News

Taking ship décor to shore

One million years ago, glaciers covered this region. Up to 6,500 feet thick, they carved out the earth, finally withdrawing 10,000 years ago leaving us with the Great Lakes.Our own Lake Michigan has hosted ships... more »

Retailers are counting on the tax holiday’s reappearance to boost sales

Retailers are hoping the state's sales tax holiday will draw customers into their stores, but will they take the bait?Massachusetts has not had a sales tax holiday since August 2008, just before the start of... more »

New Concepts are Back on the Agenda for Some Retailers

Landlords on the prowl for new tenants have reason for optimism.Although vacancy rates in all retail property types continue to creep higher, retailers that were knocked down by the recession are pulling themselves off the... more »

From the barn to the Web

The signs once posted on the fence beside the yellow tobacco barn on N.C. 55 where the cousins Netta Broughton and Judy Humphries started an art and gift store about three years ago have been... more »

Retailers Juggle Life and Business

Several local women business owners say it is difficult to strike a perfect balance between professional and personal with the stress of running a successful business, but despite long hours and the neverending daily demands,... more »

High Falls seeks more shops as it fosters office, residential uses

The start of the business revival of the historic High Falls district in Rochester may be traced to the last week in January 2007. It was, paradoxically, the sort of bad and embarrassing week that... more »

Blooming business: At Ann’s Florist shop, flowers are just the start

The sign outside says Ann's Florist. Once inside you can't miss the refrigerated cases of colorful arrangements or tiered display of vases filled with a rainbow of fresh-cut lilies, orchids, hydrangeas and other blossoms. Their... more »

Businesses anticipate increased revenue from convention center crowds

Las Cruces, NM — The equation is simple: More hotel guests equals more customers. Artist Maria Christina operates Regalos y Art Gift Shop in the Ramada Palms de Las Cruces, 201 E. University Ave. She... more »

Shops grapple with fallout from group coupons

Chicago, IL —Local shops nationwide are pulling in thousands of new customers with group coupons online, but the deals can sometimes work too well, turning marketing into a game of retail roulette.Some of the nail... more »

Saving our shore, a T-shirt at a time

Dauphin Island, Alabama -- Once the oil spill began, Mack and Joy Russell, owners of the gift shop mack-n-dd's Emporium, watched their sales receipts drop drastically. And their beach house here, typically rented throughout the... more »