Buying power of women on display

More women are making household buying decisions across the country and business owners and marketers are tailoring services to reflect the shift."There is a pretty huge, emerging trend," said Ruth Winig, senior vice president at... more »

Mom, daughter keep boutique going strong

In the world of superstores, running a small, self-owned retail store isn't easy.But Samantha Stokes and her mother, Susan Stokes, are fighting the odds with an Indian Trail boutique, One Sassy Chic, that celebrated its... more »

Sweetness always for sale here

I ran into Peter Cottontail the other day. He's about 36 inches tall, weighs 22 pounds and is made of dreamy chocolate. He's also being raffled off at Kilwin's over in Ballantyne Village.What is Kilwin's?... more »

Busy lifestyles shift leisure shopping time

Family calendars fill up quickly with the hustle of organized activities and bustle of responsibilities that have resulted in a change in the way we shop."Research shows that time is the most precious commodity," says... more »

Mall of America: Miles and smiles

Bloomington, Minn. — Minnesota isn't known for moderate weather. But blizzardlike winters, blinding rainstorms or muggy summers don't deter shoppers at the Mall of America, where it's always a dry, comfortable 70 degrees.In fact, you... more »

Downtown merchants form business alliance

Before the modern-day malls and shopping strips, people had only one place to shop — downtown.Some got all dressed up in their Sunday best, while others simply wore their everyday attire as they shopped for... more »

Tenn. artist’s custom creations finding national acclaim

Lisa Norris finds her bliss in decorative papers, discarded photographs, spare buttons and fanciful fabrics.Random doodads make her happy when she uses them to create bound books, albums, stationery and collages.Vintage fashions, patterns, fabrics and... more »

Downtown merchants to stay open later on 2nd Friday every month

In a group push to get more people into their stores, many downtown Ypsilanti merchants will stay open until 9 p.m. and offer special events and incentives on the second Friday of every month. The... more »

Pampering and alpacas amid history

The stately historic home with welcoming porch and shaded courtyard at the top of the gently inclining drive is completely expected; the alpacas, however, are a surprise - and something of a novelty in these... more »

HOM relocating to Town Square

Sioux City -- A group of investors has purchased the Town Square retail mall and has leased the former Younkers portion of the downtown Sioux City building to HOM Furniture.Coon Rapids, Minn.-based HOM plans to... more »