consumer trends

Recycling the past at new shop, Re-Enhabit

Portsmouth — Re-Enhabit opened downtown on June 11, and it's one unique store. There is no other store like it in the city. As the company's card says, "Come rediscover the fun and appeal of... more »

Old courthouse shops bring owners, customers together

Crown Point — Walking through the doors of the old courthouse in downtown Crown Point is like walking back in time. Located on the building's lower level are shops of every variety, from a candy... more »

Small businesses in a fight for survival

Kenny Wynn has spent 26 years in the gas station business, and has surely seen his share of ups and downs. Tammi Jones-Seward opened her Middletown gift shop just a year ago, and is still... more »

Mason City’s retail sales up 5 percent

Des Moines — Mason City's taxable retail sales jumped by nearly 5 percent from 2006 to 2007, according to a study released this month from Iowa State University. The study also reported that Mason City... more »

How Long Island firms are coping

With the average gasoline price on Long Island at more than $4 a gallon, small businesses adapt to rising operating costs and the economic crunch. Here's how some are coping: A former New York City... more »

Harrisonburg Gift & Thrift Plans Facility Expansion

Harrisonburg - Harrisonburg Gift & Thrift Shop is getting a chance to spread its mission of "good stewardship" a little bit further. The company plans to build a 14,700-square-foot building to house one of Gift... more »

Shop in a quaint setting

Very near the southern border of Michigan lies the historic town of Blissfield. This quaint village is full of great Victorian homes and buildings, many of which now house downtown businesses. It was founded in... more »

Tip Toes shop brings kids’ stuff to Holland retail

Holland — Business owners Jennifer and Matthew Holmes have opened the one store they believed downtown Holland was lacking. "The one thing that seemed to be missing from downtown was a store for babies and... more »