Gift shop, coffeehouse share downtown Valpo locale

Valparaiso -- Opening a coffee shop had been a longtime dream for Karen Scheidenberger.In December, the Valparaiso woman opened Isabella Bean coffeehouse cafe inside Sweet Serenity gift shop downtown.Scheidenberger worked for Sweet Serenity at its... more »

Live from the Atlanta Gift Show with Six New Products

Today is the fourth day of the Temps at the Atlanta Gift Show and it's been fantastic so far. Show traffic has been wonderful and my show bag is busting at the seams with interesting... more »

Robinson brings ‘New Creations’ to Darlington hospital

Darlington — Brenda Robinson is a woman who turned a rough time in her life into something productive with the success of her business, New Creations."New Creations was inspired by my mother, Thomasina Wearing, who... more »

Local artist Tyus finds niche market

Kofi Tyus could never find a Mother's Day card with which he was truly satisfied. So one day, more than 30 years ago, he had the idea to create his own Mother's Day card. Armed... more »

The gift-card giveaway

When you buy a gift card, it's not the retailer who's supposed to get a present. But that's how it works out when consumers fail to redeem all or part of gift cards worth billions... more »

Downtown boosted by niche businesses; Record number of openings

For the first time in 10 years, business is booming in downtown Chatham.Executive director of the Downtown Chatham BIA, Janice Wieringa, said 2007 was a record year for opening new businesses in the downtown core."We... more »

Capitol gift shop set to open doors

State Rep. Sam Hunt isn't just the proud father of the Capitol's new legislative gift shop.He also is its first customer.Rather than send out cigars, the Olympia Democrat issued a news release this week to... more »

Business blooms in Volunteer Building

Mary Gentry got the desire to run her own business honestly -- she was born with it.Her father, Jim Gentry, owns Gentry Chevrolet Pontiac Buick in Marion County. That business passed to him from her... more »

Weak Holiday Shopping Adds to Economic Fears

With the recent reports of weak retail sales, here's an argument for why December may not be as important as you think.Were holiday sales weak this year? For the most part, yes. According to TNS... more »

What are the most efficient methods to clear store inventory?

Gail Markert of Markert Group Consulting Gail Markert of Markert Group Consulting 615.292.7819 MarkertGroupConsulting.com The most popular methods require enhanced focus on the products in the form of improved placement, publicity, pricing or pairing with... more »