LOCAL ECONOMY

Jun 04 2026BUSINESS

Small shops can score big with summer’s big games

Summer tourists keep flooding into Philadelphia. A major sports event brings crowds that many neighborhood shops rarely see. Owners don’t need to be official sponsors to get part of the wave. Local spots can still stand out by joining the excitement without breaking rules. Many visitors don’t care

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Jun 01 2026BUSINESS

New spots popping up in the Quad Cities: ice cream, thrift shopping, and nightlife

Aledo has a familiar sweet treat back again—just without the grill. Bowlyou’s Ice Cream Shop reopened on Third Street after shutting down its full restaurant last fall. This time, it’s all about scoops and cones, not burgers. The shop’s social media post called it a place for summer memories, with c

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May 25 2026ENTERTAINMENT

A Decade of Summer Sounds in Syracuse

Ten years ago, Syracuse got a new summer tradition that turned out to be more than just another stage. The Lakeview Amphitheater, now called the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater, opened in 2015 with a single country concert. What started as a $50 million project quickly became a cornerstone

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May 17 2026BUSINESS

New shops and food spots shaping up in Williamsburg and nearby areas

A long-running Williamsburg restaurant has shut its doors after four decades, but new businesses are stepping in to fill the space. The Whaling Co. , a fixture in the area since the 1980s, closed for good in August, leaving a vacant building on McLaws Circle. Now, two big-name chains are vying for t

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May 12 2026BUSINESS

When water vanishes: How a break left a town high and dry

Downtown Lake Orion turned eerily quiet after a big pipe cracked early Sunday morning. On Monday, most shops stayed shut while crews worked to fix the damage. The loss of water hit restaurants hardest, especially since Sunday was Mother’s Day—a day usually packed with families dining out. One local

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May 11 2026BUSINESS

Small businesses in Savannah show signs of growth but face tough challenges

Savannah’s economy is booming, mostly thanks to big players like the port and Hyundai’s new electric vehicle plant. But small businesses aren’t seeing the same rise. While mid-sized and large companies are growing fast, tiny businesses with under 20 workers are barely keeping up. Most of the small b

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May 10 2026BUSINESS

How Rising Fuel Costs Push Small Vendors to Adapt at Farmers Markets

The climb in gas prices has hit both sellers and shoppers hard. About a year ago, filling up a tank cost $3. 98 a gallon, but now some drivers pay nearly $6. For a farm shifting loads of berries from Central Coast fields to market, that extra cost adds up fast. One family-run business now spends $14

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Apr 29 2026BUSINESS

Dupont Circle shops struggle while city builds new park above busy road

A big construction project in Dupont Circle is causing problems for small businesses. The city is building a park on top of an underpass and adding bike lanes and sidewalks. Officials say it will make the area safer and nicer, but shop owners say they’re losing customers because of the work. One ba

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Apr 25 2026BUSINESS

Airport shops keep local names alive but not their original essence

Portland’s airport now has two new small shops that borrow names from local businesses. One is called Sheridan Fruit Company, named after a grocery that closed in February after 110 years. The other is Topaz Farm, a nod to a farm on Sauvie Island that reopened in 2020 under a new label. Both shops s

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Apr 15 2026BUSINESS

Savannah’s Small Business Week Gets a Fresh Start

The city of Savannah is gearing up for its annual Small Business Week, which will run from May 4 to May 8. The highlight is the Mayor’s Small Business Conference on May 6, where entrepreneurs can learn from peers and city leaders. Registration is open online but will close on April 24 or sooner if s

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