By D. Patrick JonesIt’s November and ’tis the season. Holiday decorations, a parade of ads, the Hallmark channel showing lots of Christmas trees and, of course, the ever-present music reminds us that it is time to shop. For most retailers, as this quarter goes, so go the results for the...

Chamber officials, Tri-City retailers remind shoppers to think localLocally-owned Tri-City retailers hope shoppers will “think small” when picking out their holiday gifts this year.“We expect a really great holiday season. Retail is up about three percent nationwide, so it’s doing well. People are spending more money in shops and definitely...

Einan’s at Sunset will transform its Richland event center into the North Pole this holiday season.The fourth annual Santa’s Village is a great way for families to shop for gifts, enjoy holiday snacks, snap photos with Santa and kick off the holiday season, said Holley Sowards, operations manager of Einan’s...

Tri-City thrift store shoppers can check out Kennewick’s newest shop, Tri-Cities Autism Thrift.The new store provides job skills training opportunities for those with autism and other cognitive disabilities.“I had been praying a long time for there to be a place for my 24-year-old daughter — who has high-functioning autism —...

Book appointments for Santa photos onlineAvoid the lines for a photo with Santa at Columbia Center mall by reserving an appointment in advance.Children can share their Christmas wishes and get photos with Santa beginning Nov. 18 through Dec. 24 outside the Sears store.Parents can reserve times with Santa online at simonsanta.com.“One...

While people were trying to squeeze in one last summer trip before the school year kicked off, Bill Watson was preparing for cold weather and holiday shopping.“Most employers are getting ready for seasonal hiring in September,” said Watson, business services contact for WorkSource Columbia Basin. “They like to get people...

When Donna Holloway opened her vintage second-hand store in 2008 in Kennewick’s Marineland Village, she had no idea she would outgrow the location within eight years.Threads Consignment Boutique moved in August to its new location in downtown Kennewick at 127 W. Kennewick Ave., and the digs are as vintage as...

Ten years ago, Kagen Cox tasted his first crepe.“It was a little bit of heaven in my mouth,” he recalled, adding that he and his wife, Jennifer, were on vacation when he discovered the thin French pancakes. “From that point on—whenever we’d take trips—we were always trying to find places...