Oct 11, 2011

Uptick in Small Business Optimism First in Six MonthsBy Kimberly ElshamNews.Medill.Northwestern.edu

Chicago, IL – Open boxes of Halloween and holiday decorations are strewn on the counters and floors at the Confection Connection Too!, 316 S. Dearborn St., as owner Gail Goodman prepares for the kickoff to her holiday season. Goodman is upbeat, anticipating stronger sales for her store’s candy and gift selection than she racked up last year.

“At this point, it looks like it is going up a little bit,” she says cautiously.

Goodman’s sentiment is in line with survey results released Tuesday by the National Federation of Independent Business, which found small business owners are a bit more optimistic about their state.

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