Small businesses struggle in downturn

Although the fate of certain large industries such as banking and automotive has drawn much attention over the course of the recession so far, about half of all private sector employees in the nation work... more »

Man has business nailed as boot maker

Wichita Falls — The Burk Boot Shop is a really good fit for this Wichita County town.The shop, owned by Armando and Patricia Dominguez, is a place where customers can get their shoes repaired, buy... more »

Noah’s Naturals restructures and repositions brand to answer consumer demand

Los Angeles, Calif. — With the increasing focus on health and wellbeing, Noah's Naturals is making it easier than ever for consumers to find natural and organic personal care products that fit into their lifestyles... more »

Hotel shop offers environmental bent

Mammoth, Montana - Shoppers may be more educated when buying these days, but how many are enlightened in the same place that they ponder their purchase?Offering interpretation along with an eco-friendly line of products, the... more »

Soul proprietor: Afro-centric gallery developing broad appeal

Winston-Salem — Race can be a touchy subject, and as a rule retailers don't like touchy subjects. Rather, they like as many customers as they can get. Sometimes, though, the issue is there anyway.Dana Suggs... more »

Splurge owner honored by chamber

Greenwich, CT — Sonia Sotire Malloy remembers when she was a child eating pizza by the slice at Davinci's pizza shop and hunting for treasures at Baubles in downtown Greenwich. The Stamford native said she... more »

Perfumers Breathe in Sales Data, and Strategize

Long after most other consumer goods companies were getting detailed reports on how their products were selling, giant perfume makers like Estée Lauder, l'Oréal and Coty operated mostly by intuition.While they might know that orders... more »

Merchants expand, despite slow economy

Birmingham — At a time when many local business owners are exhausting all their energy just keeping one store open, several savvy merchants are setting their sites on expansion.Rather than riding out the recession, Stacie... more »

Buttercup saves by sharing with similar stores

As The Buttercup stationery and gift shop celebrates its 34th anniversary this month, its owners are taking steps to ensure they can mark many more milestones.In February, for instance, the store ended its Monday hours... more »

The Flower Shop Offers Warmth, Variety, Gifts

Bethlehem - The world according to Julie Clifford and Kelly Kennedy is one filled with chrysanthemums and candles. The two women, who have worked together for approximately 20 years, own The Flower Shop at 151... more »