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Community Corner

Small Business Saturday Boosts Local Sales: Daily Iowan Reader, Nov. 26

Also inside: Boutique opens for breast cancer patients, Iowa City close to legalizing dogs in Ped Mall, and Hawks end season with 13-7 loss to Nebraska.

Small Business Saturday gains consumer recognition as sales spike in Iowa City

In its third year, Small Business Saturday prompted a near 30 percent increase in sales at one local business, and several other area businesses reported significant boosts as well.

The upbeat mood is echoed nationally — a report released today says U.S. consumers are more confident in the nation’s economy than they have been in five years.

According to a report released today by the National Economic Council and the Council of Economic Advisers, consumer sentiment is at its highest since September 2007, after plummeting in the summer of 2011. Also, the National Retail Federation predicts holiday sales will increase 4.1 percent this year to $586.1 billion.

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Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday kicked off the local holiday shopping season and many local storeowners say they saw an increase in awareness and sales this year.

Small Business Saturday was started in 2010 by American Express, and it has grown since then. Last year, more than 100 million Americans participated in the event, and this year, the event had more than 3 million followers on Facebook. Even President Obama supported the cause. 

Find out what's happening in Iowa Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Read more here.

 

Boutique for breast cancer patients opens in Coralville

Two area businesses are striving to make the lives of people with breast cancer a little bit easier by helping them feel more comfortable with their appearance after chemotherapy or surgery.

Read more here.

 

Iowa City close to legalizing dogs in Ped Mall

By the request of the Iowa City Downtown District, the City Council is considering an ordinance that, if passed, would allow dogs in the Ped Mall.

Read more here.

 

Kid Captain: Blake Derby continues to inspire others after chest surgery

Blake Derby, 15, developed a severe case of pectus excavatum — or a concave chest.

Read more here.

 

Senior season didn’t go how Vandenberg, Davis ‘drew it up’

James Vandenberg and Keenan Davis didn’t have the senior season they were hoping for together.

Read more here.


Charity stripe plays a big role Iowa women’s upset

Jaime Printy, Iowa tied Big Ten records for free throws in beating No. 12 West Virginia.

Read more here.

 

Editorial: Make walking safer in Iowa City

In a town so dependent on foot traffic, officials should take all the necessary steps to ensure that the safety needs of pedestrians and bicyclists are met, even if some modifications to Iowa City’s traffic-flow come at the expense of convenience for drivers.

Read more here.

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