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49+ min ago (29+ words) Why the Hudson Valley is Different A Region Built on Stories, Craft, and Character A Few Local Gems Worth Knowing Why Shopping Local Truly Matters Gallery Credit: Grayce Journick...

2+ hour, 17+ min ago (387+ words) Political shifts have turned the toy industry's supply chain into a game of Operation. Stephen Chininis, professor of the practice at Georgia Tech and longtime toy designer, says the impact of tariffs is only beginning to hit consumers." "Prices are going to go up; there's no doubt about it, and some products will be scarce," Chininis explained. "This is not intentional scarcity sometimes built into the toy industry. This is accidental scarcity." Manufacturers once relied on China's speed and low labor costs to react quickly to trends. Now, uncertainty around tariffs has companies freezing expansion and shifting production to places like Vietnam and Thailand, sometimes still under Chinese ownership. Add in skyrocketing shipping costs, and containers that once cost $2,500 now run $20,000." Industry data confirms the pressure: China still produces nearly 80% of toys and 90% of holiday decorations sold in the U.S., and…...

2+ hour, 17+ min ago (474+ words) I may have had my hands on one of the last pennies in local circulation. And I let it go. The last penny pressed at the Philadelphia mint rolled off the production line on the afternoon of November 12. There was a ceremonial strike, or pressing, of that last penny after a successful 232-year roll. The U.S. Mint stated in its last annual report that it cost 3.69 cents to make one penny. And in fiscal year 2023 there were 4.5 billion pennies minted, at a cost of over $179 million. That's a lot of pennies. If you gave every person in the United States a dozen of those shiny newly-minted pennies, there would still be enough leftovers for you to throw in your two cents worth. You ask, "If there were that many billion pennies minted, then we are not going to run out for…...

2+ hour, 26+ min ago (221+ words) [holiday shopping]Books, clothes, and toys need representation, especially for Black children. Get Into This Black-Owned Gifts Guide For Black And Brown Children This guide emphasizes two essential principles:giving children the gift of pride in their identity and supporting Black businesses through purposeful spending. Books, clothes, and toys need representation, especially for Black children. Children who see their reflection in items they own and use develop self-esteem, cultural pride, and a sense of belonging. Purchasing holiday gifts from Black-owned children's brands not only uplifts young people but also directs economic resources to businesses and communities that have faced historical marginalization. This gift guide emphasizes both essential principles: giving children the gift of pride in their identity and supporting Black businesses through purposeful spending. Brown Toy Box " STEAM Kits & Educational Play Atlanta-based entrepreneur Terri Nichelle Bradley established Brown Toy Box…...

2+ hour, 26+ min ago (357+ words) Mid-November approaches and we have entered what many people refer to as the "Holiday Season." If you Google "what is the holiday season," you will find that the internet says "November to January." Everything changes: store colors, music, the whole vibe. Everything. We talk about the "Holiday Season" like it is only a couple of holidays " when in reality, there are so many more happening than anyone ever mentions. (Me personally, I don't see Diwali getting recognition " I'm usually taking a math test on that day.) There are so many holidays and if we got a day off for every single one we would never have to go to school " not that I'd complain " and no one would ever work. And if that were the case, the economy would collapse and there would be absolutely no need for holiday sales,…...

6+ hour, 23+ min ago (1090+ words) ORLANDO, Fla. " America's warehouse clubs " Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale " are booming. "When consumer sentiment is high, shoppers spend more time shopping and buying extra items. Conversely, when consumer sentiment is low, warehouse clubs and superstores draw a larger pool of consumers as households seek to cut expenses by buying in bulk for the future." That paragraph is from IBISWorld.com and their 2025 analysis of the warehouse club industry. Read between the lines: when the economy is bad, people flock to warehouse clubs. When the economy is good, people flock to warehouse clubs. Very few industries get to have their cake and eat it, too. [RELATED: Costco plan for Sanford's mall has businesses lining up, officials say] In an era marked by economic uncertainty, digital disruption, and rapidly changing consumer habits, each of the three warehouse clubs is thriving…...

14+ hour, 39+ min ago (349+ words) ENTERPRISE & GENEVA, Ala. (WTVY) - For small businesses, the holidays are not just busy. They are critical. Holiday support determines what many business owners bring into the new year. Shelby Danley, owner of Willow House Boutique in Geneva, said local spending has a direct impact on community services. "If I spend it local, it's going to go to help support my local police officers, fire and rescue workers, my schools, especially if I have children in school here or grandchildren," Danley said. According to Danley, 68 cents of every dollar spent locally stays in the town. "They're not just spending money with us to help us succeed. They're actually helping our whole community succeed," she said. From hand-made gifts to familiar faces behind the counter, local stores are more than places to shop; they are the heartbeat of towns, especially in downtown…...

14+ hour, 41+ min ago (49+ words) The National Retail Federation expects holiday sales to break past one trillion dollars for the first time in 2025. Small business owners say holiday shopping locally shapes hometown's future Flowers Hospital earns sixth consecutive "Straight A" for patient safety Dothan transitional housing program offers fresh start for residents...

15+ hour, 41+ min ago (123+ words) One major and almost immediate way to help the City of New Orleans during the fiscal crisis is to shop in Orleans Parish. The sales tax (except the state sales tax of 5%) stays here. Local tax-paying businesses and, indirectly, their employees benefit as well. One major and almost immediate way to help the City of New Orleans during the fiscal crisis is to shop in Orleans Parish. The sales tax (except the state sales tax of 5%) stays here. Local tax-paying businesses and, indirectly, their employees benefit as well. Some shopping is done in chain stores. Pick an outlet in Orleans Parish. Want to see your opinion published in The Advocate | Times-Picayune? Submit a letter to the editor....

19+ hour, 11+ min ago (343+ words) Los Angeles County is giving consumers a way to get more bang for their buck this holiday season by offering extra cash with a new digital gift card to shop locally. As part of a Shop Local. Dine Local. Recover Local campaign to help business owners recover from January's firestorm, the county launched a new program Monday where customers can buy a $100, $50, or $20 digital gift card for a local small business and they'll get an additional 50% bonus on the card while supplies last. So far, 20 businesses including custom clothing vendors, beauty salons, restaurants and bookshops in L.A. County have enrolled in the program with more vendors to be added daily, according to the program website. It's funded in part by a $100,000 contribution from L.A. Care, alongside a partnership with Yiftee and Southern California Grantmakers. The bonus is a limited time offer in…...