consumer trends

Shop local and save gas

Pace resident Yolando Peacher has a decision to make each time she goes shopping or eats out: Does she spend $4 per gallon for the 17-mile round-trip to get to Pensacola, or does she stay... more »

El Dorado Springs downtown revitalization begins as dream

Four years ago Jack Tough did not think much about why so many downtown El Dorado Springs buildings were boarded up or used for storage.The sight had become commonplace.Tough said Kimball Long, El Dorado Springs... more »

Minimal impact

On Thursday, the federal minimum wage will be bumped up by 70 cents, but that won't have much impact on many area businesses that already are paying well above the lowest rate, according to some... more »

Historic downtown center seeking new business

Huntington -- It's been about three weeks since Boston Beanery closed at Heritage Village in downtown Huntington. So far, there's been interest expressed in the facility but no takers."Most people think it needs some updating... more »

Closing ‘bittersweet’ for downtown business owner

As customers mill about the Twigs gift shop to say goodbye and check out the sales, owner Christi Bounds said she is both happy and sad to know her popular downtown business will be closing... more »

Gloomy Days Ahead for Retailers

Congress probably wasn't thinking about food last winter when it voted to send stimulus checks to 130 million U.S. households. President George W. Bush and other leaders hoped the package, amounting to more than $100... more »

Many Beloved Shops Don’t Have to Disappear

In a Manhattan neighborhood where utilitarian stores have transformed into trendy eateries, meatpacking businesses were made over as designer dress showplaces, and every other storefront becomes an expensive hair salon, a string of old-school, regular-Joe... more »

Can downtown Brunswick stay in business?

Brunswick — A tough economy, not enough draw to downtown, no major highways nearby and a lack of parking are just some reasons Brunswick store owners are feeling a pinch in their sales. Julia Saulnier... more »