Introducing Small Business Patch

The newly launched site offers tips, info and digital know-how for small business owners.

Patch has launched a new site to educate and empower small businesses with the digital tools, social media strategies and marketing know-how needed to ensure long-term growth. Readers will have access to exclusive interviews with well-known founders and CEOs and small business industry experts who share their experiences, advice and tips for success. One of the latest articles features an exclusive interview with successful real estate entrepreneur, Barbara Corcoran, founder of The Corcoran Group. In this Q&A, Corcoran discusses the how to take advantage of the size of a small businesses, and why making big “mistakes” made all the difference in her success. Click here to read about the tactics Corcoran used to grow her business. Additional…

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Is Massachusetts Bad for Business?

Results from a recent executive survey ranked Massachusetts 47th for business.

A CEO magazine ranks Massachusetts as one of the worst states in the nation for business. Chief Executive Magazine ranked Massachusetts 47th based on a survey of corporate leaders. Survey respondents reported the Bay State is one of the worst for taxation and regulation. The state Republican Party is pointing to the survey and saying that Gov. Deval Patrick and the Democratic-led Legislature are bad for the economy and business. What do you think about Massachusetts’ business climate? Is this a good state in which to do business?

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Steve Marino

3:30 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The may be the biggest story since watergate, and the New York Times had this story on page 10!   more ›

North Shore Biz Buzz: New Cotton Candy Options in Marblehead

Here's a round-up of business news from around the North Shore.

Here is a look at some recent business openings and happenings on the North Shore. Have you noticed a new shop and have been wondering what it is? Leave us a note in the comment section and we will check it out. Here's some good news for all you cotton candy fans out there. The Candy Pop Sweet Shoppe on Washington Street in Marblehead recently added cotton candy and candy-filled balloons to its inventory. And in other news, Lime Rickey's at Devereaux Beach just re-opened for the season. That new Qdoba Mexican Grill is planning to open in early June on Paradise Road and has a number of job openings to fill. Local developer Bob DeNisco is looking to breathe some new life into the rundown old L. Fine & Co. factory at 143 Lynnfield St. DeNisco…

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Marblehead Real Estate Topic Page

Every story we do on real estate in Marblehead (and that's a lot!) is gathered at this topic page, a one-stop shop for those interested in buying or selling in the Marblehead market.

North Shore Food Buzz: Palmers Marblehead Eyes Summer Opening

A round up of North Shore restaurant and food news.

When you're looking for a night out and a break from cooking, you might want to know what's new not only where you live, but also in other North Shore communities. Here's our round up of the area's latest food news: I've never thought of getting cotton candy outside of a state fair, but Washington Street's Candy Pop Sweet Shoppe has added more than a dozen flavors of the stuff. A big piece of news is that, come summer, Palmers at the Warwick is scheduled to open. The restaurant will be alongside a new movie theater. It will be a coastal outpost of the famous Palmers in Andover. The impresario behind it all, Chef John Palmers Ingalls, is a Swampscott native. Watch out, when you go through Peabody. You might get hit by one of the yogurt …

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North Shore Food Buzz: Yelp Says 5CK is Marblehead's Top Restaurant

A round up of North Shore restaurant and food news.

When you're looking for a night out and a break from cooking, you might want to know what's new not only where you live, but also in other North Shore communities. Here's our round up of the area's latest food news: Several North Shore Patch editors visited the Yelp sites for their communities and pulled together the top restaurants according to the anonymous, crowd-sourced review site. Take a look at the post for your community and see if you agree with the Yelp masses: Marblehead (Top restaurant: 5 Corners Kitchen) North Andover (Top restaurant: Sultan Mediterranean Cafe) Beverly (Top restaurant: Nick's Roast Beef) Danvers (Top restaurant: Nine Elm American Bistro) Peabody (Top restaurant: The Little Depot Diner) Salem (Top restaurant: …

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Via MHTV: Watch The 'State of the Town' Breakfast

MHTV recorded this year's "State of the Town," with addresses by Town Administrator Jeff Chelgren and State Rep. Lori Ehrlich, among others.

Did you miss this year's "State of the Town" breakfast? No worries, MHTV has you covered. This is the featured video of the month on the cable access channel's Website. The breakfast, sponsored by the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce, was held March 20 at The Landing. Perhaps the keynote is the address by Town Administrator Jeff Chelgren, in which he says the town's finances are "solid." But Chelgren isn't the only local leader to address the crowd in the attached video. You'll also hear from Jackie Belf-Becker, chairman of the Board of Selectmen; Cindy Latham, president of the Chamber of Commerce, State Sen. Tom McGee (D-Lynn) and State Rep. Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead). Ehrlich speaks about the big blow dealt to Footprint Power, the New …

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Selectmen Reluctantly Approve New Liquor License for Bankrupt Sweeney's Retreat

State ABCC board disagrees with Marblehead's decision not to grant new license to bankruptcy trustee. Selectman Judith Jacobi calls decision "wrong".

All four Selectmen said they did not like having to approve a new liquor license for the shuttered Sweeney's Retreat, but the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission gave the town few options. So the Selectmen voted unanimously Thursday night to grant the town's 20th liquor license to Harold Murphy, the bankruptcy trustee, charged with raising as much assets as possible from the closed restaurant to pay off the creditors. In February, the Selectmen voted unanimously to deny the new liquor license because there was no information about how the license would be used. "I think it is wrong," said Selectman Judith Jacobi. She said the town had fought similar state rulings before. She clearly wanted the town to appeal this decision.  The …

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Joe Whipple

5:54 pm on Friday, March 29, 2013

They're just trying to do their job in a way that makes sense. Do you want the Golden Banana or any other sleazy operator to be able to buy the license and set up shop? maybe you do, but there are lots of us who think that this town shouldn't be wide open for whoever is willing to shell out top dollar.   more ›

Sign of Spring: Beachside Restaurant Reopens in Neighboring Swampscott

A fresh fruit bar and a lactose/gluten/fat/cholesterol-free treat join the hot dogs, ice cream and yogurt line-up this season at Popo's Hot Dogs in Swampscott.

What with Tuesday's snow day and icy conditions on the roads this morning, it's easy to forget that today is the first day of spring. For a tangible sign that the season really is changing, Marbleheaders need look no further than the next town over. The open screen door and ice cream cone sign now hanging outside Popo's Hot Dogs signaled two things for the Swampscott landmark: spring is upon us and Popo's is open. Actually, the Humphrey Street restaurant has been open since March 9 — a welcome sign for hot dog aficionados and ice cream lovers. Store Manager Jackie Coppola said Popo's/Kell's Kreme is serving a relatively new product — it was introduced late last season — called Dole Whip. It tastes like a soft-serve sherbert and is lactose/…

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North Shore Food Buzz: Comella's Opens Soon, Kings Bowling Coming to North Shore

A round up of North Shore restaurant and food news.

When you're looking for a night out and a break from cooking, you might want to know what's new not only where you live, but also in other North Shore communities. Here's our round up of the area's latest food news: Italian food for a reasonable price in a family atmosphere might not be the most original restaurant idea — but it's working for the small Massachusetts chain Comella's. Their newest outpost is supposed to open any day on Atlantic Avenue. I can't think of bowling without it putting me in mind of my favorite movie, The Big Lebowski. Now we learn that the Kings coming to MarketStreet Lynnfield has been approved for an all-alcohol license. Which means you can order a Caucasian and toast The Dude at their bar when it opens in …

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