Merchants primed for fall, Halloween and the holidays

By Rod Lee

Sharen Doray thought for several seconds, wondering how to respond to a question about “what’s new with your business” when it is fairly obvious that at Ladybug Florist there is not a whole lot to add to “it is flowers for all sorts of occasions.”

Then, realizing that the inquirer wanted something to go with a story he was writing in advance of Halloween, Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday gift-buying frenzy,... Read More

October “Think Pink” campaign benefits The Cancer Center at Harrington

Southbridge/Dudley, Mass. – Sturbridge Coffee Roasters (SCR) will donate $1 for each pound of freshly roasted coffee purchased to The Cancer Center at Harrington Hospital during the month of October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To commemorate our “Think Pink” campaign, coffee is being sold in special pink bags to further raise awareness. The campaign is running at both of Sturbridge Coffee Roasters’ shops in Southbridge and... Read More

Rust to Ruffles rises above fire with home and a new shop

By  Amy Palumbo-LeClaire

On June 16, Lisa Caccialino stood in two feet of water and took one last look at her burning antique shop, a building luminescent and red, as reflected by a series of fire trucks, which had lined up on 710 Main Street in North Oxford. The three-alarm fire was called in around 6:30 p.m.

“I was praying that by some chance my items would be untouched since the fire started on the second floor (attic) and... Read More