Jul 6, 2008

Slowing economy and small businessesBy TradingMarkets.com

The U.S. Small Business Administration handed Nibbles & Bits specialty gift shop owner Mechele Corry the organization’s “Celebrate Success” award on June 27. Ms. Corry was the first Lackawanna County-based recipient of the award since the Celebrate Success initiative began three years ago. The Small Business Administration is giving the award to a business in each Pennsylvania county with proven longevity, growth, profitability and innovation.

Ms. Corry was chosen from some 14,500 registered businesses in Lackawanna, according to Small Business Administration officials from the district office in Philadelphia. She bought the business at 700 S. Blakely St. four years ago from previous owners David and Debbie Fiore, who started Nibbles & Bits in 1988. The shop carries a line of gourmet coffees, specialty chocolates, fine candy, stuffed animals, gift baskets and knickknacks for most occasions.

However, with the national economy in a downturn, Ms. Corry recently has had to scale back operations for the first time since she’s owned it.

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