News

Happy Holiday$ Local shoppers help retailers buck national trend

Le Mars, Iowa — Crummy economy? Worse weather? Local store managers and owners didn't wince.Many are reporting Christmas season sales that matched or were close to last year's good numbers.That's not the story across the... more »

Stronger than expected holiday sales reported by Fulton area retailers

Retail sales for most Fulton businesses were up this year during the traditional holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, a Fulton Sun survey reveals.Many retailers were surprised by the strength of sales because of so... more »

Dale business redefines 1-stop shop

Dale — When it comes to multitasking, Sue Close is a bit of a marvel.The Dale woman runs a beauty salon, gift shop, tanning salon and coffee shop — all packed into a single building.She's... more »

Shops busy Saturday, but Christmas bottom line won’t be known for days

West Park Mall was bustling with people Saturday."You can tell it's busy," said Amy McAllister of Cape Girardeau. "People are parking all the way back to Taco Bell."McAllister preferred to wait in the car with... more »

Small Businesses Starting, Thriving Despite Recession

The unemployment rate in Kansas is lower than many parts of the country and one organization in Northeast Kansas is working to keep it that way. Some small businesses are getting started and thriving during... more »

In effort to save the sales season, stores turn to discounts

Soon after Uniquely Leo's Ltd. opened at 10 a.m. Friday, a man came in with a shopping list from his wife.That gave store owner Marcelyn Miller a flicker of hope through the gloom of recent... more »

Black Friday II: With gift cards in hand, shoppers descend on stores

Traditionally, Dec. 26 has been a day to return gifts that didn't fit or weren't to the recipient's taste. But gift cards are turning the day into a shopping bonanza similar to Black Friday."The traffic... more »

Braggin’ rights

Montpelier, VT – Like the elves in the North Pole, there were a number of late nights for Doug Bragg and his cohorts at Bragg Farm this holiday season."The last two weeks, it's really gangbusters,"... more »

Shop talk: Lessons gleaned from the holiday shopping season

I am a student of shopping. I get my thrill from watching people shop, learning why people shop and discovering how shopping habits affect people and the world around them.Not surprisingly, the holiday shopping season... more »

Gift helps gem shop lure visitors to Rice Museum

OR — Jane Guariniello knew what an excellent opportunity the offer presented. When the retailer Sharper Image filed for bankruptcy protection and closed its stores, one of the most desirable retail locations in Hillsboro came... more »