News

Small businesses in a fight for survival

Kenny Wynn has spent 26 years in the gas station business, and has surely seen his share of ups and downs. Tammi Jones-Seward opened her Middletown gift shop just a year ago, and is still... more »

Mason City’s retail sales up 5 percent

Des Moines — Mason City's taxable retail sales jumped by nearly 5 percent from 2006 to 2007, according to a study released this month from Iowa State University. The study also reported that Mason City... more »

How Long Island firms are coping

With the average gasoline price on Long Island at more than $4 a gallon, small businesses adapt to rising operating costs and the economic crunch. Here's how some are coping: A former New York City... more »

Harrisonburg Gift & Thrift Plans Facility Expansion

Harrisonburg - Harrisonburg Gift & Thrift Shop is getting a chance to spread its mission of "good stewardship" a little bit further. The company plans to build a 14,700-square-foot building to house one of Gift... more »

Fadden’s General Store: The real thing

Into a world where shops come and go, the faces and names of their clerks are forgotten and customer loyalty often gives way to convenience, comes a moment when a man and an errand span... more »

Shop in a quaint setting

Very near the southern border of Michigan lies the historic town of Blissfield. This quaint village is full of great Victorian homes and buildings, many of which now house downtown businesses. It was founded in... more »

Tip Toes shop brings kids’ stuff to Holland retail

Holland — Business owners Jennifer and Matthew Holmes have opened the one store they believed downtown Holland was lacking. "The one thing that seemed to be missing from downtown was a store for babies and... more »

Small businesses battle big problems

Pittsburgh — Small business is risky business these days. Costs are rising, profits are shrinking and the ability of the big guys to keep prices relatively lower is drawing away customers. Things are so bad... more »

Stimulus checks effective, government says

Washington - The stimulus checks are working. A big increase in retail sales signaled that people are spending their rebate payments, helping to ward off a serious economic slump, at least for now. The Commerce... more »

Shanksville shop owner likes being close to family

Shanksville — September 2005 was a special month for Shanksville resident Robin Duppstadt. After years as an independent consultant for the Longaberger Basket Factory in Ohio, the Gaithersburg, Md., native took a leap of faith... more »