailer buyers putting the final wrap on holiday 2009 at Dallas Market Center's home and gift market ending today. Read more...

Creosote bush, the fragrant, yellow-blossoming bush that covers Valley mountainsides, is a key ingredient in a new line of spa products developed by the Gila River Indian Community.

Known to members of community by its Pima name, shegoi, creosote has traditionally been used in herbal teas, healing balms and even to cure ailments in animals, said Belen Stoneman, spiritual healer at Gila River's Aji Spa at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort. Read more...

New York — LittleMissMatched, the children’s gift, apparel and home accessories company that grew from the idea of selling socks in odd numbers that don't match, is opening a store in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The company partnered with IT’SUGAR, a candy store, to create a destination where “fashion fuses with fun.” Read more...