News

Retailers Should See Strong Back-to-School Season

Even though the kids have barely gotten settled into the routine at summer camp, in retail land it's already getting to be that time of year again: back-to-school season.If you headed out to the mall... more »

Tourism in Virginia City begins to bounce back

Retailers in Virginia City hope the start of summer brings about an increase in business, which for many has plummeted in recent years.Many of the small gift and antiques shops in Virginia City live and... more »

Will County retail numbers spike

Unemployment numbers are sluggish. Home sales and prices are languishing.But one recently released statistic showed promise for the Will County economy. First quarter 2011 retail sales were up 9.88 percent compared to the first quarter... more »

Local pharmacy expands what it offers customers

Opelousas residents are accustomed to seeing Ken's Thrifty Way Pharmacy on Prudhomme Lane, where it has stood for 39 years.And while the pharmacy and gift shop will continue to occupy its same familiar location, Ken's... more »

Fair-trade focus: New shop features African baskets, international decor

Seven years ago, Irene Zuehlsdorff set out to start a "giving" business that would personally benefit those making the products she sells. It took some work, but the Kalispell woman eventually tapped into a women's... more »

Blue Yonder gift store opens at airport

Owls Head — Air travelers and others in the area can now buy snacks, gifts, ornaments, jewelry and postcards at a new store at Knox County Regional Airport.Jane Newcomb of Owls Head opened Blue Yonder... more »

Mother opens cupcake bakery next door to daughter’s dog bakery

Fort Walton Beach, FL — Two bakeries now sit side-by-side with a lot in common, but their clientele are very different.Cupcakes by the Beach is the newest shop in downtown Fort Walton Beach. Owner Vanessa... more »

Eclectic Mrs. O’Leary’s like ‘five different stores’ in one

Mrs. O'Leary's can't be summed up in one word, unless that word happens to be eclectic. The Old Town business is gift store, arts and crafts workshop, massage studio and restaurant all rolled up in... more »

Bigger and better

Little could Mabel McLaughlin have envisioned the new gift shop about to be unveiled at DeGraff Memorial Hospital when she established the hospital's auxiliary in 1946.The original "gift shop" started by McLaughlin and the auxiliary... more »

Carm’s Gift Shoppe celebrates 20 years

Carmella Norris remembers a time when customers lined up outside her store at 5 a.m., eagerly awaiting the sound of the engine of a UPS truck – a sure sign of a new shipment of... more »