Keara Schwartz from Share Some Sugar made CBS News' list of top picks for websites that can save you money by swapping, shopping, or sharing. Schwartz's website connects you with people in the community to trade or buy items for less.Read the full story here.
Daisy Mae's Market, the largest produce retailer at Findlay Market, delivers fresh produce to downtown businesses and restaurants weekly for a healthy break room option. Due to the overall success and high demand for deliveries within the past year, owner Barry Cooper decided to expand the storage space to a location near Findlay Market with more space for storage and preparation. "We can carry more inventory and have a place to assemble and sort the orders," Barry said. "It is difficult to manage everything in a tent outside at the market. Now we have a place for storage with a cooler and assembly tables for the daily twenty to thirty orders."Daisy Mae delivers to the Downtown area without any delivery charge and will travel as far as Norwood. If the need arises for further locations, Cooper says he is willing to entertain any sizeable office. Daisy Mae offers a few set packages of fresh fruits and vegetables, but will also customize orders to fit client's needs. Clients vary from large insurance, engineer, and architectural firms, to smaller businesses in the area. The company also offers personalized orders for employees at businesses to take home, allowing customers to complete all of their produce shopping at the same time of the business drop off. Many business clients receive orders once or twice a week. Daisy Mae delivers Tuesday through Friday.Cooper expressed his excitement for the delivery and market's future as they expand further in Over-the-Rhine. "There is quite a buzz in OTR. There is a sense that things are changing a bit with a lot of urban professionals moving in and new shopping arriving at Findlay Market." Daisy Mae has also introduced new product lines to cater to different ethnic groups, which also brought in new clients. "We are right on the crest of the idea of healthy living and people trying to eat better. Now we're filling a niche," Cooper says.Writer: Lisa EnsmingerPhotography by Scott Beseler
Mannequin, a new local charitable boutique located in Over-the-Rhine, brings a unique idea to the local retail market. Owner Moe Rouse drew on several inspirations in coming up with the idea.As a member of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Rouse was part of NCJW's annual one day sale of donated clothing that raises money for various charitable projects. Rouse decided she could do more by turning this one-day sale into a continuous event. The merchandise in Mannequin will be either donated or bought from New York City and feature women's vintage and contemporary clothing, accessories, art, and antiques. All of Mannequin's proceeds will go to various charities, such as Stop Aids, Tender Mercies, and Lighthouse Youth Services. Rouse has the Mannequin space in the Gateway Quarter for free for one-year courtesy of the Northpoint Group in Cincinnati. Rouse expressed her satisfaction with the area as she connects with people who live and work in the area. "People in the street have been totally pivotal in making this happen. I have made a lot of friends in the streets, which makes it very special. I am really connecting with those who live and work in the area," Rouse said.Rouse notes that an important Cincinnati woman, Bobbie Corbean, also inspired her. A former stylist, model, and coordinator, Rouse says Bobbie Corbean always concerned herself with helping young women grow to their full potential. A fund for young women in Over-the-Rhine will receive money from the proceeds of sale items in the "Bobbie Corbean Corner" of Mannequin. "I was captivated by Bobby's Store. She had many of the same objectives that Mannequin has and we are fulfilling Bobbie's wishes," Rouse adds.Mannequin's official grand opening will take place January 7, and the store will be open every Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. Jim Rauth, a local author of the book "Mannequin," donated fifty copies of his work to the store and will offer a book signing on the opening day. Writer: Lisa EnsmingerPhotography by Scott Beseler.
Cincinnati Bell turned to another Cincinnati-based company, Convergys, and their "Intelligent Credits" to help drive significant cost savings and increase customer satisfaction. Read the full story here.
Procter & Gamble celebrates its 6th year of supporting the Middle East's disabled community through Special Olympics' Middle East and North Africa (MENA) campaign. P&G donates 1 dirham for every purchase of their participating brands to demonstrate their commitment to helping the Arab community with opportunities to develop self esteem and physical fitness for the disabled. Read the full story here.
Three Greater Cincinnati websites devoted to partnering with local business to offer group discount deals have merged to form a revamped version of YoDeal.YoDeal relaunched on Nov. 15 with a coupon for $10 dollars worth of bagels for $5 at Marx Hot Bagels in Blue Ash. The site sold 702 coupons, said YoDeal founder Keith Kollstedt.YoDeal went dark in early August. It was one of several new sites that have popped up in Cincinnati in the last year offering discounts for products and services at local business, generally at 50 percent off or more. The sites all relied on group buying, and the deals were available only after a certain number of people purchased them.The assets of the new site have been purchased by Blue Ash-based Reach USA, a multimedia direct marketing company that produces the Valpack, Reach magazine and other marketing and coupon products. Reach also rolled in the assets of deal site WouldURather, which is no longer online.Reach briefly ran its own group purchasing site, ereach Big Deal of the Day, which has been temporarily suspended, said Kollstred who now works with a 10-person digital sales team in Blue Ash. This new arrangement makes the locally founded YoDeal more sustainable, Kollstedt said."Reach offers a solid foundation and is a well-known name in the city and the country. This also gives us access to Reach's full media suite," he said.While YoDeal's ownership has changed, so has the site itself. "We have actually changed the look and feel of this site to make it more crisp. We're trying to define it as a more premium site, and our deals (will reflect that). We'll be offering deals for the area's premium spas, restaurants and activities," Kollstedt said.The site has kept its commitment to nonprofits as well. Up to 10 percent of purchases each week goes to a local nonprofit organization."I think we are in the position where we need to be. We're with a well-established company and we are a little different from sites like Groupon and Living Social because of our relationship with charities. That opens up a lot of different avenues for us as far as the businesses we work with and the individuals who buy from us," Kollstedt said.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: YoDeal founder Keith KollstedtYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites
Tom Lunney was inspired by his work with local business owners and wanted to create a better way for them to connect and prosper. Enter Buy Local Cincy.
The holiday shopping season is officially underway and this year Cincinnatians are being encouraged to buy locally. Sean Fisher, founder of BuyCincy.com, has planned Cincinnati Unchained for Saturday, November 20th. Fisher has coordinated with local independent businesses within the cityin twelve Cincinnati neighborhoods to offer special discounts, door buster specials, or donate a portion of the day's sales to their favorite charity. Lisa Kagen, storeowner of Melt and Picnic & Pantry in Northside, thinks consumers who seek out independent retailers are choosing to support their local economy first. And that's good for the neighborhoods where independent businesses are located."This is the only way we can be patient with our economy and rebuild it by reinvesting in our local economy instead of chain businesses," Kagen said. "It is not a trend, but a movement back to how a real economy used to work."Kagen opened Picnic & Pantry in May of this year. She found the need to add a local grocery and market in Northside and loved the area because of its diverse atmosphere, affordability, and historic appeal. Always attracted to neighborhoods on the cusp of blossoming, Kagen finds that Northside, along with other areas in Cincinnati, provide a lot of opportunity for independent shops to thrive. Kagen explained that she has no trouble finding local resources and that other businesses are willing to communicate and support one another. Another thriving neighborhood for entrepreneurs is Over-the-Rhine with forty-seven new businesses in the past two years. Brian Tiffany, Executive Director of the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce, supports the Cincinnati Unchained event, and views it as a great opportunity to demonstrate that buying local during the holidays offers shoppers a unique alternative. According to Tiffany, Over-the-Rhine businesses attract a variety of age groups ranging from the younger community to the "empty-nesters" looking for something new in the historic area. "The younger community is a lot faster at embracing the change and opportunity, but as the word gets out a wide variety of people seem to visit the neighborhood," Tiffany said. Tiffany explains that Over-the-Rhine is attractive to new businesses due to the changes taking place in the neighborhood, including Washington Park's overhaul and SCPA's new facility, and the Chamber's Business First grant program. So much affordable opportunity is available for small businesses as well as for home ownership. "For once in a long time, I feel like the planets are aligning in Over-the-Rhine. I think the neighborhood has been challenged for so many years, and now it is moving into its own and starting to recognize its full potential," Tiffany said.Writer: Lisa EnsmingerPhotography by Scott Beseler. Picnic & Pantry
Macy's prepares across the nation for a series of special events and displays for children and adults for the upcoming holidays. Despite the low purchasing rate due to the economy, Macy's has high hopes for the season by creating a magical setting to inspire the joy of the holidays. One of the events includes the "Nutcracker Market Fashion Show," celebrating the Houston Ballet and giving the proceeds to the Houston Ballet Foundation's academy and scholarship program. Read the full story here.
MSN's News on Main asked small businesses across the nation about their tactics for attracting customers for the upcoming Black Friday. Featured lifestyle design store, High Street, hosts an annual White Russian Party. Last year, nearly 1000 customers came to the event, celebrating and shopping with cocktails. Watch the video here.
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