News

The Chicago Market: Living and Giving Welcomes New and Returning Temporary Exhibitors to the July Market

Chicago, IL – This July, The Chicago Market: Living and Giving® has already sold 80% of its temporary exhibit space, which is well ahead of schedule for its July Market. This past January, 44% of... more »

Gift card use declines despite holiday buying

Thanks to the recession, use of prepaid and gift cards in the United States dropped from 66 percent in 2008 to 61 percent in 2009, according to a report from Javelin Strategy & Research of... more »

Tourism off to a great start as Easter weekend visitors remain

At Jordan's House of Seafood in Emerald Isle the Easter weekend crowd was still hanging around as a new week began."We were extremely busy all weekend. It really started Thursday, and we're still doing a... more »

White House starts $21 million program to aid small businesses

In March 2009, President Obama vowed to address the drought of bank lending to small companies and announced an initiative to use $15 billion from the federal bailout to unfreeze the markets that finance Small... more »

Businesswoman turns store into work of art

Marilyn Staples has spent the past 30 years turning a former art supply store into a work of art -- and one of the most popular stores in downtown Port Townsend.The Green Eyeshade, housed in... more »

Delafield businesses are ready for better days

Delafield — When Donna Lee Stecker opened her boutique clothing store 10 years ago on Genesee St., Delafield's historic downtown was a busier place.The economy was strong, and the town had an antique mall and... more »

Sweet dream realized on S.F.’s Russian Hill

When Diane and Brian Campbell loaded their car on New Year's Day in 1996 and left Manhattan for San Francisco, they knew no one and were short on money - but had a long-held dream.After... more »

Retail experts see increase in Easter sales this year

Got peeps? How about chocolate bunnies, or Cadbury eggs?Easter, a Christian holiday that marks new life and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is an end to the long winter. And Easter celebrations - both religious... more »

Old Town: Shop ‘mom and pop’

The shopping bug got to several local patrons at Old Town La Quinta, as merchants began spreading the word about National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day.All Old Town La Quinta merchants, including its restaurants,... more »

Understanding ‘The Awesome Experience’

What if I came to you recently for advice on opening a business? What if I said I was going to open a 15,000-square-foot, brick-and-mortar, retail store selling gift items and furniture? What if I... more »